Mannering instantly paused and explained.

'He was,' he said, 'a stranger to whom Mr.Bertram had formerly shown kindness and hospitality; he would not have intruded himself upon him at a period of distress, did it not seem to be in some degree a moment also of desertion; he wished merely to offer such services as might be in his power to Mr.Bertram and the young lady.' He then paused at a little distance from the chair.

His old acquaintance gazed at him with lack-lustre eye, that intimated no tokens of recognition; the Dominie seemed too deeply sunk in distress even to observe his presence.

The young man spoke aside with Miss Bertram, who advanced timidly, and thanked Colonel Mannering for his goodness; 'but,' she said, the tears gushing fast into her eyes, 'her father, she feared, was not so much himself as to be able to remember him.' She then retreated towards the chair, accompanied by the Colonel.
'Father,' she said, 'this is Mr.Mannering, an old friend, come to inquire after you.' 'He's very heartily welcome,' said the old man, raising himself in his chair, and attempting a gesture of courtesy, while a gleam of hospitable satisfaction seemed to pass over his faded features; 'but, Lucy, my dear, let us go down to the house; you should not keep the gentleman here in the cold.

Dominie, take the key of the wine-cooler.