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"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, andfrowning.
"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 thenearest 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 herlightning smile.
"You BOY! Will you dictate?"
"Very well, ma'am. No, I have changed my mind. I'll have it writ to afriend, please: 'Dear Miles.... True to my promise.... I write toyou.... 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 tellJim 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 itto Sir Miles O'Hara, Thurze House, Maltby?"
"Sir Miles O'Hara! Is he your friend, Mr.--Mr.--I do not know yourname."
"Car--" began Jack, and stopped, biting his lip. "Carr," he continuedimperturbably, "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."
