He remained for several minutes sipping it and looking thoughtfully into the fire.

He seemed to me to have aged by a dozen years.

The brisk alertness of his manner had all departed.

He was an old man, limp and querulous.
"This unfortunate affair, Mr.Ducaine," he said, looking up at last, "remains of course between ourselves and Ray--and the woman." "It is unnecessary for you to ask me that, sir," I answered quietly.
"Colonel Ray will doubtless have some explanation.

He is a man of vigorous temper, and I fancy that Lord Blenavon was not quite himself." The Duke rose to his feet.
"If you are ready, Angela," he said, "we will not detain Mr.Ducaine further." "You will allow me to walk with you to the house, sir," I begged.
He shook his head.
"I am quite recovered, I thank you," he said.