"I will see the young man. Show him up here," at length he said, abruptly.
The footman bowed and withdrew.
A few moments passed and the footman re-entered and announced:
"Mr. Scott," and withdrew.
The duke wheeled his chair around and looked at the visitor, who stood just within the door, bowing profoundly.
The newcomer was a youth of about fifteen years of age, tall, slight and elegant in form; fair, blue-eyed and light-haired in complexion; refined, graceful and self possessed in manner; and faultlessly dressed in deep mourning; but! how amazingly like the duke's own son, the young Marquis of Arondelle.
The duke's short survey of his visitor seemed so satisfactory that he arose and advanced to meet him, saying kindly:
"You wished particularly to see me, I understand, young gentleman. In what manner can I serve you?"
The youth bowed again with the deepest deference, and said:
"Thanks, your grace. I bring you a letter of introduction."