"Shall we, sir?"
John looked across at him, smiling faintly.
"You'll come, Jim?"
"I would go anywhere with ye, sir."
"And what about that little girl at Fittering?"
Salter blushed and stammered hopelessly.
"My dear fellow, since when have I been blind? Did you think I did not know?"
"Why, sir-well, sir-yes, sir!"
"Of course I knew! Can you leave her to come with me?"
"I couldn't leave ye to stay with her, sir."
"Are you sure? I do not want you to come against your inclinations."
"Women ain't everything, sir."
"Are they not? I think they are . . . a great deal," said my lord wistfully.
"I'm mighty fond o' Mary, but she knows I must go with you."
"Does she? But is it quite fair to her? And I believe I am not minded to drag you 'cross Continent again."
"Ye won't leave me behind, sir? Ye couldn't do that! Sir-ye're never thinking of going by yourself? I-I-I won't let ye!"
"I am afraid I cannot spare you. But if you should change your mind, tell me. Is it a promise?"
"Ay, sir. If I should change my mind." Salter's smile was grimly sarcastic.
"I am selfish enough to hope you'll not change. I think no one else would bear with my vile temper as you do. Help me out of this coat, will you?"
"I'll never change, sir. And as to tempers- As if I minded!"
"No. You are marvellous. My breeches. Thanks."
He shed his satin small-clothes, and proceeded to enter into white buckskins. "Not those boots, Jim, the other pair." He leaned against the table as he spoke, drumming his fingers on a chair-back.
A knock fell on the door, at which he frowned and signed to Jim, who walked across and opened it, slightly.
"Is your master here?" inquired a well-known voice, and at the sound of it my lord's face lighted up, and Salter stood aside.
"Come in, Miles!"
The big Irishman complied and cast a swift glance round the disordered room. He raised his eyebrows at sight of Jack's riding boots and looked inquiringly across at him.
My lord pushed a chair forward with his foot.
"Sit down, man! I thought you were in London?"
"I was. I brought Molly home yesterday, the darlint, and I heard that ye were leaving here this afternoon."
"Ah?"
"And as I'm not going to let ye slip through me fingers again, I thought I would come and make sure of ye. Ye are a deal too slippery, Jack."
"Yet I was coming to see you again whatever happened."
"Of course. Ye are coming now-to stay."
"Oh no!"