The latter was a young man seemingly of about twenty-four or twenty-five years of age. He had a mild but noble bearing, and his aspect denoted habitual meditation. His eyes were remarkably piercing and expressive; in short, he was one of those men at whom we are led involuntarily to cast a glance of respect, without very well knowing why; perhaps it might be owing to the gravity of his demeanour, perhaps to the peculiar decorum of his deportment, or perhaps to the scrupulous propriety of his dress. He raised his eyes from the book he held in his hand, and gazed tranquilly at the three figures who had so abruptly interrupted his reveries.
"May I inquire," said he, "to what we owe this intrusion on our privacy, gentlemen?"
"We have to apologise for our rudeness," said Fritz; "but are you not the Rev. Mr. Wolston?"
"My name is Charles Wolston, and I am a minister of the gospel, and missionary of the church."
"Then, sir," continued Fritz, "I am the bearer of a message from your father."
"From my father!" exclaimed the missionary, starting up; "you come then from the Pacific Ocean?"
Here the second gentleman raised his head, and looked as if he had just awakened from a dream. He gazed at the speakers with a puzzled air.
"Do you know me, captain?" said Willis.