“He has a wet mouth,” said Miss Creed despairingly.
“That settles it,” said Sir Richard, shutting his snuff-box. “I will escort you to your childhood’s friend.”
Miss Creed blushed. “You? But you can’t!”
“Why can’t I?”
“Because—because I don’t know you, and I can very well go by myself, and—well, it’s quite absurd! I see now that you are drunk.”
“Let me inform you,” said Sir Richard, “that missish airs don’t suit those clothes. Moreover, I don’t like them. Either you will travel to Somerset in my company, or you will go back to your aunt. Take your choice!”
“Do please consider!” begged Miss Creed. “You know I am obliged to travel in the greatest secrecy. If you went with me, no one would know what had become of you.”
“No one would know what had become of me,” repeated Sir Richard slowly. “No one—my girl, you have no longer any choice: I am going with you to Somerset!”
Chapter 3
As no argument produced the least effect on Sir Richard’s suddenly reckless mood, Miss Creed abandoned her conscientious attempt to dissuade him from accompanying her on her journey, and owned that his protection would be welcome. “It is not that I am afraid to go by myself,” she explained, “but, to tell you the truth, I am not quite used to do things all alone.”