For a moment Sir Reginald doubted his only half-awakened senses. Was that handsome oval face, with large, soft eyes, with such brilliant lips, and the dark-brown moustache, so fine, and silken, that had never known a razor, an unsubstantial portrait hung in the dim air, or his living son? There were perplexity and surprise in the old man's stare.
"I should have been here before, Sir, but your letter did not reach me until an hour ago," said Richard Arden.
"By heaven! Dick? And so you came! I believe I was asleep. Give me your hand. I hope, Dick, we may yet end this miserable quarrel happily. Father and son can have no real interests apart."
Sir Reginald Arden extended his thin hand, and smiled invitingly but rather darkly on his son. Graceful and easy this young man was, and yet embarrassed, as he placed his hand within his father's.
"You will take something, Dick, won't you?"
Sir Reginald was stealthily reading his face. At last he began circuitously--
"I've a little bit of news to tell you about Alice. How long shall I allow you to guess what it is?"
"I'm the worst guesser in the world--pray don't wait for me, Sir."
"Well, I have in my desk there--would you mind putting it on the table here?--a letter from Wynderbroke. You know him?"
"Well, Wynderbroke writes--the letter arrived only an hour ago--to ask my leave to marry your sister, if she will consent; and he says all he will do, which is very handsome--very generous indeed. Wait a moment. Yes, here it is. Read that."
Richard Arden did read the letter, with open eyes and breathless interest. The old man's eyes were upon him as he did so.
"There can be but one opinion about it. Nothing can be more handsome. Everything suitable. I only hope that Alice will not be foolish."
"She sha'n't be that, I'll take care," said the old man, locking down his desk again upon the letter.
"It might possibly be as well, Sir, to prepare her a little at first. I may possibly be of some little use, and so may Lady May. I only mean that it might hardly be expedient to make it from the first a matter of authority, because she has romantic ideas, and she is spirited."
"I'll sleep upon it. I sha'n't see her again till to-morrow evening. She does not care about anyone in particular, I suppose?"