Never had he looked stouter, more prepossessing, or blander than on this particular evening when Leonard was ushered into his presence.

He was standing before the fire in his drawing-room holding a huge and ancient silver loving-cup in both hands, and in such a position as to give the observer the idea that he had just drained its entire contents.

In reality, it may be explained, he was employed in searching for a hall-mark on the bottom of the goblet, discoursing the while to his wife and children--for Jane had a brother--upon its value and beauty.

The gleam of the silver caught Leonard's eye as he entered the room, and he recognised the cup as one of the heirlooms of his own family.
Leonard's sudden and unlooked-for advent brought various emotions into active play.

There were four people gathered round that comfortable fire--the rector, his wife, his son, and last, but not least, Jane herself.