After a few commonplace remarks, he asked:
"When is Mr. Murray coming home?"
"I have no idea. Even his mother is ignorant of his plans."
"How long has he been absent?"
"Four years to-day."
"Indeed! so long? Where is he?"
"I believe his last letter was written at Edfu, and he said nothing about returning."
"What do you think of his singular character?"
"I know almost nothing about him, as I was too young when I saw him to form an estimate of him."
"Do you not correspond?"