His lordship laughed, and his face cleared instantly.
“No,” he said; “I am both Archibald Sherbrooke and Lord Carrol. I am troubled with a plurality of names, which frequently cause mistakes, some of which are ludicrous, and some—painful.”
This last statement was supplemented with a heavy sigh.
“But,” he added, more lightly, “I will shake hands with you over either,” and he extended his hand again.
But Ralph would not take it.
He drew back a step, and bent a perplexed look upon his companion’s face.
“Pardon me again,” he said; “but before I take your hand, allow me to ask you a single question.”
“Certainly; a dozen if you like,” Lord Carrol answered, haughtily, for Ralph’s refusal to take his hand had hurt him keenly.
“You have been in America?”
“Yes.”