Mr. Silk explained that he had ridden over from Natchett to call on Miss Josselin and had but an hour to spare. They insisted, however, that he must eat before leaving, and they led away his horse to bait, leaving him and Ruth together.
"Will you come into the house?" she asked.
"With your leave we can talk better here. . . . So you guessed that I made one of the party? Miss Vyell told me."
"It was not difficult to guess."
"And you admired my courage?"
Ruth's eyebrows went up to a fine arch. "When you were careful to keep in hiding?"
"From motives of delicacy, believe me. It occurred to me that Lady Caroline might—er—speak her mind, and I had no wish to be distressed by it, or to distress you with my presence."
"I thank you for so much delicacy, sir."
"But Lady Caroline—let us do her justice! She calls a spade a spade, but there's no malice in it. You stood up to her, I gather. We've been discussing you this morning, and you may take my word she don't think the worse of you for it. They're sportsmen, these high-born people. I come of good family myself, and know the sort. 'Slog and take a slogging; shake hands and no bad blood'—that's their way. The fine old British way, after all." Mr. Silk puffed his cheeks and blew.
"You have been discussing me with Lady Caroline?"