At this moment he met Lord Eskdale, who had observed Tancred from the end of Grosvenor Square, on the steps of Lord Charmouth’s door. This circumstance ill prepared Lord Eskdale for Tancred’s salutation.
‘My dear lord, you are just the person I wanted to meet. You promised to recommend me a servant who had travelled in the East.’
‘Well, are you in a hurry?’ said Lord Eskdale, gaining time, and pumping.
‘I should like to get off as soon as practicable.’ ‘Humph!’ said Lord Eskdale. ‘Have you got a yacht?’ ‘I have.’
‘Oh! So you want a servant?’ he added, after a moment’s pause.
‘I mentioned that, because you were so kind as to say you could help me in that respect.’
‘Ah! I did,’ said Lord Eskdale, thoughtfully. ‘But I want a great many things,’ continued Tancred. ‘I must make arrangements about money; I suppose I must get some letters; in fact, I want generally your advice.’
‘What are you going to do about the colonel and the rest?’
‘I have promised my father to take them,’ said Tancred, ‘though I feel they will only embarrass me. They have engaged to be ready at a week’s notice; I shall write to them immediately. If they do not fulfil their engagement, I am absolved from mine.’
‘So you have got a yacht, eh?’ said Lord Eskdale. ‘I suppose you have bought the Basilisk?’