Miss Derwent mentioned his father, declared an interest in Jerome Otway, and this was a subject on which Piers could always discourse to friendly hearers.

This evening he did so with exceptional fervour, abounded in reminiscences, rose at moments to enthusiasm.

His companions were impressed; to Irene it was an unexpected revelation of character.

She had imagined young Otway dry and rather conventional, perhaps conceited; she found him impassioned and an idealist, full of hero-worship, devoted to his father's name and fame.
"And he lives all the year round in that out-of-the-way place ?" she asked.

"I must make a pilgrimage to Hawes.