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"Very well, sir." Resignedly Jim walked to the cupboard.
When at length his lordship was dressed to his entire satisfaction itwas midway through the hot June afternoon, and Miss Betty was tapping atthe door, wishing to know whether Mr. Carr was coming down, or whetherhe was not.
Carstares shifted his sling, and taking up his hat, moved just a littleshakily to the door.
Salter opened it, and cast a triumphant glance at Miss Betty, as thoughhe 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. Thankyou, 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 agedman."
"Thirty!" she scoffed, and went on ahead. "Come, child, and mind thefirst step!"
At the bottom of the staircase stood Mr. Beauleigh, a man of mediumheight, thin-lipped and grey-eyed. He came forward with one handoutstretched.
"I am delighted to see you so much better, sir. I trust your shoulder nolonger 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 obnoxioussling."
Mr. Beauleigh smiled a little.
"Ah, yes, she keeps us all in order, does Betty. Pray, will you not walka little in the garden? There are chairs on the lawn--and here is mydaughter."
He waved to the door, and Carstares, turning, beheld Diana.
She stood framed by the dark wood, gowned in amber silk, with old lacefalling from her elbows and over the bosom of her dress. Her hair wasdark as night, with little tendrils curling over her broad, white brow.One rolling curl fell over her shoulder, the rest were gathered up undera small lace cap, which was secured by means of a riband passed beneathher chin.
Jack gazed, and gazed again, and in her turn Diana studied him with widebrown eyes of almost childlike innocence. Then her lids fluttered andcurling lashes veiled the glorious depths, as a slow blush mounted toher cheeks.
My lord recovered his manners and made his most approved leg as herfather 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, andraised her hand to his lips.
The delicate, tapering fingers trembled a little in his hold, andtremulous lips parted in the shyest and most adorable smile that he hadever seen.
