“Wearing top-boots, was he?” said Lord Lionel. “That settles it! He had some journey in mind, though why he must needs make a mystery—However, it doesn’t signify! I daresay he meant to have returned last night, but took some fancy into his head, or was in some way detained. I do not by any means despair of seeing him walk in at any moment. Captain Belper, I am keeping you from your bed! I am obliged to you for your solicitude, but I will not have you waiting here upon my nephew’s crotchets. That would never do! Good-night, sir!”
Finding that his lordship’s hand was held out to him, Captain Belper had nothing to do but to take it, to reiterate his fervent desire to be of assistance, and to allow himself to be ushered out of the house by Borrowdale.
“The man’s a fool!” remarked his lordship, as soon as the door was shut. “So are you, Nettlebed! You may be off too!”
“I blame myself, my lord. I should never—”
“Pooh! nonsense!” said Lord Lionel, cutting him short. “His Grace was never set upon in broad daylight, let me tell you!”
He waited until Nettlebed had withdrawn, and then said abruptly: “Was his Grace suffering from any irritation of nerves? Did he seem to you to be in his customary spirits?”
“Perfectly, my lord,” responded Scriven. “Indeed, his Grace had conveyed to me a very gratifying piece of intelligence, desiring me to send an advertisement to the papers of his forthcoming—”
“Yes, yes, I saw the notice! I had looked for a word from his Grace, but I have had no letter from him.” He paused, recalling his conversation with Gilly on the subject of his marriage. “H’m, yes! Well! Nothing had occurred to set up his back? some little nonsense, perhaps? He has sometimes some odd humours!”
“No, my lord, unless it be that his Grace—as I thought—did not quite relish Captain Belper’s companionship,” said Scriven, with his eyes cast down.
“Upon my word I do not blame him!” said his lordship. “I had not thought him to have been such a jackass! I am sorry now that I advised him of his Grace’s coming. But he would not run out of town for such a reason as that!”