He was rather a tall man, with white hair, but with eyebrows and
moustache of jet-black. His eyes were brilliant but sharp, and he moved
with the ease and alertness of youth.
There was something in his face, in its expression, which indicated
strength and power; something in his manner, in his smile, peculiarly
electric and sympathetic.
Howard stopped and drew back, but Stafford advanced, and Sir Stephen
caught him by the hand and held it.
"My dear Stafford, my dear boy!" he said, in a deep but musical voice.
"I expected you hours ago; I have been waiting! But better late than
never. Who is this? Your friend, Mr. Howard? Certainly! How do you do,
Mr. Howard! Welcome to our little villa on the lake!"
CHAPTER VI
Stafford's heart warmed at his father's greeting; indeed it would have
been a very callous heart if it had not; for the emotion of genuine
affection shone in Sir Stephen's brilliant eyes, and rang in his
musical voice. Stafford was all the more impressed and touched, because
the emotion was unusual, or rather, the expression of it.
This is a "casual" age, in which a man parts from or meets his
relations and friends with the real or assumed indifference which is
ordained by fashion.
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