"Glad to be home again, Kate! You don't mind a cold kiss, do you? Let me present an old friend whom you don't expect, I'll wager."
The gentleman behind him came forward. A gentleman neither very young, nor very handsome, nor very tall; at once plain-looking and proud-looking. The pale twilight was bright enough for Kate to recognize him as he took off his hat.
"Sir Ronald Keith!" she cried, intense surprise in every line of her face; "why, who would have thought of seeing you in Canada?"
She held out her hand frankly, but there was a marked air of restraint in Sir Ronald's manner as he touched it and dropped it again.
"I thought it would be an astonisher," said her father; "how are Grace and Eeny?"
"Very well."
"And Rose? Has Rose got home?"
"Yes, papa."
At this juncture Ogden appeared, and his master turned to him.
"Ogden, see that Sir Ronald's luggage is taken to his room, and then hold yourself in readiness to attend him. This way, Sir Ronald, there is just time to dress for dinner, and no more."