"He will be easier there," he said, and looked across at her.
"Ye are quite safe, child?"
"Quite-quite- He came just in time-and fought for me." She dabbed openly at her eyes. "I-I love him so, Sir Miles-and now I hear that he is an Earl!" she sighed.
"Well, child, 'twill make no difference, I take it. I hope he'll make ye happy."
She smiled through her tears very confidently.
O'Hara turned and faced Richard, who was standing a little in the rear, watching his brother's face. He met O'Hara's scathing look squarely.
"Well?"
"Nought," answered the Irishman cuttingly, and walked over to where Lord Andrew was arguing hotly with his brother.
Carstares returned to my lord's side and stood looking silently down at him.
Diana suddenly gave a little joyful cry.
"He is coming round! He moved his head! Oh, Jack, my dear one, look at me!" She bent over him with eyes alight with love.
My lord's eyelids flickered and opened, For a moment he stared at her.
"Why-Diana!"
She took his head between her hands and kissed him full on the mouth. Then she raised his head to look into the blue eyes.
My lord's arm crept round her and held her tight against him. After a moment she disengaged herself and stood aside. Jack's eyes, still a little bewildered, fell upon his brother. He struggled up on his elbow.
"Am I dreaming? Dick!" His voice was full of a great joy.
Richard went quickly to him, trying to put him back on the cushions.
"My dear Jack-no, no-lie still!"
"Lie still?" cried my lord, swinging his feet to the ground. "Not a bit of it! I am well enough, but a trifle dizzy. How in thunder did you come here? Surely 'twas you knocked up my sword? Yes? Interfering young cub! Give me your arm a minute!"
"But why do you want to get up?" pleaded a soft voice in his ear.
"So that I can take you in my arms, sweetheart," he answered, and proceeded to do so.
Then his glance, wandering round the room, alighted on the heated group by the table; Andrew vociferously indignant, Tracy coolly sarcastic, and O'Hara furious.
"Tare an' ouns!" ejaculated my lord. "Where did they all spring from?"
"I don't quite know!" laughed Diana. "Sir Miles came a few minutes ago-the other gentleman came with Mr. Carstares."
"Ay, I remember him-'tis Andrew, eh, Dick? Zounds! how he has grown! But what in the world are they all fighting over? Miles! Miles, I say!"
O'Hara wheeled round, surprised.
"Oho! Ye are up, are ye." He crossed to his side. "Then sit down!"