"I suppose you haven't been to the Castle," said Lord Saltash, coming back to the fire to stand before it.
"No. Jake said something about taking us some day. But it's not much good my going. I'm such a log." The old bitterness suddenly sounded in Bunny's voice.
Lord Saltash lightly poked him with the end of his riding-switch. "I'll take you round myself some day, you and Maud. I'm off for a ride now when I've had a look round the stables. I shall be back in an hour or so, in time to see the virtuous Jake when he comes back from church."
He turned to the door therewith, and fell to whistling softly the tune to which he had entered the stable-yard a short time before. Opening it he glanced back to wave a careless adieu, then passed whistling out.
"Well, I'm jiggered!" said Bunny. "Anyone would think he didn't care a jot!"
Which was precisely the impression that Lord Saltash had intended to convey.
CHAPTER XXI
THE OLD LIFE
That Christmas morning was like a dream to Maud.
To find herself in church with Jake by her side was a circumstance that she had been very far from expecting, and the experience was so unique that it seemed scarcely real.