"I don't know why they should have troubled themselves to send for me," said the tailor.
"Because you are the best friend that I have in the world. Whom else could I have trusted as I do you? Has the Earl agreed to it?"
"They didn't tell me that, my lady."
"They would hardly have sent, unless he had agreed. Don't you think so, Mr. Thwaite?"
"I don't know much about such things, my lady."
"You have told—Daniel?"
"No, my lady."
"Oh, Mr. Thwaite, do not talk to me in that way. It sounds as though you were deserting me."
"There'll be no reason for not deserting now. You'll have friends by the score more fit to see you through this than old Thomas Thwaite. And, to own the truth, now that the matter is coming to an end, I am getting weary of it. I'm not so young as I was, and I'd be better left at home to my business."
"I hope that you may disregard your business now without imprudence, Mr. Thwaite."