Endless anecdotes would they tell, and the old gaffers would shake their heads and sigh, and long for the sight of him again. And they would jerk their thumbs towards the Manor and shrug their old shoulders significantly. Who wanted Mr. Richard for squire? Not they, at least. They knew he was a good squire and a kindly man, but give them Master John, who would laugh and crack a joke and never wear the glum looks that Mr. Richard affected.
In the house, Richard Carstares paced to and fro in his library, every now and again pausing to glance wretchedly up at the portrait of his brother hanging over his desk. The artist had managed to catch the expression of those blue eyes, and they smiled down at Richard in just the way that John was always wont to smile-so gaily, and withal so wistfully.
Richard was twenty-nine, but already he looked twice his age. He was very thin, and there were deep lines on his good-looking countenance. His grey eyes bore a haunted, care-worn look, and his mouth, though well-shaped, was curiously lacking in determination. He was dressed soberly, and without that touch of smartness that had characterised him six years ago. He wore black in memory of his father, and it may have been that severity, only relieved by the lace at his throat, that made his face appear so prematurely aged.
There was none of his brother's boyishness about him; even his smile seemed forced and tired, and his laughter rarely held merriment. .
. .
He pulled out his chronometer, comparing it with the clock on the mantelpiece. His pacing took him to the door, and almost nervously he pulled it open, listening.
No sound came to his ears. Back again, to and fro across the room, eagerly awaiting the clanging of a bell. It did not come, but presently a footfall sounded on the passage without, and someone knocked at the door.
In two strides Richard was by it, and had flung it wide. Warburton stood there.
Richard caught his hand.
"Warburton! At last! I have been waiting this hour and more!"
Mr. Warburton disengaged himself, bowing.
"I regret I was not able to come before, sir," he said primly.
"I make no doubt you travelled back as quickly as possible-come in, sir."
He led the lawyer into the room and shut the door.
"Sit down, Warburton-sit down. You-you found my brother?"
Again Warburton bowed.
"I had the felicity of seeing his lordship, sir."
"He was well? In good spirits? You thought him changed-yes? Aged perhaps, or-"
"His lordship was not greatly changed, sir."
Richard almost stamped in his impatience.