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Mr Selsey, uneasily measuring the size and style of his opponent, said sulkily: ‘I didn’t mean – that is, I didn’t know –’
‘You know now,’ said Sir Julian, and turned, and went back into the inn.
He was met by Miss Trent, her face aglow with admiration. ‘Thank you!’ she said. ‘I have been wanting to do that all my life!’
‘What, did you see it, then?’ he asked, startled.
‘Yes, through the window. I clapped my hands! I wonder you did not hear me!’
He flung back his head and laughed. ‘You incorrigible child, you should be in a swoon, or indulging in a fit of the vapours!’
‘Pooh, as though I had not seen Bertram and Ned at fisticuffs a score of times! When do we set forward?’
‘In about half an hour, if you can be ready then.’
‘Should we not go at once? I am sure Joseph will be off now without waiting for his coffee!’
‘Very likely, but you have no need to be uneasy: we shall overtake him soon enough.’
They overtook him even sooner than Sir Julian had expected. Only fifteen miles from Newbury, where the road passed between the great trees of Savernake Forest, a solitary figure came into view, leading a very lame nag.
‘It’s Joseph!’ exclaimed Miss Trent. ‘Poor Joseph!’ she added piously.
‘Humbug!’ retorted Sir Julian, a note in his voice no other lady had as yet been privileged to hear.
She laughed. Mr Selsey, upon hearing the muffled beat of horses’ hooves, wheeled about, and, although he must have perceived who was driving the curricle, placed himself in its way, and waved his arms. Sir Julian drew up, and sat looking down at him with a sardonic lift to his brows.
‘Sir,’ said Mr Selsey in a voice of deep chagrin, ‘I find myself forced to request you to take me up as far as to the next town!’
‘But you cannot leave the poor horse!’ said Miss Trent. ‘Besides, it belongs to the Pelican!’
‘No, it does not!’ said her cousin angrily. ‘It belongs to a rascally thief! He took my horse and my purse, and left me with this jade!’
‘A highwayman? Oh, what an adventure!’ cried Miss Trent.
Mr Selsey ground his teeth.
‘You have only three or four miles to walk before you reach Marlborough,’ said Sir Julian helpfully. ‘Stand away from my horses’ heads!’
‘But I have no money!’ shouted Mr Selsey.
Sir Julian’s pair began to move forward. Miss Trent said quickly: ‘No, no, we can’t leave him in such a case! It would be too shabby!’
Sir Julian glanced curiously down at her earnest little face. ‘Do you wish him to reach Bath?’
‘Yes!’ said Miss Trent resolutely.
‘Very well. I will leave word with the landlord of the Castle Inn, sir, and he will provide you with a conveyance,’ said Sir Julian, and drove on.
Mr Selsey, by no means content, bawled after the curricle: ‘And you stole my rug, you hussy!’
‘Oh, dear!’ said Miss Trent, dismayed. ‘It is quite true, I did! We ought to have taken him up, perhaps!’
‘Nonsense! A walk will do him good.’
‘Yes, but if his purse has been taken he won’t be able to hire a chaise, even if you do bespeak one!’ objected Miss Trent.
‘Have no fear! I will arrange the whole, since you wish it.’
