"No," answered his wife.
"Who the deuce is he?"
"I forget his name," replied Hesper, in the tone of one bored by question. "He used to come to Durnmelling."
"That is no reason why he should not have a name to him."
Hesper did not reply. Tom went on playing. The moment he struck the last chord, she called to him in a clear, soft, cold voice:
"Will you tell Mr. Redmain your name? I happen to have forgotten it."
Tom picked up his hat, rose, came forward, and, mentioning his name, held out his hand.
"I don't know you," said Mr. Redmain, touching his palm with two fingers that felt like small fishes.
"It is of no consequence," said his wife; "Mr. Aylmer is an old acquaintance of our family."
"Only you don't quite remember his name!"