icle drew up, and there descended a young man of pale
countenance, his attire indicating long and hasty travel. He pulled
vigorously at the end of a hanging bell-chain, and the door was
immediately opened by a man-servant in black. Hubert, for he it was,
pointed to his trunk, and, whilst it was being carried into the house,
took some loose coin from his pocket. He handed the driver a sovereign.

'I have no change, sir,' said the man, after examining the coin. But
Hubert had already turned away; he merely waved his hand, and entered
the house. For a drive of two miles, the cabman held himself tolerably
paid.

The hall was dusky, and seemed in need of fresh air. Hubert threw off
his hat, gloves, and overcoat; then for the first time spoke to the
servant, who stood in an attitude of expectancy.

'Mrs. Eldon is at home?'

'At home, sir, but very unwell. She desires me to say that she fears she
may not be able to see you this evening.'

'Is there a fire anywhere?'

'Only in the library, sir.'

'I will dine there. And let a fire be lit in my bedroom.'

'Yes, sir. Will you dine at once, sir?'

'In an hour. Something light; I don't care what it is.'

'Shall the fire be lit in your bedroom at once, sir?'

'At once, and a hot bath prepared. Come to the library and tell me when
it is ready.'

The servant silently departed. Hubert walked across the hall, giving a
glance here and there, and entered the library. Nothing had been
altered here since his father's, nay, since his grandfather's time.
That grandfather--his name Hubert--had combined strong intellectual
tendencies with the extravagant tastes which gave his already tottering
house the decisive push. The large collection of superbly-bound books
which this room contained were nearly all of his purchasing, for prior
to his time the Eldons had not been wont to concern themselves with
things of the mind. Hubert, after walking to the window and looking
out for a moment on the side lawn, pushed a small couch near to the
fireplace, and threw himself down at full length, his hands beneath his
head. In a moment his position seemed to have become uneasy; he turned
upon his side, uttering an exclamation as if of pain. A minute or two
and again he moved, this time with more evident impatience. The next
thing he did was to rise, step to the bell, and ring it violently.

The same servant appeared.

'Isn't the bath ready?' Hubert asked. His former mode of speaking had
been