"He is not seeing any other callers.

He left word, however, that you were to be shown in the moment you arrived." "His lordship is quite well, I hope ?" "Well in health, sir, but worried, and I don't wonder at it," the man replied, speaking with the respectful freedom of an old servant.

"I never thought I'd live to see such times as these." A man in the early sixties, still good-looking, notwithstanding a somewhat worn expression, looked up from his seat at the library table on Kingley's entrance.

He nodded, but waited until the door was closed behind the retreating servant before he spoke.
"Good of you to come, Nigel," he said.

"Bring your chair up here." "Bad news ?" the newcomer enquired.
"Damnable!" There was a brief silence, during which Nigel, knowing his uncle's humours, leaned back in his chair and waited.