What an eager face it was! Eagerness, indeed, seemed to be the note of the whole man, of the quick eyes and mouth, the flexible hands and energetic movements.
Even the straight, stubbly hair, its owner's passing torment, standing up round the high, open brow, seemed to help the general impression of alertness and vigor.
'Your mother, I hear, is already there ?' said Catherine.
'Yes.

My poor mother!' and the young man smiled half sadly.

'It is a curious situation for both of us.

This living which has just been bestowed on me is my father's old living.

It is in the gift of my cousin, Sir Mowbray Elsmere.