"I do!-Is it usual for gentlemen to ride masked, as you were?"
At that he laughed.
"No, madam, but for the gentlemen of the High Toby, it is de règle."
She paused, with her needle held in mid-air: "Now, what mean you by that?"
"Just that I am a common highwayman, Miss Betty."
She stared at him for a moment, and then resumed her work.
"You look it."
John cast a startled glance down his slim person.
"Is that so, madam? And I rather flattered myself I did not!"
"I was only laughing at you. You do not expect me to believe that fabrication-surely?"
"I fear I do," he sighed. "'Tis very true, alack!"
"Oh, indeed? Also a friend of Sir Miles O'Hara, J.P.-and of Mr. Everard?"
"At least the last-named is not an acquaintance to be proud of," he retorted.
"Perhaps not. My Di says he is some great gentleman."
"I perceive that your Di is by nature suspicious. Why does she think that?"
"You will see. Di, love, here is Mr. Carr trying to make me believe that he is a highwayman!"
Diana came up to them smiling.
"I fear he teases you, aunt. Do you remember this, sir?" Into Jack's hands she put his Grace of Andover's sword.
Carstares took it, surprised, and glanced casually at the hilt. Then he started up.
"Why, 'tis his sword. And I thought 'twas left on the roadside. Can it be-did you bring it, mademoiselle?"
She dropped him a curtsey, and laughed.
"You are surprised, sir? You demanded the sword, so I naturally supposed that you required it. Therefore I brought it home."
"'Twas monstrous thoughtful of you then. I dared not hope that it had not been forgotten. I am very grateful-"
"Then pray show your gratitude by sitting down again!" advised the elder Miss Beauleigh. "Remember that this is your first day up, and have a care!"
John subsided obediently, turning the sword over in his hands.
Diana pointed to the wrought gold hilt with an accusing finger.
"An I mistake not, sir, that is a coronet."
My lord's eyes followed the pink-tipped finger and rested wrathfully upon the arms of Andover. It was like Tracy to flaunt them on his sword-hilt, he reflected.
"It certainly has that appearance," he admitted cautiously.
"Also, those are not paste, but real diamonds, and that is a ruby."
"I do not dispute it, madam," he answered meekly.
"And I believe that that big stone is an emerald."
"I am very much afraid that it is."
"An expensive toy!" she said, and looked sharply at him.
"Ornate, I agree, but as true a piece of steel as ever I saw," replied my lord blandly, balancing the rapier on one finger.