"Fortescue, you here! I'm delighted to see you again; I thought I could not be mistaken." It was Captain Berington.
Kenneth was pleased to receive so friendly a recognition from an old acquaintance, whom he had never met since the day he had left Grantley Castle, after telling them the story of his life, so far as that story was then known to him. He knew more about his early life now; but he was not at all anxious to let his former friends hear what had come to his knowledge, and moreover, he felt that he was in one sense worse off than he had been before. Then he had a name which he thought he could call his own; now he was nameless.
However, he was glad to see Captain Berington again; doubly glad that Captain Berington seemed pleased to see him.
"Here's the train, Fortescue; let's get a carriage to ourselves, and then we can talk."
"I've a third-class ticket, unfortunately."
"Never mind; we can settle up with the ticket-collector. Here's an empty compartment. Get in."
"Where are you going, Berington?"
"Home. I'm awfully glad I met you. Now tell me all about yourself."
Captain Fortescue told him what he was doing, and mentioned that he was on his way to Eagleton Castle.
"What a terrible fire that was!" said Captain Berington. "It does seem an awful shame when old places like that are burnt. Vi was very worried over it. You see, Lord Derwentwater is Kenmore's half-brother, and Kenmore is heir to Eagleton."