colour of her cheek told a tale of her anger which her sister well
knew how to read. Then there was a knock at the door, and they both
knew that Colonel Osborne was there. Louis Trevelyan, sitting in
his library, also knew of whose coming that knock gave notice.




CHAPTER II

COLONEL OSBORNE


It has been already said that Colonel Osborne was a bachelor, a man
of fortune, a member of Parliament, and one who carried his half
century of years lightly on his shoulders. It will only be necessary
to say further of him that he was a man popular with those among
whom he lived, as a politician, as a sportsman, and as a member
of society. He could speak well in the House, though he spoke but
seldom, and it was generally thought of him that he might have been
something considerable, had it not suited him better to be nothing
at all. He was supposed to be a Conservative, and generally voted
with the conservative party; but he could boast that he was altogether
independent, and on an occasion would take the trouble of proving
himself to be so. He was in possession of excellent health; had all
that the world could give; was fond of books, pictures, architecture,
and china; had various tastes, and the means of indulging them,
and was one of those few men on whom it seems that every pleasant
thing has been lavished. There was that little slur on his good
name to which allusion has been made; but those who knew Colonel