The tramping of horse hoofs in the court-yard was soon followed by
steps along the corridor, and the servant ushered Captain Carroll
into the presence of his master. The Captain did not remove his
military overcoat, but remained standing erect in the centre of the
room, with his forage cap in his hand.
"I could have given you a lift from the station," said Prince, "if
you had come that way. I've only just got in myself."
"I preferred to ride," said Carroll, dryly.
"Sit down by the fire," said Prince, motioning to a chair, "and dry
yourself."
"I must ask you first the purport of this interview," said Carroll,
curtly, "before I prolong it further. You have asked me to come
here in reference to certain letters I returned to their rightful
owner some months ago. If you seek to reclaim them again, or to
refer to a subject which must remain forgotten, I decline to
proceed further."
"It DOES refer to the letters, and it rests with you whether they
shall be forgotten or not. It is not my fault if the subject has
been dropped. You must remember that until yesterday you have been
absent on a tour of inspection and could not be applied to before."
Carroll cast a cold glance at Prince, and then threw himself into a
chair, with his overcoat still on and his long military boots
crossed before the fire. Sitting there in profile Prince could not
but notice that he looked older and sterner than at their last
interview, and his cheeks were thinned as if by something more than
active service.
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