Part 2 (1/2)
”I understand 'tis painful, my lord, and I will say no !”
The concern in his face touched ood to me, Mr Warburton, I vow I can only say that I appreciate your kindnessand your forbearance And I trust that you will forgive rateful to you”
”I wish I ht do more for you, Master Jack!” stammered Warburton, made miserable by the wistful note in his favourite's voice There was no time for more; the coach already awaited hiether in the porch, he could only grip ot hurriedly into the coach, and the door was sla, and watched the heavy vehicle move forward and roll away down the street Then with a stifled sigh he turned and walked towards the stables His servant saw hi and went at once to meet him
”The mare, sir?”
”As you say, Jimthe mare In an hour”
He turned and would have strolled back
”Siryour honour!”
He paused, looking over his shoulder
”Well?”
”They're on the look-out, sir Best be careful”
”They always are, Jim But thanks”
”Yeye wouldn't take ly
”Take you? Faith, no! I've no er And you serveto carry out my orders”
The man fell back
”Ay, sir; butbut-”
”There are none, Jim”
”No, sirbut ye will have a care?”
”I will be the most cautious of men” He walked away on the word, and passed into the house
In an hour he was a very different being Gone was the euid air, too, had disappeared, leaving hi, with buff coat and buckskin breeches, and shi+ning top boots A sober broig replaced the powdered creation, and a black tricorne was set rakishly atop
He stood in the deserted porch, watching Ji a curt direction Presently Mr Chadber appeared with the stirrup-cup, which he drained and handed back with a word of thanks and a guinea at the bottom
So very low, lance at the saddle-girths, and, leaving thein the road, caloves and whip
Carstares took thehtfully on the man's face
”You will hire a coach, as usual,” he said at length, ”and take e a room at the White Hart and order dinner I shall wearapricot andh' helpful
His master's eyes crinkled at the corners
”You are a hu thought cream That is allJenny!”
Theas he cahtly and patted her glossy neck Then he leaned sideways in the saddle to speak again to Salter, who stood beside him, one hand on the bridle
”The cloak?”
”Behind you, sir”
”My wig?”
”Yes, sir”
”Pistols?”
”Ready primed, sir”
”Good I shall be in Lewes in time for dinnerwith luck”
”Yes, sir Yeye will have a care?” anxiously
”Have I not told you?” He straightened in the saddle, touched thea quick smile and a nod on his man, trotted easily away
CHAPTER II
MY LORD AT THE WHITE HART
”SIR ANTHONY FERNDALE” sat before the dressing-table in his rooeous silk dressing gown lay over the back of his chair, and, behind hi anxiously over the coat and waistcoat that aiting to be donned
Carstares left off polishi+ng his nails, yawned, and leaned back in his chair, a sliure in cambric shi+rt and apricot satin breeches He studied his cravat for some moments in the mirror, and lifted a hand to it Salter held his breath With extreme deliberation the hand moved a diamond and emerald pin the fraction of an inch to one side, and fell to his side again Salter drew a relieved breath, which brought his master's eyes round to himself
”No trouble, Jim?”
”None at all, sir”
”Neither had I 'Twas ht in the rascal of a merchant, the other his clerk