"I understand," said Jem, sullenly. "I'm sensible enough, ain't I?"
The captain's reply was a look so full of ominous evil that if a look could kill Jem's days would have been ended there and then.
There was no time to say more, for footsteps were approaching.
The captain hurried on, bursting with rage and apprehension.
Lord Fitz rose to meet him as he entered the drawing-room.
On his boyish face there was an anxious, nervous look which would at any other time have greatly amused the captain.
"How do you do, captain?" he said, shaking hands twice in an absent, flustered manner. "I—I came over to see Mrs. Mildmay—I mean Miss Mildmay, but she can't be found. Mrs. Mildmay's gone to look for her. You haven't seen her, I suppose?"
"No," said the captain, smiling. "She won't be found far off, I expect. I know some of her favorite seats. Why don't you go and help to search?"
"Oh, I don't know whether she'd like it, you know," said his lordship, with a wise shake of the head.