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"The dirty scoundrel!"
"M'm--yes. 'Tis that which makes me think he did not know me. Damn itall, 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 anykind of devilry."
"But, my dear fellow, that is too black! He could not try to kill incold blood a man he had hunted with, and fenced with-and--and--no mancould!"
O'Hara looked extremely sceptical.
"Because ye could not yourself, is not to say that a miserable spalpeenlike Belmanoir could not."
"I don't believe it of him. We were always quite friendly--if it hadbeen Robert now--But I am not going to believe it. And don't sayanything to these people, O'Hara, because they do not know Devil. Igather from what Miss Betty says, that he calls himself Everard. He metthe girl--Diana--at Bath; you know his way. She'd none of him: hence theabduction."
"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." Hechanged 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 wastemuch time."
"Neither do I. Poor fellow, he must have worried terribly over hisworthless master."
"Sure, his face was as white as your own when I told him ye werewounded!"
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 hiscountenance with some surprise.
"Interesting pallor, my dear friend, interesting pallor. Nevertheless, Iam 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 tolive for and think for--one makes the most of one's self! Hence myvanity. Take the mirror away, please--the sight of my countenanceoffends me!"
"Sure, ye are free with your orders, me lord!" said O'Hara, putting theglass down on the table. "And, while I think of it--what might your namebe now?"
"John Carr--a slip of the tongue on my part, stopped in time. I hear mymentor returning--and--Miles!"
"Well?"
"Come again!"
"Come again! My dear boy, ye'll be sick of the sight of me soon! I shallbe here every day."
"Thanks! It will take a good deal to sicken me, I think." He bit hislip, turning his head away as Miss Betty came into the room.
"I'm afraid that you ought to leave my patient now, Sir Miles," shesaid. "He has had enough excitement for one day, and should sleep." Sheglanced 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."
