The visitor made his way up the dark, narrow stair-case, and knocked as bidden.

A firm voice summoned him to enter.
From a seat by a table which was placed as near as possible to a very large fire rose a young man whose age might have been either twenty-three or twenty-six.

Most people would have inclined to give him the latter figure.

He was rather above the average stature, and showed well-hung limbs, with a habit of holding himself which suggested considerable toughness of sinews; he moved gracefully, and with head well held up.

His attire spoke sedentary habits; would have been decidedly shabby, but for its evident adaptation to easy-chair and fireside.