When he entered the drawing-room Lady Staveley was there, and the judge with his teacup beside him, and Augustus standing with his back to the fire. Felix walked up to the circle, and taking a chair sat down, but at the moment said nothing.
"You didn't get any wine after your day's toil, Master Graham," said the judge.
"Indeed I did, sir. We had some champagne."
"Champagne, had you? Then I ought to have waited for my guest, for I got none. You had a long day of it in court."
"Yes, indeed, sir."
"And I am afraid not very satisfactory." To this Graham made no immediate answer, but he could not refrain from thinking that the day, taken altogether, had been satisfactory to him.
And then Baker came into the room, and going close up to Lady Staveley, whispered something in her ear. "Oh, ah, yes," said Lady Staveley. "I must wish you good night, Mr. Graham." And she took his hand, pressing it very warmly. But though she wished him good night then, she saw him again before he went to bed. It was a family in which all home affairs were very dear, and a new son could not be welcomed into it without much expression of affection.
"Well, sir! and how have you sped since dinner?" the judge asked as soon as the door was closed behind his wife.
"I have proposed to your daughter and she has accepted me." And as he said so he rose from the chair in which he had just now seated himself.
"Then, my boy, I hope you will make her a good husband;" and the judge gave him his hand.