And then the still figure of the old man before the fire became suddenly vitalized.

He sat up abruptly and seized with impatience a small hand-bell from the table beside him.
David made his discreet appearance with the coffee almost at the first tinkle.
"Coffee!" his master flung at him.

"And fetch Master Piers!" David set down the tray at his master's elbow, and turned to obey the second behest.

But the door of the drawing-room opened ere he reached it, and Piers came out.

His dark eyes were shining.