P.S.—I'll have as good a team as there is in England (barring the one that shall bring us there), waiting for us at the Black Bear, Devizes. We ought to arrive before midnight, and there shall be a dainty trifle of supper for your Beautyship—while the nags are changed. Ah, my dear, what rapture!"
Indescribable were the various expressions that crossed Sir Jasper's countenance upon the perusal and re-perusal of this artless missive. Now he gnashed his teeth; now snorts of withering scorn were blown down the channels of his fine aquiline nose; now smiles of the most deadly description curled and parted luridly his full lips.
"Ha, ha!" said Sir Jasper, "and perhaps the poor foolish individual may give you cause for something less than blessings, Master Carrots! And I think, madam, your beautyship may find at Devizes something harder to digest than that trifle of supper! Till then, patience!"
He folded the letter, placed it beside its fellow, and once more, with a sort of bellow, he cried, "Patience!"
*****
"Well, Lydia?" said Bellairs. She had but just finished her chocolate, and looked like a rose among her pillows.
"Well, madam," said Lydia, still panting from her hurried quest, "'tis safe delivered. I gave it into Mistress Megrim's own hands, and——"
"And can you reckon," said the lady, smiling at the amusing thought, "upon her bringing it straight to Sir Jasper?"
"Ah, lud, ma'am, yes. I told the sour, ugly old cat, that if her master caught sight of it, Lady Standish would be ruined. You should have seen how she grabbed at it, ma'am!"
"Lydia," said her mistress, looking at her admiringly, "I question whether I'd have risked it myself; you're a bold girl! But there, if anything fail, you know that rose-coloured pelisse remains hanging in my closet."