He rang the bell furiously.
A strange footman appeared promptly enough, but without the indignation a 'London Jeames' would have manifested at a summons so rough and impatient; for natheless his irreproachable livery and powdered hair, he had been born and bred in the East Neuk of Fife, and had no 'West-End' airs about him.
'All are strangers now hereabout,' thought Roland, who was about to enter, when the man distinctly barred his way.
'Name, sir, please?' said he.
'Is Miss Maude—Miss Lindsay, I mean—at home?'
'No, sir; out riding.'
'Your mistress, then?' said Roland sharply.
'Yes, sir—if you will give me a card.'
'Card, ha!' exclaimed Roland, losing his temper now, and with fury blazing in his dark eyes. 'Say that Captain Lindsay has arrived!'
On this the valet—Tom Trotter by name—threw the door wide open, with a grin of welcome not unmingled with astonishment and alarm, and Roland found himself again under the roof of Earlshaugh.