“I will do so, Curtis,” said Lord Ethalwood. “Ride on and inform the chevalier that I will be with him in less than an hour from this time.”
The groom upon this started off, leaving Lord Ethalwood’s horse ready caparisoned at the garden-gate of the widow’s house.
“So you are going to ride over to your residence?” said Madame Trieste, “and without an attendant, it would seem.”
“Nay, not so,” observed the earl. “Curtis will attend me.”
“But he has gone on to Monsieur de Monpres.”
“True, I shall be by myself part of the way.”
“And do you not think that very bad policy?”
“Why so, madame?”
“Suppose two or three ruffians were to attack you—what then?”
“I should have to defend myself to the best of my ability—that is all,” returned the earl, with a smile.