At this most unpropitious moment Mr. Richard Hammond was announced and entered the room.
CHAPTER XX.
RIVALRY.
And he was jealous, tho’ he would not show it,
For jealousy dislikes the world to know it.—Byron.
For an instant the rivals glared at each other; and then remembering in whose presence they stood, they lowered their eyes.
Richard Hammond shook hands with his uncle and his Cousin Anna and then turned towards Alexander, and the kindness of his heart overcoming all his jealousy for the moment, he frankly held out his hand, saying:
“How do you do, Alick? I hope you are well!”
“Thanks, quite so,” returned Lyon, stiffly.
The general, a frank-hearted old soldier, did not like the reception that Alick had given Dick. He thought the successful rival, the accepted lover, the promised husband, might well afford to be more generous; and so to make up to Richard for the coldness of Alexander, he turned to the former and clapping him on the shoulder, exclaimed:
“Come, my boy! what are you standing there for? Sit down! sit down! and make yourself at home. Stay and dine with us. We shall be quite a family party!”