‘Not to me, certainly; and as for the pony, I scarcely think he’ll mind it.’
‘At all events, I shall walk the hills.’
‘I believe there are none. If I remember aright, it is all through a level bog.’
‘You were at tea last night when a certain telegram came?’
‘To be sure I was. I was there, too, when one came for you, and saw you leave the room immediately after.’
‘In evident confusion?’ added he, smiling.
‘Yes, I should say, in evident confusion. At least, you looked like one who had got some very unexpected tidings.’
‘So it was. There is the message.’ And he drew from his pocket a slip of paper, with the words,’ Walpole is coming for a day. Take care to be out of the way till he is gone.’
‘Which means that he is no friend of yours.’
‘He is neither friend nor enemy. I never saw him; but he is the private secretary, and, I believe, the nephew of the Viceroy, and would find it very strange company to be domiciled with a rebel.’