Lester almost fell back in his seat—not that he cared to meet Hal, but he had an instinctive dread of encountering Hugh Riversdale.
The latter had bidden him beware of their third encounter. It had now come to pass; what would be its result?
He clenched his hands firmly, and set his teeth together, but sought to make his face wear a cold, passionless expression.
Mr. Wilton motioned to his visitors to be seated. The eyes of both fell glittering upon Lester Vane; but they made no remark. They took their seats; and Mr. Wilton asked to what he had the honour of attributing the visit of Mr. Riversdale. He added, with a somewhat gracious manner—
“I rather anticipated the pleasure of seeing Mr. Vivian before this. I should have called upon or written to him, but I had not his new address.”
Vivian bowed, but made no reply.
“Mr. Wilton,” said Mr. Riversdale, “you are well acquainted, as a matter of course, with the unhappy circumstances connected with Mr. Grahame’s family; I need not, therefore, allude to them. I have sought you, sir, with a twofold purpose; firstly, to inform you that, as the husband of the late Mr. Grahame’s eldest daughter, I have taken upon myself the task of arranging her father’s affairs. I am aware that all his property is deeply mortgaged, and that he was largely indebted to a gentleman named Gomer, who still holds in possession the next house, and all it contains. Mr. Gomer is, I believe, the mortgagee, and I wish to ask a favour of you”——
At this instant, Lester Vane rose to leave the room, as though the business, being evidently private, it became him not to remain and listen.
Hugh Riversdale rose up too, and, with a stern look and voice, said——
“Be seated, sir. You are one of the objects of my visit here, and I cannot permit you to depart until I have stated it.”