"Do you think I might lie a bit?"
"No, I shouldn't lie. It's awkward. Besides, you know you wouldn't do it, and you couldn't if you tried."
"I'll stir him up," reiterated Rickmansworth. "Give me my prayer-book and parasol, and I'll go and find him."
Ayre ignored what he supposed to be the joke buried in this saying, and saw his friend off on his errand, repeating his instructions as he went.
What Lord Rickmansworth said to Mr. Haddington has never, as the newspapers put it, transpired. But ever since that date Sir Roderick has always declared that Rick is not such a fool as he looks. Certainly the envoy was well pleased with himself when he rejoined his companion at dinner, and after imbibing a full glass of champagne, said:
"To-night, my worthy old friend, you will see."
"Did he bite?"
"He bit. That fellow's no fool. He saw Kate's game when I pointed it out."
"Will he stand up to her?"
"Rather! going to hold a pistol to her head."