Lord Ethalwood deemed the suspicion an unworthy one, and without further hesitation he followed Chanet. He took care, however, to be upon his guard, and keep a sharp look-out for any sudden surprise.
The two men moved forward for a hundred paces or so, and Chanet stopped in a kind of opening among the trees.
“Well, sir,” said the earl, “is this the spot you have selected for our conference?”
“Yes,” was the answer. “We can now converse freely.”
“Proceed. I am all attention.”
“I will.”
“Be good enough to abridge as much as possible whatever you may have to say, as otherwise you might exhaust what little patience I happen to possess.”
Chanet darted upon the speaker a look as bitter and vengeful as that with which he had first regarded him when they met at the lime-tree, but by a violent effort he controlled his feelings and assumed an air of tranquillity.
“You wish me to be brief, and not trouble you with too many words,” said he.
“I do,” returned his companion.