Miss Betty walked round him admiringly.
"Lud! 'Tis mighty elegant, I vow! But I protest, I am shy!"
"Egad, Miss Betty! and why?"
"You are not so young as I imagined," she replied candidly.
"Bear in mind, madam, that I never sought to deceive you. I am an aged man."
"Thirty!" she scoffed, and went on ahead. "Come, child, and mind the first step!"
At the bottom of the staircase stood Mr. Beauleigh, a man of medium height, thin-lipped and grey-eyed. He came forward with one hand outstretched.
"I am delighted to see you so much better, sir. I trust your shoulder no longer pains you?"
My lord pushed Jim gently to one side and placed his hand in Mr. Beauleigh's.
"I thank you, sir, it is almost well. But for Miss Betty, who, I fear, has the makings of a true tyrant, I should not wear this obnoxious sling."