CHAPTER X.


LEON

For some time after Miss Plympton's departure Sir Lionel remained buried
in thought. At length he rang the bell.

A servant appeared.

"Is Captain Dudleigh here yet?" asked Sir Lionel.

"Yes, Sir Lionel."

"Tell him that I want to see him."

The servant departed, and in a short time the door opened and a young
man entered. He was tall, muscular, well-formed, and with sufficient
resemblance to Sir Lionel to indicate that he was his son. For some time
Sir Lionel took no notice of him, and Captain Dudleigh, throwing himself
in a lounging attitude upon a chair, leaned his head back, and stared at
the ceiling. At length he grew tired of this, and sitting erect, he
looked at Sir Lionel, who was leaning forward, with his elbow on the arm
of his chair, supporting his head in his hand, and evidently quite
oblivious of the presence of any one.

"Did you wish to see me, Sir?" said Captain Dudleigh at length.

Sir Lionel started and raised his head.