Horatia, an unsatisfactory heroine, replied gaily: “Oh, I w-wasn’t frightened, sir! It is the m-most exciting thing that has ever happened to m-me! But I must say I think they were very cowardly robbers to run away from one m-man.”
A soundless laugh shook his lordship. “Perhaps they ran away from my pistols,” he suggested. “So long as they have not harmed you—”
“Oh, n-no! But how came you on this road my l-lord?”
“I have been visiting friends out at Brentford,” he explained.
“ I thought you were going to the p-picnic at Ewell ?” she said.
He looked directly into her eyes. “I was,” he answered. “But my Lady Rule did not join the party.”
She became aware that her hand was still reposing in his and drew it away. “I d-didn’t think you c-cared a rap for that,” she said.
“Didn’t you? But I did care.”
She looked at him for a moment and then said shyly: “P-please will you d-drive back with m-me?”
He appeared to hesitate, that queer twisted smile hovering round his mouth.