"In a minute, papa. Please let me finish my orange."
She was pushing the quarters of an orange into her month with the silver fork. Just then Miles came into the room and addressed his master.
"You are wanted, sir, if you please."
"Who is it?" asked Mr. Castlemaine.
"I don't know, sir. Some oldish gentleman; a stranger. He asked----"
The man's explanation was cut short by the appearance of the visitor himself; who had followed, without permission, from the room to which he had been shown: a tall, erect, elderly man, attired in an ample blue coat and top-boots. His white hair was long, his dark eyes were keen. The latter seemed to take in the room and its inmates; his glance passing rapidly from each to each, as he stood holding his broad-brimmed hat and his stout walking-stick. Ethel knew him. instantly for the stranger who had entered the Dolphin Inn while she was helping Mrs. Bent with the raisins an hour, or so, ago: and the probability was that he recognized her, for his eyes rested on her for a few seconds.
Mr. Castlemaine had risen. He went a step or two forward as if about to speak, but seemed to be uncertain. The stranger abruptly forestalled him.
"Do you know me, James Castlemaine?"
"Why--yes--is it not Squire Dobie?" replied Mr. Castlemaine, holding out his hand.
"Just so," replied the stranger, keeping his hands down. "Perhaps you won't care to take my hand when you know that I have come here as a foe."