Nevertheless, he entertained the little party with many stories.
He struggled all the time against that queer sensation of anachronism which now and then became almost oppressive.
The Professor's pleasure at finding himself once more amongst these familiar surroundings was obvious and intense.

The conversation between him and his brother never flagged.

There were tenants and neighbours to be asked after, matters concerning the estate on which he demanded information.

Even the very servants' names he remembered.
"It was a queer turn of fate, George," he declared, as he held out before him a wonderfully chased glass filled with amber wine, "which sent you into the world a few seconds before me and made you Lord of Ashleigh and me a struggling scientific man." "The world has benefited by it," Lord Ashleigh remarked, with more than fraternal courtesy.

"We hear great things of you over here, Edgar.