"Yes," said Mr. Leicester, and, stooping, stepped into the room. "I'm afraid I'm too early," he said, shaking hands with Mrs. Mildmay and the captain. "But I thought if I left it till the middle of the day it would be too hot, and if I left it till the evening it would be too near dinner, and that after dinner——"
"We should be all asleep," said Violet, quietly.
"Exactly," assented Mr. Leicester, gravely.
"We are very glad to see you at any time," said Mrs. Mildmay. "And I think it is very kind of you to take the trouble on such a warm day, to come and see Violet's dog; poor fellow! we cannot think what ails his leg."
"We shall perhaps be able to find out," said Mr. Leicester.
"Will you take a cup of coffee?" asked Violet.
"Yes, I will, please," he said. "Coffee is a good antidote to the heat, is it not, Captain Murpoint?"
"Yes," said the captain, who had taken the opportunity to scrutinize the young man's face during the exchange of remarks; "yes, with a little curry powder added. We used to take it with chillies every morning at Madras."
Mr. Leicester sipped his coffee and chatted in his grave way; then, when the coffee had disappeared, Violet rose to conduct him to the stables.