His lordship addressed him in French.
"Eh bien, Lebeau?"
"Eh bien, my lord? Did you not receive my message by the little page from Brooks's?"
"Of course I did, and I was furious at such a mischance. Here had fate cast her into my very arms, and your cursed bungling let her escape!"
"Say, rather, the accident of fate, my lord. I was just in the act of putting the little one into a coach, when a band of ruffians, hotly pursued by the soldiers, fell upon us and knocked me down. When I regained my feet, Miss Woodville had vanished, and I was a prisoner in the hands of the guards. In vain I assured them that I was attached to your lordship's service. All that I was able to inform you was that I had failed."
Lord Mowbray looked his confidant full in the eyes.
"You are decidedly growing old," he said.
"That may be."
"Yes, you are growing old, and worse than that. Your compatriots have it that when the devil is old he turns hermit. Are you doing likewise? As God is my judge, Lebeau, I believe you are becoming virtuous."
Lebeau affected an offended air.