"Read that," he said triumphantly, as he handed me the familiar scrap of blue paper.
"Have got safely so far with nurse and baby—entreat you to follow with all possible speed—dying to get on.—Claire, Hôtel Cavour, Milan."
"Excellent!" I cried, slapping my thigh. "This settles all doubts. So much for that fool Tiler. My lord will be very grateful to you," and I handed him back the telegram, having first copied it word for word in my note-book.
"It means, I suppose," suggested l'Echelle, "that you will make for Milan, too?"
"No fear—by the first train. You'll be clever if you get the start of us, for I presume you will be moving."
"I haven't the smallest doubt of that; we shall be quite a merry party. It will be quite like old times."
CHAPTER XXIII.
[Colonel Annesley again.]
I had no reason to complain of the course of events culminating in the affair at Culoz. I defended to myself the assault upon Lord Blackadder as in a measure provoked and justifiable under the circumstances, although I was really sorry for him and at the poor figure he cut before the police magistrate and gendarmes. But I could not forget the part he had played throughout, nor was I at all disposed to turn aside from my set purpose to help the ladies in their distress. Every man of proper feeling would be moved thereto, and I knew in my secret heart that very tender motives impelled me to the unstinting championship of Lady Claire.