“Ah, that I cannot tell until I see him.”
“Well, you will see him soon, as he is coming to stay here for a few days.”
“Stay here!” said Crispin in some surprise. “My dear Roylands, is not this a very sudden friendship?”
“Well, when a man asks another to his house to stay—to be introduced to his relatives—it is uncommonly like friendship.”
“I am not so conventional as most Englishmen,” said Maurice impatiently, “and therefore do not act by rule. I daresay I should have made inquiries about the past of this Greek before asking him to my house; but, as far as that goes, you are a riddle yourself.”
Crispin’s sallow cheek flushed at this home thrust, but he had great self-command, and replied quietly enough,—
“That is rather a hard thing to say of me. I thought you were my friend.”
“Pardon me, old fellow,” said Roylands penitently. “I did not mean to be so rude. I have an abominable temper, and should be kicked for saying such a thing in my own house.”
“I will let you off the kicking,” replied Crispin, recovering his good-humor. “As you very truly say, I am a riddle; but I will explain myself soon. Still, this Count Caliphronas”—
“I have a faint idea I have heard it before.”
“Most probably. I know the isles of Greece very well.”
“Ah, is that a quotation from Byron, or a pointed remark? In other words, is it serious or a chance shot?”
“The latter—I only quoted from ‘Don Juan.’ Why do you ask?”
“Because this Count does come from the isles of Greece. He says he was born in Ithaca.”
“Ah, he is not reticent about himself,” said Crispin dryly. “I will tell you what I think of him when I see him. At present I cannot recall the name precisely, though I fancy I have heard it before. Meanwhile, tell me all you know about him.”
“I am afraid that is but little. He arrived this morning at Roylands, with a letter of introduction to the Rector from the Archdeacon of Eastminster, and came to luncheon at the Rectory. During our conversation, he complained of how badly he was put up at the Royland Arms, and as I knew Carriston would ask him to stay at the Rectory, a thing I know he dislikes doing, as he hates strangers in his house, I took the bull by the horns, and asked Caliphronas to come here for a time. He accepted, and is coming with his traps this evening.”