Nina reascended the steps, and stood looking apprehensively towards the horseman, who approached every moment nearer. Harry came up on the veranda, and stood a little behind her. In a few moments the horse was up before the steps.
"Hallo, there!" said the rider. "Come, take my horse, you rascal!"
Harry remained perfectly still, put his arms by his side, and stood with a frowning expression on his forehead.
"Don't you hear?" said the horseman, throwing himself off, with an oath. "Come here, boy, and take my horse!"
"For pity's sake," said Nina, turning and looking in Harry's face, "don't have a scene here! Do take his horse, quick! Anything to keep him quiet!"
With a sudden start, Harry went down the steps, and took the bridle from the hand of the newly-arrived in silence.
The horseman sprang up the steps.
"Hallo, Nin, is this you?" And Nina felt herself roughly seized in the arms of a shaggy great-coat, and kissed by lips smelling of brandy and tobacco. She faintly said, as she disengaged herself,—
"Tom, is it you?"