"May I offer to shake hands with you, Uncle James? I hope we need not be enemies?"
A moment's hesitation, and Mr. Castlemaine shook the offered hand. It was next to impossible to resist the frank geniality; just the same frank geniality that had characterized Basil; and Mr. Castlemaine thawed a little.
"It appears to be a very strange thing that Basil should have remained stationary all those years in Franco; never once to have come home!"
"I have heard him say many a time, Uncle James, that he should never return until he returned to take possession of Greylands' Rest. And during the time of the great war travelling was dangerous and difficult."
"Neither could I have believed that he would have settled down so quietly. And to engage in commerce!"
"He grew to like the bustle of business. He had a vast capacity for business, Uncle James."
"No doubt; being a Castlemaine," was the answer, delivered with conscious superiority. "The Castlemaines lack capacity for nothing they may choose to undertake. Good-morning; and I wish you a better errand next time."
As Anthony Castlemaine, on departing, neared the gate leading to the avenue, he saw a young lady approaching it. A fisherman, to whom she was speaking, walked by her side. The latter's words, as he turned away, caught the ear of Anthony.
"You will tell the master then; please, Miss Castlemaine, and say a good word to him for me?"
"Yes, I will, Gleeson; and I am very sorry for the misfortune," the young lady answered. "Good-day."