“I should have liked to,” said Miss Taverner wistfully,
“but Captain Audley said he dared not, and of course I knew I must not without your leave. If you are displeased I beg your pardon. Captain Audley, how odious it is of you to sit laughing, and not to say a word in my defence!”
“My brother would never listen to my excuses with half so much complaisance, I assure you,” said the Captain, with a twinkle.
Miss Taverner turned her attention to the Earl again. “I hope you are not very angry, sir?”
“My dear Miss Taverner, I am not in the least angry, except on one account. My horses are at your service, but what are you about to have no one but that one-armed rattle by your side? If any accident occurred, as it might well, he would be of no assistance to you.”
“Oh, if that is all,” returned Judith, “you must know that I have been used to drive alone. My father saw no objection.”
“Your father,” said the Earl, “never saw you with one of my teams in hand.”
“Very true,” agreed Judith. “But what is to be done? Will you lead the horses, or shall Captain Audley alight and lead yours?”
“Captain Audley begs leave to inform Miss Taverner that he will die rather!”
“Drive on—Clorinda!” said the Earl, a little smile twisting his lips.