“He is at breakfast.”
“Then say Mr Richard Cheveley has called, and begs to see him on an important matter.”
The footman gave an equivocal smile down at me, and went into the breakfast-room at one side of the Hall.
I heard a lady’s voice say—
“Oh! Do let him come in.”
The servant reappearing, showed me into the breakfast-room, in which several ladies were at one end of a well-covered table. Lady Knowsley was seated, presiding at the tea-urn, with several young ladies on either side, and Sir Reginald at the foot.
I made my bow as I entered. Lady Knowsley held out her hand without rising, and Sir Reginald turned partly round in his chair and gave me a nod, then went on eating his breakfast, while the young ladies smiled. The footman placed a chair for me in a vacant place at the table.
“You have had a long walk, and must be ready for breakfast,” said Lady Knowles, in a kind tone.
“Thank you, I took some on my way,” I answered, not wishing to loose time by having to repeat an operation I felt that I could not perform in the presence of so many young ladies with my accustomed appetite.
“You must have got up another appetite by this time,” observed Sir Reginald. “Come youngster! Here is an egg and some ham. Julia, cut him a slice of bread, and Lady Knowles will supply you with tea. Fall to, now, and let me see what sort of a man you are.”