CHAPTER FIFTEEN.
FALLEN IN A HOLE.
Mrs Scarfe and her son arrived a day or two later at Wildtree Towers.
Jeffreys, who from the recesses of a bay window was an unseen witness of the arrival, saw at a glance that his forebodings were too true.

Scarfe had changed somewhat since we saw him at Bolsover fifteen months ago.
He was older and better-looking and wore a trim black moustache.

His dress was in the best Oxford style; and in his easy, confident carriage there remained no trace of the overgrown schoolboy.

His mother, a delicate-looking widow lady, returned Mrs Rimbolt's greeting with the eagerness of an old friend, and introduced her son with evident pride.
It was hopeless for Jeffreys to think of avoiding a recognition for long.

Still, he anxiously put off the evil hour as long as possible.
The first afternoon and evening this was not difficult, for the travellers had made a long journey and retired early.