"You see, Benson, this comes of your declaring war upon Venus. I hope the maids will nurse you properly. Let me see: you are friends with the housekeeper, aren't you? All depends upon that."
"I'm only a faithful servant, Mr. Hadrian," the miserable butler snarled.
"Then you've got no friend but your bed. Get to it as quick as possible, Benson."
"I can't move." Benson made a resolute halt. "I must be fetched," he whinnied. "It's a shame to ask me to move, Mr. Hadrian."
"You will admit that you are heavy, Benson," said Adrian, "so I can't carry you. However, I see Mr. Richard is very kindly returning to help me."
At these words heavy Benson instantly found his legs, and shambled on.
Lady Blandish met Richard in dismay.
"I have been horribly frightened," she said. "Tell me, what was the meaning of those cries I heard?"
"Only some one doing justice on a spy," said Richard, and the lady smiled, and looked on him fondly, and put her hand through his hair.
"Was that all? I should have done it myself if I had been a man. Kiss me."