Again he came down; prepared for shooting, though both pale and lame; but he quietly put aside all expostulations, walking on until, about fifty yards from the house, a pebble, turning under the injured foot, caused such severe pain that he could but just stagger to a tree and sit down.
There was much battling before Mr. Mansell would consent to leave him, or he to allow James to help him back to the house, before going on to overtake the party.
Very irate was Jem, at folly that seemed to have undone the benefits of the last month, and at changeableness that was a desertion of the queen to whom all homage was due. He was astonished that Louis turned into the study, a room little inhabited in general, and said, 'Make haste—you will catch the others; don't fall in with the ladies.'
'I mean to send your aunt to you.'
'Pray don't. Can't you suppose that peace is grateful after having counted every mortal hour last night?'
'Was that the reason you were going to walk ten miles without a leg to stand upon? Fitzjocelyn! is this systematic?'
'What is?' said Louis, wearily.
'Your treatment of—your aunt.'
'On what system should aunts be treated?'
'Of all moments to choose for caprice! Exactly when I thought even you were fixed!'