“Well, well, I will go with you, my lord; and perhaps I will tell you ‘something to your advantage,’” he muttered, in a low tone.
So they went to the King’s Head, and Alick called for a private parlor, where they sat down to talk.
“Everage,” said Alick, gravely, “I have had a long and dangerous fit of illness, from which I have scarcely yet recovered.”
“Indeed, my lord! I had not heard of it: but, really now I observe that you do not look well. I am sorry, my lord.”
“Everage, you heard of the affair in which I was engaged? the——”
The word stuck in his throat; he would not utter it.
Everage looked puzzled for a moment.
“You know—the affair in which I was engaged in Jersey! the——”
“Oh, yes, certainly, my lord; I heard of the——”
And, in courtesy, the poor gentleman paused exactly where his friend had done.