Richard and Arthur

It was not a common occurrence for a visitor to present himself at
Collingwood at so early an hour as that in which Arthur St. Claire
rung for admittance, and Victor, who heard the bell, hastened in
some surprise to answer it, "Tell Mr. Harrington a stranger wishes to see him," said Arthur,
following the polite valet into the library, where a fire was
slowly struggling into life.

"Yes, sir. What name?" and Victor waited for a moment, while
Arthur hesitated, and finally stammered out: "Mr. St. Claire, from Virginia."

Immediately Victor withdrew, and seeking his master, delivered the
message, adding that the gentleman seemed embarrassed, and he
wouldn't wonder if he'd come to borrow money."

"St Claire--St. Claire," Richard repeated to himself. "Where have
I heard that name before? Somewhere, sure."

"He called himself a stranger," returned Victor, adding that a
youth by that name was visiting at Brier Hill, and it was probably
of him that Mr. Harrington was thinking, "It may be, though I've no remembrance of having heard that fact,"
returned Richard; "but, lead on," and he took the arm of Victor,
who lead him to the library floor and then, as was his custom,
turned away.

More than once during the rapid journey, Arthur had half resolved
to turn back and not run the fearful risk of being recognized by
Richard Harrington, but the remembrance of Edith's mute distress
should he return alone, emboldened him to go on and trust to
Providence, or, if Providence failed, trust to Richard's
generosity not to betray his secret. He heard the uncertain
footsteps in the hall, and forgetting that the eyes he so much
dreaded could not see, he pulled his coat collar up around his
face so as to conceal as much of it as possible.