They had often heard of him--too often, in their opinion.

Aware of his arrival at Naples, they had expressed no wish to see him.

Still, now that he met them in this unexpected way, they could not but assume friendliness.
Jacob, not on the whole intolerant, was willing enough to take "the lad" on his present merits; Reuben had the guise and manners of a gentleman, and perhaps was grown out of his reprobate habits.

Mr.
Bradshaw and his wife could not but notice Cecily's agitation at the meeting; they exchanged wondering glances, and presently found an opportunity for a few words apart.

What was going on?
How had these two young folks become so intimate?
Well, it was no business of theirs.
Lucky that Mrs.Baske was one of the company.
And why should Cecily disguise that now only was her enjoyment of the day begun--that only now had the sunshine its familiar brightness, the ancient walls and ways their true enchantment?
She did not at once become more talkative, but the shadow had passed utterly from her face, and there was no more listlessness in her movements.
"I have stopped here on my way to join Mallard," was all Reuben said, in explanation of his presence.
All kept together.