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To her surprise he flushed a little.
"Diana, an she marries me, will have all that her heart could desire,"he answered stiffly, and took his leave.
Once outside in the square he looked for a sedan, and not seeing one,walked away towards Audley Street. He went quickly, but his progress wassomewhat retarded by two ladies, who, passing in their chairs down thestreet, perceived him and beckoned him to their sides. Escapingpresently from them, he turned into Curzon Street, and from thence downHalf Moon Street, where he literally fell into the arms of Tom Wilding,who had much to say on the subject of March's last bet with Edgecumbe.His Grace affected interest, politely declined Wilding's profferedescort, and hurried down into Piccadilly, walking eastwards towards St.James's Square, where was the Andover town house. He was fated to beagain detained, for as he walked along Arlington Street, Mr. Walpole wason the point of descending the steps of No. 5. He also had much to sayto his Grace. He had no idea that Belmanoir had returned from Paris. Aweek ago he had arrived? Well, he, Walpole, had been out of town all theweek--at Twickenham. He hoped Bel. would honour him with his company atthe small card-party he was giving there on Thursday. George was coming,and Dick Edgecumbe; he had asked March and Gilly Williams, but the Lordknew whether both would be induced to appear! Bel. had heard of Gilly'sabsurd jealousy? Wilding was promised, and Markham; several otheranswers he was awaiting.
Andover accepted gracefully and parted from Mr. Walpole. He made therest of his journey in peace, and on arriving at his house, wentstraight to the library, where sat a sleek, eminentlyrespectable-looking individual, dressed like a groom. He stood up as hisGrace entered, and bowed.
Belmanoir nodded shortly and sat down at his desk.
"I have work for you, Harper."
"Yes, sir--your Grace, I should say."
"Do you know Sussex?"
"Well, your Grace, I don't know as how--"
"_Do you know Sussex?_"
"No, your Grace--er--yes, your Grace! I should say, not well, yourGrace!"
"Have you heard of a place called Littledean?"
"No, s--your Grace."
"Midhurst?"
"Oh, yes, your Grace."
"Good. Littledean is seven miles west of it. You will find thatout--also an inn called, I think, 'The Pointing Finger.' There you willlodge."
"Yes, your Grace, certainly."
"At a very little distance from there is a house--Horton House, wherelives a certain Mr. Beauleigh, with his sister and daughter. You are towatch the comings and goings of these people with the utmost care.Eventually you will become groom to Mr. Beauleigh."
"B-but, your Grace!" feebly protested the astonished Harper.
"You will approach their present groom, and you will insinuate that I,Andover, am in need of a second groom. You will tell him that I payhandsomely--treble what Mr. Beauleigh gives him. If I know human nature,he will apply for the post. You then step in. If Mr. Beauleigh asks forsome recommendation, you are to refer him to Sir Hugh Grandison, White'sChocolate House, St. James's Street. When you are engaged I will sendfurther instructions."
The man gaped, shut his mouth, and gaped again.
"Do you fully understand me?" asked Belmanoir calmly.
"Er--er--yes, your Grace!"
"Repeat what I have said, then."
Harper stumbled through it and mopped his brow unhappily.
"Very well. In addition, I pay you twice as much as Mr. Beauleigh givesyou, and, at the end, if you serve me well--fifty guineas. Are yousatisfied?"
Harper brightened considerably.
"Yes, your Grace! Thank you, sir!"
Tracy laid twenty guineas before him.
"That is for your expenses. Remember this: the sooner the thing is done,the more certain are your fifty guineas. That is all. Have you anyquestions to ask?"
