is guests. He asked no questions, made no suggestions, and retired
into the library the moment the meal was over for his daily perusal of
the _Times_. Here for the first time he discovered the inconvenience of
the novel interruption to his solitude, for the newspaper was missing
from its accustomed place, and, on ringing to make inquiries, he was
informed that Mr Melland had carried it off to the billiard-room.

"Tell Mr Melland, with my compliments, I should be obliged if he would
allow me to have it for the next hour--and order two copies for the
future," he said grimly.

And five minutes later Jack appeared in person the bearer of the
newspaper and frank apologies.

"I'm really awfully sorry! I did not know you had not seen it. Would
you care for me to read aloud any article? I should be glad to be of
use."

"Thank you. My eyes are still quite useful. I prefer to read for
myself."

Jack had the good sense to depart without further protest, and Mr
Farrell stretched himself on his big chair with a sigh of relief. He
took no pleasure in his guests, whose bright young presence depressed
him by reviving memories of happier days. If it had not been for the
necessity of choosing an heir, he would have cherished his solitude as
his dearest possession. He congratulated himself, however, that by
reserving one room for his own use he could be still safe from
interruption, and, turning to a leading article, read the first few
paragraphs with leisurely enjoyment. The writing was excellent, the
views irreproachable, in that they exactly coincided with his own. He
turned with anticipatory pleasure to the article next in order, when the
sound of a light tap-tap came to the door, and Ruth appeared upon the
threshold, blushing shyly.

"Uncle Bernard, Mrs Wolff says that you always read the _Times_ after
luncheon... Would it be any help if I read aloud what you wish to hear?
Sometimes, when pater is tired--"

"I am obliged to you. I require no help of the sort. Is there any
other subject on which you wished to speak to me?"

The tone was so suggestive of concealed wrath that Ruth quailed before
it, and the faltering "No" was hardly audible across the room. Mr
Farrell lifted the paper from his knee so that his face was hidden from
view.

"Then you will forgive my remarking that I prefer to be undisturbed. We
shall meet in the drawing-room for tea."

Ruth shut the door, advanced a few steps into the hall, an