The judge found Miss Avon somewhat distraite after dinner that night. He became pensive in consequence. He wondered if she thought him elderly.
He did not mind in the least growing old, but the idea of being thought elderly was abhorrent to him.
The next day Beatrice and her father returned to their cottage at the other side of the lough.
CHAPTER XXV.—ON THE SOCIAL VALUE OF THE REPROBATE.
SOMETHING remarkable had occurred. Lord Fotheringay had been for a fortnight under one roof without disgracing himself.
The charitable people said he was reforming.
The others said he was aging rapidly.
The fact remained the same, however: he had been a fortnight at the Castle and he had not yet disgraced himself.