"No, Sir," returned Margaret in some surprise.
"What have they been doing all the afternoon, in there—uncle and the young fellow. Eh?"
"I dare say they have been reading, Sir," said Margaret, "my uncle was alone when I last saw him."
"Reading—bah!" said Mr. Casement; "I say, it is my belief that the young fellow is going to be married; eh?" And Mr. Casement stirred the fire, and watched her countenance by the blaze.
"It may be, Sir," said Margaret, with a quiet smile. "I am not in the secret."
"My old woman has got the rheumatism, so I am come to dine here," said Mr. Casement.
Margaret said she was sorry Mrs. Casement was suffering, and then there was a pause. Margaret played with her greyhound, and Mr. Casement whistled softly, and very much out of tune.
Mr. Haveloc was the first to make his appearance, he came up in a quiet serious manner to Margaret; apologized for being late, and said, that he had also to answer for Mr. Grey's delay, since he had detained him in the library talking of his affairs.
"I should not wonder if he had been gambling," said Mr. Casement in a soliloquy.