He was lividly pale, and his lip was caught up in a smile that could almost be called a snarl, of a sheer, arid malignity that appalled me and yet put me on my mettle for the encounter.

He looked me up and down, then bowed and took off his hat to me.
'My cousin, I presume ?' he said.
'I understand I have that honour,' I replied.
'The honour is mine,' said he, and his voice shook as he said it.
'I should make you welcome, I believe,' said I.
'Why ?' he inquired.

'This poor house has been my home for longer than I care to claim.

That you should already take upon yourself the duties of host here is to be at unnecessary pains.

Believe me, that part would be more becomingly mine.