Robin did not attempt to place himself at the same table, but sat back
on a lower seat and at a little distance, sharing his repast with Crisp,
who had scrambled down the stairs after his master, and looked ugly
enough to be, what he certainly was, an extraordinary canine genius.
Dalton and Walter laboured under no restraint because of the presence of
Robin; on the contrary, he occasionally shared in the conversation, and
his opinion upon various topics was frequently asked; indeed, he was
fond of bestowing it gratuitously, and seemed highly pleased when called
upon to express it.
"Didst hear, Robin, when Blake was expected off Sheerness with the
Spanish prizes?"
"In a few days, it is said, he will either bring or send them; but my
own thought is, that it will be about a week, neither more nor less,
before any ship arrives."
"I must get off for the French coast in a day or two," said Dalton; "and
I do not care to return until Blake with his train go up the river a
bit; for it's foul sailing athwart the brave old boy: he's the only man
living I'd strike flag to."
"And who has the care of the Firefly now you're ashore?" inquired the
Cavalier.
"Why, Jeromio."
"I don't like him," said Robin bluntly: "foreigners are good slaves,
but bad masters to us English: I'd rather trust the ship to little
Spring."
"He is a mere boy, and too bad a sailor; besides, he is grown so
superstitious, swears the devil came to him one night I placed him a
watch on yon cliff. I must leave him ashore with you, Robin, and tell
you what to do with the scapegrace, if I am not back by a particular
day. I must also give you a letter to take to Sir Robert Cecil,
postponing an appointment I had made with him."
"You had better give the letter to that gentleman," exclaimed Robin,
pointing with his thumb over his shoulder to where the Cavalier sat; "he
would do an errand to Cecil Place, especially if it were to the Lady
Constance, right gladly."
"Indeed!" exclaimed Dalton, fixing his quick eye on the youth's
countenance, that betrayed uneasiness but not displeasure. "Sits the
wind in that quarter? But tell us, Robin, how was it?"
"There is nothing to tell, Captain," interrupted Walter, "except that
Robin accompanied me to the Place, as it is called, to show me some
alterations, and point out the excellent order in which the trees are
kept; and in the grounds we encountered Mistress Cecil, and, as I am
informed, the Lady Cromwell."