He had the grace to blush, but he acted upon my suggestion with a semblance of sincerity.
"Sir, sir, what is this you do?" he cried. "Certes, there is some limit to your law-breaking! The maid is my daughter."
My great-uncle went through his snuff ritual with an artful exaggeration which was comical to one who knew him.
"Unfortunate!" he drawled. "I could sympathize with you, sir."
And to me—
"Robert, you will conduct the lady to the James."
For the first time Mistress O'Donnell's glance lighted fair upon my face.
"Master Ormerod!" she gasped.
I jumped toward her with as roughly peremptory a manner as I could assume.
"You'd best come quietly, mistress," I snapped.