The signature seemed to indicate that Mr. Fane was not always implicitly obeyed by his children.
He remained sitting when Farquhar was announced, and looked as forbidding as possible. Farquhar bowed, and looked as pleasant as possible. The interview promised to be unconventional.
“You are Noel Farquhar?”
“That’s my name, sir,” said Farquhar, always particularly respectful to an elderly man.
“You write to me that you have made some alterations in my cottages at Burnt House,” continued old Fane, referring to a letter in his hand.
“I have, sir; and I hope you will forgive my officiousness in acting without your leave.”
“I understand that you have put in a copper.”
“It hasn’t damaged the property; I’ll answer for that; and it was pretty badly wanted. If you’d looked at the place yourself—”
“Where is the copper set?”
“As a lean-to on the last house.”