"I wish you well, Sir Humphrey," she said gently, but coldly. "I had no thought of seeing you here."
"Faith!" he laughed with some bitterness, "I had no hope that the thought of seeing me had troubled your ladyship much. I am on my way to Derby and foolishly thought to take this shorter way across the Moor. Odd's life! I was well-nigh regretting it. I was attacked and robbed last evening, and the heavy roads force me to spend the night in this unhallowed tavern. But I little guessed what compensation the Fates had in store for me."
"I was in a like plight, Sir Humphrey," she said, trying to speak with perfect indifference.
"You were not robbed, surely?"
"Nay, not that, but I hoped to reach Derby sooner by taking the short cut across the Heath, and the state of the roads has so tired the horses, I was forced to turn off at the cross-roads and to put up at this inn."
"Your ladyship is on your way to London?"
"On a visit to my aunt, Lady Edbrooke."
"Will you honour me by accepting my protection? 'Tis scarce fit for your ladyship to be travelling all that way alone."
"I thank you, Sir Humphrey," she rejoined coldly. "My man, Timothy, is with me, besides the driver. Both are old and trusted servants. I meet some friends at Wirksworth. I shall not be alone."
"But..."