"Maybe, but I fancy I know ye just a little too well to believe any cock-and-bull story I'm told about ye. And even if I had been fool enough to have believed it, do ye think I'd be going back on ye? Sure, 'tis a poor friend I'd be!"
Jack stared down at the toe of his right boot in silence.
"I know something more than we guessed happened at that same party, and I have me suspicions, but 'tis your affair, and whatever ye did ye had your reasons for. But, Jack, why in the name of wonder must ye fly off to the devil alone knows where, without so much as a good-bye to anyone?"
Carstares never raised his eyes from the contemplation of that boot. He spoke with difficulty.
"Miles—in my place—would you not have done the same?"
"Well—"
"You know you would. Was it likely that I should inflict myself on you at such a time? What would you have thought of me had I done so?"
O'Hara brought his hand down smartly on the other's knee.
"I'd have thought ye less of a young fool! I would have gone away with ye, and nothing would have stopped me!"
Jack looked up and met his eyes.
"I know," he said. "'Twas the thought of that—and—and—I could not be sure. How should I know whether you would even receive me? Last night—last night—I was horribly afraid...."
The hand on his knee tightened.
"Ye foolish boy! Ye foolish boy!"
Bit by bit he drew the story of the past six years out of Carstares, and though it was a very modified version, Miles understood his friend well enough to read between the lines.
"And now," said Jack, when the recital was over, "tell me about yourself. When did you marry the attractive lady whom I have just been kissing?"
"Ye rogue! I married Molly three years ago. 'Tis a real darling she is, isn't she? And upstairs there's a little chap—your godson."
"You lucky fellow! My godson, you say? Could you not find anyone more worthy for that? I want to see him."
"So ye shall presently. Have ye seen Richard?"
"A year ago I held up his coach. 'Twas dark, and I could scarce see him, but I thought he seemed aged."
"Aged! Ye wouldn't be afther knowing him! 'Tis an old man he is. Though I swear 'tis no wonder with that hussy about the house! Lord, Jack, you were well out of that affair with her ladyship!"
Carstares nursed his foot reflectively.
"Lavinia? What ails her?"
"Nought that I know of, save it be her shrewish temper. 'Tis a dog's life she leads poor Dick."
"Do you mean to say she does not love Dick?"
"I cannot say—sometimes she's as affectionate as you please, but at others she treats him to a fine exhibition of rage. And the money she spends! Of course, she married him for what she could get. There was never anything else to count with her."
Jack sat very still.
"And anyone but a young fool like yourself would have seen that!"
A gleam of amusement shot into the wistful blue eyes.
"Probably. Yourself, for instance?"
O'Hara chuckled.
"Oh, ay, I knew! 'Twas the money she was after all along; and now there's not so much, it seems, as Dick won't touch a penny that belongs to you."
"M'm. Warburton told me. Foolish of him."
A grunt was the sole response.
Jack's eyes narrowed a little as he gazed out of the window. "So Lavinia never cared? Lord, what a mix-up! And Dick?"
"I'm afraid he still does."
"Poor old Dick! Devil take the woman! Does she bully him? I know what he is—always ready to give in."
"I am not so sure. Yet I'll swear if 'twere not for John his life would be a misery. He misses you, Jack."
"Who is John?"
"Did not Warburton tell you? John is the hope of the house. He's four and a half, and as spoilt a little rascal as you could wish for."
"Dick's child? Good Lord!"
"Ay, Dick's child and your nephew." He broke off and looked into the other's face. "Jack, cannot this mystery be cleared up? Couldn't ye go back?" He was clasping Jack's hand, but it was withdrawn, and the eyes looking down into his were suddenly bored and a little cold.
"I know of no mystery," said Carstares.
"Jack, old man, will ye be afther shutting me out of your confidence?"
A faint, sweet smile curved the fine lips.
"Let us talk of the weather, Miles, or my mare. Anything rather than this painful subject."
With an impatient movement O'Hara flung back his chair and strode over to the window with his back to my lord. Jack's eyes followed him seriously.
"If ye cannot trust me, sure I've no more to say, thin!" flashed O'Hara. "It seems ye do not value your friends too highly!"
My lord said never a word. But the hand that rested on the desk clenched suddenly. O'Hara wheeled about and came back to his side.
"Sure, Jack, I never meant that! Forgive me bad temper!"
Carstares slipped off the table and straightened himself, linking his arm in the Irishman's.
"Whisht, Miles, as you'd say yourself," he laughed, "I know that. 'Tis not that I don't trust you, but—"
"I understand. I'll not ask ye any more about it at all. Instead, answer me this: what made ye come out with unloaded pistols?"
The laugh died out of Carstares' face.
"Oh, just carelessness!" he answered shortly, and he thought of the absent Jim with a tightening of the lips.
"'Twas that very same reason with meself thin!" Jack stared at him.
"Miles, don't tell me yours were unloaded, too?"
"'Deed an' they were! Ecod, Jack! 'tis the best joke I've heard for a twelvemonth." They both started to laugh. "Sure 'twas bluff on my part, Jack, when I told ye yours was unloaded. And me lady was determined to set you free from the moment I told her all about it this morning. We were sure ye were no ordinary highwayman, though I was a fool not to have known ye right away. But now I have found ye out, ye'll stay with us—Cousin Harry?"
"I cannot thank you enough, Miles, but I will not do that. I must get back to Jim."
"And who the devil is Jim?"
"My servant. He'll be worried nigh to death over me. Nay, do not press me, I could not stay here, Miles. You must see for yourself 'tis impossible—Jack Carstares does not exist; only Anthony Ferndale is left."
"Jack, dear man, can I not—"
"No, Miles, you can do nothing, though 'tis like you to want to help, and I do thank you. But—oh well! ... What about my mare?"
"Plague take me if I'd not forgotten! Jack, that scoundrel of mine let her strain her fetlock. I'm demmed sorry."
"Poor Jenny! I'll swear she gave him an exciting ride, though."
"I'll be trying to buy her off ye, Jack, if I see much of her. 'Tis a little beauty she is."
"I'm not selling, though I intended to ask you to keep her, if—"
A quick pressure on his arm arrested him.
"That will do! I'm too heavy for her anyway."
"So was that devil of a groom you put on her."
"Ay. I'm a fool."
"I always knew that."
"Whisht now, Jack! Ye'll have to take one of my nags while she heals, if ye won't stay with us. Can ye trust her to me for a week, do ye suppose?"
"I don't know. It seems as though I must—oh, I retract, I retract. You are altogether too large, the day is too hot, and my cravat too nicely tied—Egad, Miles! I wish—oh, Iwishwe were boys again, and—Yes. When may I see your son and heir?"
"Sure, ye may come now and find Molly, who'll be aching for the sight of you. Afther you, Sir Anthony Ferndale, Bart!"
Late that afternoon Carstares left Thurze House on one of his friend's horses. He waved a very regretful farewell to O'Hara and his lady, promising to let them know his whereabouts and to visit them again soon. O'Hara had extracted a solemn promise that if ever he got into difficulties he would let him know:
"For I'm not letting ye drift gaily out of me life again, and that's flat."
Jack had assented gladly enough—to have a friend once more was such bliss—and had given Miles the name of the inn and the village where he would find him, for O'Hara had insisted on bringing the mare over himself. So Carstares rode off to Trencham and to Jim, with the memory of a very hearty handshake in his mind. He smiled a little as he thought of his friend's words when he had shown himself reluctant to give the required promise:
"Ye obstinate young devil, ye'll do as I say, and no nonsense, or ye don't leave this house!"
For six years no one had ordered him to obey; it had been he who had done all the ordering. Somehow it was very pleasant to be told what to do, especially by Miles.
He turned down a lane and wondered what Jim was thinking. That he was waiting at the Green Man, he was certain, for those had been his orders. He was annoyed with the man over the incident of the pistols, for he had inspected them and discovered that they were indeed unloaded. Had his captor been other than O'Hara, on whom he could not fire, such carelessness might have proved his undoing. Apart from that, culpable negligence always roused his wrath. A rather warm twenty minutes was in store for Salter.
For quite an hour Carstares proceeded on his way with no mishaps nor adventures, and then, suddenly, as he rounded a corner of a deserted road—little more than a cart-track—an extraordinary sight met his eyes. In the middle of the road stood a coach, and by it, covering the men on the box with two large pistols, was a seedy-looking ruffian, while two others were engaged in what appeared to be a life-and-death struggle at the coach-door.
Jacked reined-in his horse and rose in his stirrups to obtain a better view. Then his eyes flashed, and he whistled softly to himself. For the cause of all the turmoil was a slight, graceful girl of not more than nineteen or twenty. She was frenziedly resisting the efforts of her captors to drag her to another coach, further up the road. Jack could see that she was dark and very lovely.
Another, elderly lady, was most valiantly impeding operations by clawing and striking at one of the men's arms, scolding and imploring all in one breath. Jack's gaze went from her to a still, silent figure at the side of the road in the shadow of the hedge, evidently the stage-manager. "It seems I must take a hand in this," he told himself, and laughed joyously as he fixed on his mask and dismounted. He tethered his mount to a young sapling, took a pistol from its holster, and ran softly and swiftly under the lea of the hedge up to the scene of disaster, just as the man who covered the unruly and vociferous pair on the box made ready to fire.
Jack's bullet took him neatly in the neck, and without a sound he crumpled up, one of his pistols exploding harmlessly as it fell to earth.
With an oath the silent onlooker wheeled round to face the point of my lord's gleaming blade.
Carstares drew in his breath sharply in surprise as he saw the white face of his Grace of Andover.
"Damn you!" said Tracy calmly, and sprang back, whipping out his own rapier.
"Certainly," agreed Jack pleasantly. "On guard, M. le Duc!"
Tracy's lips curled back in a snarl. His eyes were almost shut. Over his shoulder he ordered curtly:
"Keep watch over the girl. I will attend to this young jackanapes."
On the word the blades clashed.
Jack's eyes danced with the sheer joy of battle, and his point snicked in and out wickedly. He knew Tracy of old for an expert swordsman, and he began warily.
The girl's persecutors retained a firm hold on either arm, but all their thoughts were centred on the duel. The men on the box got out their blunderbuss, ready to fire should the need arise, and the girl herself watched breathlessly, red lips apart, and eyes aglow with fright, indignation, and excitement. As for the old lady, she positively bobbed up and down shrieking encouragement to Carstares.
The blades hissed continuously against one another; time after time the Duke thrust viciously, and ever his point was skilfully parried. He was absolutely calm, and his lips sneered. Who it was that he was fighting, he had not the faintest idea; he only knew that his opponent had recognised him, and must be speedily silenced. Therefore he fought with deadly grimness and purpose. Carstares, on the other hand, had no intention of killing his Grace. He had never liked him in the old days, but he was far too good-natured to contemplate any serious bloodshed. He was so used to Tracy's little affairs that he had not been filled with surprise when he discovered who the silent figure was. He did not like interfering with Belmanoir, but, on the other hand, he could no more stand by and see a woman assaulted than he could fly. So he fought on with the idea of disarming his Grace, so as to have him at a disadvantage and to be able to command his withdrawal from the scene. Once he feinted cleverly, and lunged, and a little blood trickled down over the Duke's hand. No sign made Belmanoir, except that his eyelids flickered a moment and his play became more careful.
Once the Duke thrust in tierce and Jack's sword arm wavered an instant, and a splash of crimson appeared on his sleeve. He, for the most part, remained on the defensive, waiting for the Duke to tire. Soon his Grace's breath began to come unevenly and fast, and beads of moisture started on his forehead. Yet never did the sneer fade nor his temper go; he had himself well in hand, and although his face was livid, and his brain on fire with fury, no trace of it showed itself in his sword-play.
Then Carstares changed his tactics, and began to put into practice all the arts and subtleties of fence that he had learnt abroad. He seemed made of steel and set on wires, so agile and untireable was he. Time after time he leapt nimbly aside, evading some wicked thrust, and all the while he was driving his Grace back and back. He was not panting, and now and again he laughed softly and happily. The blood from the wound on his arm was dripping steadily on to the ground, yet it seemed to Tracy to affect him not at all. But Jack himself knew that he was losing strength rapidly, and must make an end.
Suddenly he feinted, and fell back. Tracy saw his advantage and pressed forward within the wavering sword-point.
The next instant his sword was whirled from his grasp, and he lay on the ground, unhurt but helpless, gazing up at the masked face and at the shortened rapier. How he had been thrown he did not know, but that his opponent was a past master in the art of fence he was perfectly sure.
My lord gave a little chuckle and twisted a handkerchief about his wounded arm.
"I am aware, m'sieur, that this is most unusual—and, in duels—forbidden. But I am sure that milor' will agree that the circumstances are also—most unusual—and the odds—almost overwhelming!" He turned his head to the two men, one of whom released his hold on the girl's arm and started forward.
"Oh, no!" drawled my lord, shaking his head. "Another step and I spit your master where he lies."
"Stand," said his Grace calmly.
"Bien! Throw your arms down here at my feet, and—ah—release Mademoiselle!"
They made no move to obey, and my lord shrugged deprecatingly, lowering his point to Tracy's throat.
"Eh bien!"
They still hesitated, casting anxious glances at their master. "Obey," ordered the Duke.
Each man threw down a pistol, eyeing Jack furtively, while the girl ran to her aunt, who began to soothe and fuss over her.
Jack stifled a yawn.
"It is not my intention to remain here all night. Neither am I a child—or a fool.Dépêchez!"
Belmanoir saw that the coachman had his blunderbuss ready and was only too eager to fire it, and he knew that the game was up. He turned his head towards the reluctant bullies who looked to him for orders.
"Throw down everything!" he advised.
Two more pistols and two daggers joined their comrades.
"A thousand thanks!" bowed my lord, running a quick eye over the men. "M. le Duc, I pray you be still. Now, you with the large nose—yes,mon ami, you—go pick up the pistol our defunct friend dropped."
The man indicated slouched over to the dead body and flung another pistol on to the heap.
My lord shook his head impatiently.
"Mais non. Have I not said that I am not entirely a fool? The unexploded pistol, please. You will place it here,doucement.Very good."
His eye travelled to the men on the box. The coachman touched his hat and cried:
"I'm ready, sir!"
"It is very well. Be so good as to keep these gentlemen covered, but do not fire until I give the order. And now, M. le Duc, have I your parole that you will return swiftly from whence you came, leaving this lady unmolested, an I permit you to rise?"
Tracy moved his head impatiently.
"I have no choice."
"Monsieur, that is not an answer. Have I your parole?"
"Yes, curse you!"
"But certainly," said Jack politely. "Pray rise."
He rested his sword-point on the ground, and watched Tracy struggle to his feet.
For an instant the Duke stood staring at him, with face slightly out-thrust.
"I almost think I know you," he said softly, caressingly.
Jack's French accent became a shade more pronounced.
"It is possible. I at least have the misfortune to know monsieur by sight."
Tracy ignored the insult, and continued very, very silkily:
"One thing is certain: I shall know you again—if I meet you!"
Even as the words left his mouth Jack saw the pistol in his hand and sprang quickly to one side, just in time to escape a shot that would have gone straight through his head. As it was, it caught him in his left shoulder.
"Do not fire!" he called sharply to the coachman, and bowed to his Grace. "As I was saying, m'sieu—do not let me detain you, I beg."
The Duke's green eyes flashed venom for a minute, and then the heavy lids descended over them again, and he returned the bow exaggeratedly.
"Au revoir, monsieur," he smiled, and bent to pick up his sword.
"It will—not be necessary for—m'sieu to—take his sword," said Jack. "I have a—desire to keep—it as a—souvenir. Yes."
"As you will, monsieur," replied Tracy carelessly, and walked away to his coach, his men following close on his heels.
My lord stood leaning heavily on his sword, watching them go, and not until the coach had swung out of sight did he give way to the weakness that was overwhelming him. Then he reeled and would have fallen, had it not been for two cool hands that caught his, steadying him.
A tremulous, husky voice sounded in his ears:
"You are hurt! Ah, sir, you are hurt for my sake!"
With a great effort Jack controlled the inclination to swoon, and lifted the girl's hand shakily to his lips.
"It is a—pleasure—mademoiselle," he managed to gasp. "Now—you may—I think—proceed—in safety."
Diana slipped an arm under his shoulder and cast an anxious glance at the footman, hurrying towards them.
"Quick!" she commanded. "Sir, you are faint! You must allow my servant to assist you to the coach."
Jack forced a smile.
"It is—nothing—I assure you—pray do not—I—" and he fainted comfortably away into stout Thomas's arms.
"Carry him into the coach, Thomas!" ordered the girl. "Mind his arm, and—oh! his poor shoulder. Aunt, have you something to bind his wounds with?"
Miss Betty hurried forward.
"My darling child, what an escape! The dear, brave gentleman! Do have a care, Thomas! Yes, lay him on the seat."
My lord was lowered gently on to the cushions, and Miss Betty fluttered over to him like a distracted hen. Then Diana told Thomas to take charge of my lord's horse that they could see, quietly nibbling the grass further down the road, stooped and picked up his Grace of Andover's sword, with its curiously wrought hilt, and jumped into the coach to help Miss Betty to attend to Jack's wounds.
The slash on the arm was not serious, but where the pistol had taken him was very ugly-looking. While she saw to that, Miss Betty loosened the cravat and removed my lord's mask.
"Di, see what a handsome boy 'tis! The poor, brave gentleman! What a lucky thing he came up! If only this bleeding would stop!" So she ran on, hunting wildly for her salts.
Diana looked up as her aunt finished, and studied the pale face lying against the dark cushions. She noted the firm, beautifully curved mouth, the aristocratic nose and delicately pencilled eyebrows, with a little thrill. The duel had set her every nerve tingling; she was filled with admiration for her preserver, and the sight of his sensitive, handsome countenance did nothing to dispel that admiration.
She held the salts to his nostrils and watched eagerly for some sign of life. But none was forthcoming, and she had to be content with placing cushions beneath his injured shoulder, and guarding him as best she might from the jolts caused by the uneven surface of the road.
Miss Betty bustled about and did all she could to stanch the bleeding, and when they had comfortably settled my lord, she sat down upon the seat opposite and nodded decisively.
"We can do no more, my dear—but, yes—certainly bathe his forehead with your lavender water. Dear me, what an escape! I must say I would never have thought it of Mr. Everard! One would say we were living in the Stone Age! The wretch!"
Diana shuddered.
"I knew he was dreadful, but neverhowdreadful! How can he have found out when we were to leave Bath—and why did he waylay us so near home? Oh, I shall never be safe again!"
"Nonsense, my dear! Fiddlesticks! You saw how easily he was vanquished. Depend upon it, he will realise that he has made a bad mistake to try to abduct you, and we shall not be worried with him again."
With this comfortable assurance, she nodded again and leant back against the cushions, watching her niece's ministrations with a professional and slightly amused air.
My lord came sighing back to life. He opened his eyes wearily, and turned his head. A faint feeling of surprise stole over him. He was in a room he had never been in before, and by the window, busy with some needlework, sat a little old lady who was somehow vaguely familiar.
"Who—are—you?" he asked, and was annoyed to find his voice so weak.
The little lady jumped, and came across to him.
"Praise be to God!" she ejaculated. "Likewise, bless the boy! The fever is passed." She laid a thin hand on his brow, and smiled down into his wondering eyes.
"As cool as a cucumber, dear boy. What a mercy!"
It was a long time since anyone had called Jack dear, or boy. He returned the smile feebly and closed his eyes.
"I—do not—understand—anything," he murmured drowsily.
"Never trouble your head then. Just go to sleep."
He considered this gravely for a moment. It seemed sensible enough, and he was so very, very tired. He shut his eyes with a little sigh.
When he awoke again it was morning of the next day, and the sun streamed in the window, making him blink.
Someone rustled forward, and he saw it was the lady who had called him dear and bidden him go to sleep.
He smiled, and a very thin hand came out of the bedclothes.
"But who are you?" he demanded a little querulously.
Miss Betty patted his hand gently.
"Still worrying your poor head over that? I am Di's Aunt Betty—though, to be sure, you don't know who Di is!"
Remembrance was coming back to my lord.
"Why—why—you are the lady in the coach!—Tracy—I remember!"
"Well, I know nought of Tracy, but I'm the lady in the coach."
"And the other—"
"That was Diana Beauleigh, my niece—the pet. You will see her when you are better."
"But—but—where am I, madam?"
"Now don't get excited, dear boy!"
"I'm thirty!" protested Jack with a wicked twinkle.
"I should not have thought it, but thirty's a boy to me, in any case!" retorted Miss Betty, making him laugh. "You are in Mr. Beauleigh's house—Di's father, and my brother. And here you will stay until you are quite recovered!"
Jack raised himself on his elbow, grimacing at the pain the movement caused him.
"Egad, madam! have I been here long?" he demanded.
Very firmly was he pushed back on to his pillows.
"Will you be still? A nice thing 'twould be if you were to aggravate that wound of yours! You will have been here a week to-morrow. Bless my heart, what ails the boy?" For Jack's face took on an expression of incredulous horror.
"Aweek, madam? Never say so!"
"'Tis as true as I stand here. And a nice fright you have given us, what with nearly dying, and raving about your Dicks and your Jims!"
My lord glanced up sharply.
"Oh! So I—talked?"
"Talk? Well, yes, if you can call all that mixture of foreign jargon talking. Now you must be still and wait till the doctor comes again."
For a while Carstares lay in silence. He thought of Jim and smiled a little. "I could not have thought of a better punishment had I tried," he told himself, and then frowned. "Poor fellow! He'll be off his head with fright over me. Miss—er—Betty?"
"Well, and are you not asleep yet?"
"Asleep, Madam? Certainly not!" he said with dignity. "I must write a letter."
"'Deed, an' you shall not!"
"But I must! 'Tis monstrous important, madam."
She shook her head resolutely.
"Not until Mr. Jameson gives permission," she said firmly.
Jack struggled up, biting his lip.
"Then I shall get up!" he threatened.
In an instant she was by his side.
"No, no! Now lie down and be good!"
"I will not lie down and be good!"
"Then I shan't let you touch a pen for weeks!"
Jack became very masterful and frowned direfully upon her.
"Madam, I insist on being allowed to write that letter!"
"Sir, I insist on your lying down!"
He controlled a twitching lip.
"Woe betide you unless you bring me pen and paper, Miss Betty!"
"But, dear boy, reflect! You could not use your arm."
"I will use it!" replied Jack indomitably, but he sank back on to the pillows with his eyes closed and a tiny furrow of pain between his straight brows.
"I told you so!" scolded Miss Betty, not without a note of triumph in her voice, and proceeded to rearrange the disorderly coverlet.
The blue eyes opened wide, pleadingly.
"Madam, indeed 'tis very important."
She could not withstand that look.
"Well," she compromised, "I'll not let you write yourself, that's certain—but could you not dictate to me?"
Jack brightened, and caught her hand to his lips.
"Miss Betty, you are an angel!" he told her.
"Ah now, get along with you!" She hurried away to fetch paper and ink.
When she returned she found him plucking impatiently at the sheet, and frowning.
"I am ready," she said.
"Thank you, madam. 'Tis very kind in you—"
"Nonsense!"
He laughed weakly.
"I want you to write to my servant, to bid him bring my baggage to the nearest inn—"
"That will I not! I shall tell him to bring it here."
"But, Miss Betty, I cannot possibly trespass upon—"
"Will you have done? Trespass indeed!"
"I perceive I shall be much put upon," sighed Jack, and watched her lightning smile.
"You BOY! Will you dictate?"
"Very well, ma'am. No, I have changed my mind. I'll have it writ to a friend, please: 'Dear Miles.... True to my promise.... I write to you.... In case ... you should be worried ... over my disappearance ... be it known ... that I am at'—pray, madam, where am I?"
"Horton Manor, Littledean," she replied, writing it down.
"Thank you. 'I had the misfortune to injure my shoulder in a—"
"'And arm,'" put in the scribe, inexorably.
"'And arm, in a fight ... and a certain very ... kind lady—'"
"I refuse to write that rubbish! 'One of the ladies whom I rescued—'"
"Good heavens, madam, you've not put that?" cried Jack horrified.
She smiled reassuringly.
"I have not. I have put: 'My nurse is writing this for me.'"
"Madam, you are of a teasing disposition," reproved my lord. "M—yes—'When you take Jenny—over to Trencham ... will you please tell Jim to bring my baggage ... here at once?' Have you that, Miss Betty?"
"Yes."
"Remember me to Lady ... Molly, I beg ... and accept my apologies ... and thanks.'" He paused. "Will you sign it J.C., please, and address it to Sir Miles O'Hara, Thurze House, Maltby?"
"Sir Miles O'Hara! Is he your friend, Mr.—Mr.—I do not know your name."
"Car—" began Jack, and stopped, biting his lip. "Carr," he continued imperturbably, "John Carr. Do you know O'Hara, Miss Betty?"
"Me? No! Will he come to see you, do you think?"
"If you let him in, madam!"
"Gracious! Well, well! I'll tell Thomas to ride over with this at once."
"Miss Betty, you are marvellously good. I vow I can never thank—"
"Bless the boy! And what about yourself, pray? I shudder to think of what might have happened to Di if you had not come up! 'Tis we can never thank you enough."
Jack reddened boyishly and uncomfortably.
"Indeed, you exaggerate—"
"Tut, tut! Well, go to sleep, and never worry about anything till I return. And you won't try and get up?"
He shook with laughter.
"I swear I will not! Even an you never return, I will lie here, wasting away—" But he spoke to space, for with a delighted laugh she had left the room.
It was not until late that afternoon that O'Hara arrived, and he was conducted, after a brief conversation with Diana and her father, to my lord's room, where Miss Betty received him with her cheery smile and jerky curtsey.
"You'll not excite Mr. Carr?" she said, but was interrupted by my lord's voice from within, weak but very gay.
"Come in, Miles, and never listen to Miss Betty! She is a tyrant and denies me my wig!"
O'Hara laughed in answer to Miss Betty's quizzical smile, and strode over to the bed. He gripped my lord's thin hand and frowned down at him with an assumption of anger.
"Young good-for-nought! Could ye find nought better to do than to smash yourself up and well-nigh drive your man crazy with fright?"
"Oh, pshaw! Did you find Jim?"
O'Hara looked round and saw that Miss Betty had discreetly vanished. He sat gingerly down on the edge of the bed.
"Ay. I took the mare over as soon as I had your letter—and a fine scare you gave me, Jack, I can tell you! She recognised him, and I accosted him."
"I'll swear you did not get much satisfaction from Jim!" said my lord. "Did he look very foolish?"
"To tell ye the truth, I thought the man was half daft, and wondered whether I'd been after making a mistake. But in the end I got him to believe what I was trying to tell him, and he has taken the mare, and will bring your baggage along this evening. By the way, John, I told him of our little meeting, and of your pistols being unloaded. He said 'twas his fault, and ye never saw aught to touch his face! Put out was not the word for it."
"I suppose so. Look here, Miles, this is a damned funny affair!"
"What happened to you exactly?"
"'Tis what I am about to tell you. After I had left you, I rode on quite quietly for about an hour, and then came upon Miss Beauleigh's coach stopped by three blackguards who were trying to drag her to another coach belonging to the gentleman who conducted the affair. So, of course, I dismounted, and went to see what was to be done."
"Youwouldbe after poking your nose into what didn't concern ye. Four men, and ye had the audacity to tackle them all? 'Tis mad ye are entirely!"
"Of course, if you had been in my place you would have ridden off in another direction—or aided the scoundrels?" was the scathing reply.
O'Hara chuckled.
"Well, go on, Jack. I'm not saying I don't wish I had been with ye."
"'Twould have been superb. I suppose Miss Beauleigh has told you most of the tale, but there is one thing that she could not have told you, for she did not know it: the man I fought with was Belmanoir."
"Thunder and turf! Not the Duke?"
"Yes. Tracy."
"Zounds! Did he know ye?"
"I cannot be certain. I was masked, of course, but he said he thought he did. 'Twas at that moment he fired his pistol at me."
"The dirty scoundrel!"
"M'm—yes. 'Tis that which makes me think he did not know me. Damn it all, Miles, even Tracy would not do a thing like that!"
"Would he not? If ye ask me, I say that Tracy is game enough for any kind of devilry."
"But, my dear fellow, that is too black! He could not try to kill in cold blood a man he had hunted with, and fenced with-and—and—no man could!"
O'Hara looked extremely sceptical.
"Because ye could not yourself, is not to say that a miserable spalpeen like Belmanoir could not."
"I don't believe it of him. We were always quite friendly—if it had been Robert now—But I am not going to believe it. And don't say anything to these people, O'Hara, because they do not know Devil. I gather from what Miss Betty says, that he calls himself Everard. He met the girl—Diana—at Bath; you know his way. She'd none of him: hence the abduction."
"Heavens, but 'tis a foul mind the man's got!"
"Where women are concerned, yes. Otherwise—'tis not such a bad fellow, Miles."
"I've no use for that kind of dirt myself, Jack."
"Oh, I don't know. I daresay we are none of us exactly saints." He changed the subject abruptly. "How is Jenny?"
"Rather off her feed; missing you, I expect. I left her with your man. He should be arriving soon, I should think. I don't fancy he'll waste much time."
"Neither do I. Poor fellow, he must have worried terribly over his worthless master."
"Sure, his face was as white as your own when I told him ye were wounded!"
Carstares turned his head quickly.
"What's this about my face? Just be so kind as to hand me that mirror, Miles."
O'Hara laughed and obeyed, watching my lord's close scrutiny of his countenance with some surprise.
"Interesting pallor, my dear friend, interesting pallor. Nevertheless, I am glad that Jim is on his way." He met O'Hara's eyes as he looked up, and his lips quivered irrepressibly.
"You think me very vain, Miles?"
"Is it a pose of yours, John? Is it Sir Anthony Ferndale, Bart?"
"No. I believe it is myself. You see, when one has but one's self to live for and think for—one makes the most of one's self! Hence my vanity. Take the mirror away, please—the sight of my countenance offends me!"
"Sure, ye are free with your orders, me lord!" said O'Hara, putting the glass down on the table. "And, while I think of it—what might your name be now?"
"John Carr—a slip of the tongue on my part, stopped in time. I hear my mentor returning—and—Miles!"
"Well?"
"Come again!"
"Come again! My dear boy, ye'll be sick of the sight of me soon! I shall be here every day."
"Thanks! It will take a good deal to sicken me, I think." He bit his lip, turning his head away as Miss Betty came into the room.
"I'm afraid that you ought to leave my patient now, Sir Miles," she said. "He has had enough excitement for one day, and should sleep." She glanced at the averted head inquiringly. "I doubt he is tired?"
Jack turned and smiled at her.
"No, Miss Betty, I'm not. But I know you will refuse to believe me."
"My dear boy, do you know you have black lines beneath your eyes?"
"More remarks about my face!" he sighed, and glanced at O'Hara, who had risen.
"You are quite right, Miss Beauleigh, I must go. May I come again to-morrow?"
"Surely," she beamed. "We shall be delighted to welcome you."
O'Hara bent over the bed.
"Thenau revoir, Jack. My lady sent her love to her 'Cousin Harry'—the saucy puss!"
"Did she? How prodigious kind of her, Miles! And you'll give her mine, and kiss her—"
"Yes?" said O'Hara with dangerous calm. "I'll kiss her what?"
"Her hand for me!" ended Carstares, bubbling over. "Good-bye, and thank you—"
"That will suffice!" said Miles, cutting him short.
He bowed to Miss Betty and left the room.
The business-like little lady fluttered over to the bedside and rearranged the pillows.
"Well, and are you satisfied?"
"Madam, most extraordinarily so, I thank you. I shall be getting up soon."
"H'm!" was all she vouchsafed, and left him to his meditations.
As she had foreseen, he dozed a little, but his shoulder would not allow him to sleep. He lay in a semi-comatose condition, his eyes shut, and a deep furrow, telling of pain, between his brows.
The sound of a shutting door made him open his eyes; he turned his head slightly and saw that Jim Salter was standing in the middle of the room looking at him anxiously.
My lord returned his gaze crossly, and Jim waited for the storm to break.
Carstares' heart melted, and he managed to smile.
"I'm monstrous glad to see you, Jim," he said.
"You—you can't mean that, sir! 'Twas I left your pistols unloaded."
"I know. Damned careless of you, but it's the sort of thing I should do myself, after all."
Jim advanced to the bedside.
"Do you mean you forgive me, sir?"
"Why, of course! I could not have fired on my best friend in any case."
"No, sir, but that don't make it any better."
"It doesn't, of course, and I was rather annoyed at the time—Oh, devil take you, Jim, don't look at me like that! I'm not dead yet!"
"If—if you had been killed, sir—'twould have been my fault."
"Rubbish! I'd a sword, hadn't I? For heaven's sake don't worry about it any more! Have you brought all my baggage?"
"Yes, sir. It shan't occur again, sir."
"Certainly not. Jenny is well?"
"Splendid, sir. Will you still trust me with your pistols, sir?"
Carstares groaned.
"Will you have done? 'Twas an accident, and I have forgotten it. Here's my hand on it!" He grasped Jim's as he spoke, and seemed to brush the whole subject aside.
"Have you disposed of that horrible coat you tried to make me wear the other day?"
"I gave it to the landlord, sir."
"I should have burned it, but perhaps he liked it."
"He did, sir. Will you try to go to sleep now?"
"If you had a shoulder on fire and aching as mine does, you wouldn't ask such a ridiculous question," answered Jack snappishly.
"I'm sorry, sir. Is there aught I can do?"
"You can change the bandages, if you like. These are prodigious hot and uncomfortable."
Without another word Salter set about easing his master, and he was so painstaking and so careful not to hurt the ugly wound, and his face expressed so much concern, that Carstares controlled a desire to swear when he happened to touch a particularly tender spot, and at the end rewarded him with a smile and a sigh of content.
"That is much better," he said. "You have such a light touch, Jim."
The man's face reddened with pleasure, but he said nothing, and walked away to the window to draw the curtains.
After Jim's arrival my lord recovered quickly, each day making great progress, much to the doctor's satisfaction, who never tired of telling Mr. Beauleigh and Miss Betty that it was entirely owing to his treatment that the patient had recovered at all. As his idea of treatment mainly consisted of copiously bleeding John, which process Miss Betty very soon put an end to, he and she had many arguments on the subject, in which he was completely routed. She held that Mr. Carr was well on the strength of her nursing and his own constitution—and very probably she was right. In any case, hardly a fortnight after O'Hara's first visit, my lord was standing before his mirror, surveying himself, with his head speculatively on one side and a worried look in his eyes. Salter watched him anxiously, knowing this to be a critical moment. His master was somewhat of an enigma to him; the important things in life never appeared to affect him, but over a question of two cravats as opposed to each other, or some equally trivial matter, he would become quite harassed.
After contemplating his appearance for several moments, Carstares frowned and looked over his shoulder.
"I have changed my mind, Jim. I will wear blue after all." Salter sighed despairingly.
"Ye look very well in what ye have on, sir," he grunted. Jack sat down obstinately.
"I have conceived a dislike—nay, a veritable hatred—for puce. I will wear blue."
"Now, sir, do ha' done changing your clothes! Ye'll be tired out before ever ye get downstairs, and ye know what the doctor said."
My lord consigned the doctor and his words of wisdom to a place of great heat.
"Ay, sir, but—"
"The doctor is a worthy individual, Jim, but he knows even less of the art of dressing than you do. He does not understand the soul-agony of a man who makes his first appearance in puce."
"But—"
"The blue coat laced with gold."
"Sir—"
"I order it! I insist; the blue coat or nought!"
"Very well, sir." Resignedly Jim walked to the cupboard.
When at length his lordship was dressed to his entire satisfaction it was midway through the hot June afternoon, and Miss Betty was tapping at the door, wishing to know whether Mr. Carr was coming down, or whether he was not.
Carstares shifted his sling, and taking up his hat, moved just a little shakily to the door.
Salter opened it, and cast a triumphant glance at Miss Betty, as though he were showing off all my lord's graces. He proffered an arm.
"Shall I help ye, sir?"
Miss Betty curtsied low.
"La, Mr. Carr!"
John bowed profoundly.
"Give ye good den, madam," he said. "I am just about to descend. Thank you, Jim." He leaned heavily on the man's arm.
Miss Betty walked round him admiringly.
"Lud! 'Tis mighty elegant, I vow! But I protest, I am shy!"
"Egad, Miss Betty! and why?"
"You are not so young as I imagined," she replied candidly.
"Bear in mind, madam, that I never sought to deceive you. I am an aged man."
"Thirty!" she scoffed, and went on ahead. "Come, child, and mind the first step!"
At the bottom of the staircase stood Mr. Beauleigh, a man of medium height, thin-lipped and grey-eyed. He came forward with one hand outstretched.
"I am delighted to see you so much better, sir. I trust your shoulder no longer pains you?"
My lord pushed Jim gently to one side and placed his hand in Mr. Beauleigh's.
"I thank you, sir, it is almost well. But for Miss Betty, who, I fear, has the makings of a true tyrant, I should not wear this obnoxious sling."
Mr. Beauleigh smiled a little.
"Ah, yes, she keeps us all in order, does Betty. Pray, will you not walk a little in the garden? There are chairs on the lawn—and here is my daughter."
He waved to the door, and Carstares, turning, beheld Diana.
She stood framed by the dark wood, gowned in amber silk, with old lace falling from her elbows and over the bosom of her dress. Her hair was dark as night, with little tendrils curling over her broad, white brow. One rolling curl fell over her shoulder, the rest were gathered up under a small lace cap, which was secured by means of a riband passed beneath her chin.
Jack gazed, and gazed again, and in her turn Diana studied him with wide brown eyes of almost childlike innocence. Then her lids fluttered and curling lashes veiled the glorious depths, as a slow blush mounted to her cheeks.
My lord recovered his manners and made his most approved leg as her father presented him.
"My love, this is Mr. Carr—"
Diana sank into a curtsey.
"—and, Mr. Carr, this is my daughter, Diana."
"I am delighted to make Miss Beauleigh's acquaintance," said John, and raised her hand to his lips.
The delicate, tapering fingers trembled a little in his hold, and tremulous lips parted in the shyest and most adorable smile that he had ever seen.
"Indeed, sir, we are already acquainted. I am not like to forget my rescuer."
"I am happy to think that I was able to be of some service to you, mademoiselle. Believe me, it was an honour to fight in your cause." His eyes were on the fascinating dimple that played about her mouth.
"'Tis very kind of you to say so, sir. I fear we greatly incommoded you—and—" She made a gesture towards his sling.
"That, mademoiselle, is less than nothing. All the obligation is on my side."
Miss Betty bustled forward.
"Now that will do! I never heard such a foolish set of compliments! You are looking tired, Mr. Carr; come into the garden and rest."
Salter stepped forward, but Diana stayed him with uplifted finger.
"If Mr. Carr will accept my arm?" she hazarded.
Jack flushed.
"Indeed, no, Miss Beauleigh—I can—"
"Oh, tut-tut!" cried Miss Betty. "Have done dilly-dallying! Take him out, Di!"
Mr. Beauleigh had already disappeared. His world lay in his library, and he was never far from it for any length of time. Now he had seized the moment when his sister was not looking to withdraw quietly, and, when she turned round, she was only in time to see the library door close softly.
"Your papa has gone again," she remarked to her niece. "What a trying man he is, to be sure!"
She followed the pair out on to the lawn, and helped to make Carstares seat himself in a long chair under a great elm. A cushion was placed under his wounded shoulder and another at his back.
"And are you sure that you are quite comfortable?" inquired Miss Betty, anxiously bending over him.
Jack laughed up at her.
"Quite sure, thank you, madam. But where will you sit?"
"I shall sit in this chair, and Di will sit on a cushion"—throwing one down—"at my feet—so."
"I see that you are all ruled with a rod of iron, mademoiselle," he said, and watched the dimple tremble into being.
"Indeed, yes, sir. 'Tis very sad."
Miss Betty chuckled, and unrolled a packet of silks which she threw into her niece's lap.
"Will you have the goodness to sort those for me, love?" she asked, taking out her embroidery.
"Pray allow me to assist!" pleaded John.
Diana rose and planted her cushion down beside his chair. She then knelt down upon it and emptied the multi-coloured strands on to his knee.
"Very well! You must be very careful to separate the different pinks, though. See, we will have the rose here, the salmon here, the deeper rose here, the pale pink over there, and the reds—there is no more room—we will put the reds in this paper."
"Certainly," agreed Carstares. "Are we to leave the other colours until the pinks are sorted?"
She nodded and bent her head over the silks.
"Is Sir Miles coming this afternoon, Mr. Carr?"
"Why yes, Miss Betty—now you mention it, I remember that he is. Miss Beauleigh, I defy you to put that one on the rose pile; 'tis a shade too deep."
"I am sure 'tis not! Where is one to compare with it?"
Carstares produced a long thread and held it next to hers. The two heads were bent close over it. Diana sighed.
"You are right; I can just see the difference. But 'tisveryslight!"
Miss Betty peeped over their shoulders.
"Gracious, what an eye you must have! I can detect no difference." Her eye ran along the row of silks laid out on my lord's white satin leg.
"Mr. Carr," said Diana suddenly, "I want to ask you something—something that has been puzzling me."
"Faith, what is it, Miss Beauleigh?"
"Just this: why did you call Mr. Everard M. le Duc?"
There was a tiny pause. My lord looked down into the gold-flecked eyes and frowned a little.
"Did I call him that?"
"Yes, I remember it distinctly. Was it just—a manner of speaking?"
"Just a manner of speaking.... You may call it that, mademoiselle. Do you not think that he looks rather ducal?"
"I tried not to think of him at all. I hate him!"
"Almost I begin to pity this Mr. Everard," quoth Jack.
The dimple peeped out.
"Then 'tis most ungallant of you, sir!" she reproved. "Do you know Mr. Everard?"
"I have certainly seen him before, madam."
Diana sat back on her heels and eyed him wonderingly.
"I believe you do not wish to answer me," she said slowly. "Tell me, is 'Everard' that man's real name?"
My lord twisted the ring on his finger uneasily. He did not feel himself at liberty to expose Belmanoir, and if he should reveal his true identity, it was quite possible that Mr. Beauleigh might seek him out, in which case he himself might be recognised. He looked up.
"Pardon me, mademoiselle, but whence this cross-examination?"
Diana nodded placidly.
"I thought you would refuse, but I have discovered something that will confound you, sir!" She rose to her feet. "I will go and get it." She walked gracefully away towards the house, and my lord watched her go.
"NowIam going to ask a question," broke in Miss Betty's voice.
He threw out an imploring hand.
"Madam, I beg you will consider my feeble condition. Am I fit to bear the strain, think you?"
"I do!—Is it usual for gentlemen to ride masked, as you were?"
At that he laughed.
"No, madam, but for the gentlemen of the High Toby, it isde régie."
She paused, with her needle held in mid-air:
"Now, what mean you by that?"
"Just that I am a common highwayman, Miss Betty."
She stared at him for a moment, and then resumed her work.
"You look it."
John cast a startled glance down his slim person.
"Is that so, madam? And I rather flattered myself I did not!"
"I was only laughing at you. You do not expect me to believe that fabrication—surely?"
"I fear I do," he sighed. "'Tis very true, alack!"
"Oh, indeed? Also a friend of Sir Miles O'Hara,J.P.—and of Mr. Everard?"
"At least the last-named is not an acquaintance to be proud of," he retorted.
"Perhaps not. My Di says he is some great gentleman."
"I perceive that your Di is by nature suspicious. Why does she think that?"
"You will see. Di, love, here is Mr. Carr trying to make me believe that he is a highwayman!"
Diana came up to them smiling.
"I fear he teases you, aunt. Do you remember this, sir?" Into Jack's hands she put his Grace of Andover's sword.
Carstares took it, surprised, and glanced casually at the hilt. Then he started up.
"Why, 'tis his sword. And I thought 'twas left on the roadside. Can it be—didyoubring it, mademoiselle?"
She dropped him a curtsey, and laughed.
"You are surprised, sir? You demanded the sword, so I naturally supposed that you required it. Therefore I brought it home."
"'Twas monstrous thoughtful of you then. I dared not hope that it had not been forgotten. I am very grateful—"
"Then pray show your gratitude by sitting down again!" advised the elder Miss Beauleigh. "Remember that this is your first day up, and have a care!"
John subsided obediently, turning the sword over in his hands.
Diana pointed to the wrought gold hilt with an accusing finger.
"An I mistake not, sir, that is a coronet."
My lord's eyes followed the pink-tipped finger and rested wrathfully upon the arms of Andover. It was like Tracy to flaunt them on his sword-hilt, he reflected.
"It certainly has that appearance," he admitted cautiously.
"Also, those are not paste, but real diamonds, and that is a ruby."
"I do not dispute it, madam," he answered meekly.
"And I believe that that big stone is an emerald."
"I am very much afraid that it is."
"An expensive toy!" she said, and looked sharply at him.
"Ornate, I agree, but as true a piece of steel as ever I saw," replied my lord blandly, balancing the rapier on one finger.
"A very expensive toy!" she repeated sternly.
John sighed.
"True, madam—true." Then with a brightened air: "Perhaps Mr. Everard has expensive tastes?"
"It is very possible. And I think that Mr. Everard must have been more than a simple country gentleman to indulge those tastes."
Carstares bit his lip to hide a smile at the thought of Tracy in the light of a simple country gentleman, and shook his head sadly.
"Do you infer that he came by this sword dishonestly, madam?"
The dimple quivered and was gone.
"Sir, I believe that you are playing with me," she said with great dignity.
"Madam, I am abashed."
"I am very glad to hear it, then. I infer that Mr. Everard was something more than he pretended to be."
"In truth, a sorry rogue to deceive a lady."
"And I want to know if I am right. Is he, perhaps, some grand gentleman?"
"I can assure you, madam, that there is very little of the gentleman about Mr. Everard."
Miss Betty began to laugh.
"Have done, my dear! 'Tis of no avail, and 'tis impolite to press Mr. Carr too hard."
Diana pouted.
"He is monstrous provoking, I think," she said, and eyed him reproachfully.
"I am desolated," mourned Jack, but his eyes danced.
"And now you are laughing!"
"But then, mademoiselle, so are you!"
She shook her head, resolutely repressing the dimple.
"Then I am inconsolable."
The brown eyes sparkled and her lips parted in spite of her efforts to keep them in a stern line.
"Oh, but you are ridiculous!" she cried, and sprang to her feet. "And here is Sir Miles!"
O'Hara came across the lawn towards them, bowed to the ladies, and glanced inquiringly from one to the other.
"Is it a joke ye have?" he asked.
Diana answered him.
"Indeed no, sir. 'Tis Mr. Carr who is so provoking."
"Provoking, is it? And what has he been doing?"
"I'll tell you the whole truth, Miles," interposed the maligned one. "'Tis Mistress Diana who is so inquisitive!"
"Oh!" Diana blushed furiously "I protest you are unkind, sir!"
"Sure, 'tis no gentleman he is, at all!"
"'Twas on the subject of gentlemen that we—"
"Quarrelled," supplied her aunt.
"Disagreed," amended his lordship.
"Disagreed," nodded Diana. "I asked him whether Mr. Everard was not some grand gentleman, and he evaded the point."
"I vow 'tis slander!" cried Jack. "I merely said that Everard was no gentleman at all."
"There! And was not that evading the point, Sir Miles?"
"Was it? Sure, I'm inclined to agree with him."
"I declare you are both in league against me!" she cried, with greater truth than she knew. "I mean, was he perhaps atitledgentleman?"
"But how should Jack know that?"
"Because I am sure he knows him—or, at least, of him."
"Listen, Mistress Di," broke in my lord, shooting a warning glance at O'Hara. "I will tell you all about Mr. Everard, and I hope you will be satisfied with my tale." He paused and seemed to cudgel his brain. "First he is, of course, titled—let me see—yes, he is a Duke. Oh, he is certainly a Duke—and I am not sure but what he is royal—he—"
"Now you are ridiculous!" cried Miss Betty.
"You are very teasing," said Diana, and tried to frown. "First you pretend to know nothing about Mr. Everard, and then you tell me foolish stories about him. A Duke, indeed! I believe youreallydo know nothing about him!"
As Carstares had hoped, she refused to believe the truth.
"He is playing with ye, child," said O'Hara, who had listened to Jack's tale with a face of wonder. "I warrant he knows no Everard—eh, Jack?"
"No, I cannot say that I do," laughed his lordship.
"But—but—you said—"
"Never mind what he said, Miss Di. 'Tis a scurvy fellow he is."
She regarded him gravely.
"Indeed, I almost think so."
But the dimple peeped out for all that! The next instant it was gone, and Diana turned a face of gloom to her aunt, pouting her red lips adorably, so thought my lord.
"Mr. Bettison," she said in accents of despair.
At these mystic words, Jack saw Miss Betty frown, and heard her impatient remark: "Drat the man!"
He looked towards the house, and perceived a short, rather stout, young man to be walking with a peculiar strutting gait towards them. The boy was good-looking, Carstares acknowledged to himself, but his eyes were set too close. And he did not like his style. No, certainly he did not like his style, nor the proprietary way in which he kissed Diana's hand.
"How agreeable it is to see you again, Mr. Bettison!" said Miss Betty with much affability. "I declare 'tis an age since we set eyes on you!"
"Oh, no, Aunt," contradicted Diana sweetly. "Why, it was only a very short while ago that Mr. Bettison was here,surely!" She withdrew the hand that the young man seemed inclined to hold fast to, and turned to John.
"I think you do not know Mr. Bettison, Mr. Carr?" she said. "Mr. Bettison, allow me to present you to Mr. Carr. Sir Miles I think you know?"
The squire bowed with a great deal of stiff hostility. Carstares returned the bow.
"You will excuse my not rising, I beg," he smiled. "As you perceive—I have had an accident."
Light dawned on Bettison. This was the man who had rescued Diana, confound his impudence!
"Ah, yes, sir! Your arm, was it not? My faith, I should be proud of such a wound!"
It seemed to Carstares that he smiled at Diana in a damned familiar fashion, devil take his impudence!
"It was indeed a great honour, sir. Mistress Di, I have finished sorting your green silks."
Diana sank down on the cushion again, and shook some more strands out on to his knee.
"How quick you have been! Now we will do the blue ones." Bettison glared. This fellow seemed prodigious intimate with Diana, devil take him! He sat down beside Miss Betty, and addressed my lord patronisingly.
"Let me see—er—Mr. Carr. Have I met you in town, I wonder? At Tom's, perhaps?"
This country bumpkinwouldbelong to Tom's, reflected John savagely, for no reason at all. Aloud he said:
"I think it extremely unlikely, sir. I have been abroad some years."
"Oh, indeed, sir? The 'grand tour,' I suppose?"
Mr. Bettison's tone was not the tone of one who supposes any such thing.
John smiled.
"Not this time," he said, "that was seven years ago."
Mr. Bettison had heard rumours of this fellow who, it was murmured, was nought but a common highwayman.
"Really? After Cambridge, perhaps?"