“You have persevered in the harassing tactics I suggested in regard to our Mr. Sturton?”
“With the utmost per-sistence, sir.”
“You quite understand that I—ha! I hear a woman weeping, surely?”
“Chamber in your rear, sir, door on your right,” answered Robert the Imperturbable; and he briefly recounted the incident of the unfortunate young gentleman.
“Perfect!” sighed Sir John. “Not vainly have I driven these weary miles in my Lord Sayle’s dust. Let us relieve the lady’s anxiety at once, Robert!” With a gentle, perfunctory rap, Sir John opened the door in question and beheld the unfortunate young gentleman on his knees beside the settle, striving vainly to comfort her who lay there in tearful misery.
“If he kills thee, Jasper—if he should kill thee!” she sobbed.
“Nay, dearest—beloved, he may not be so terrible as they say ... he may but wound me——” Here the young gentleman sprang to his feet as Sir John spoke.
“Pray, forgive this intrusion, but I come to quell this lady’s apprehensions, to bid her weep no more. For, sir, you cannot possibly fight my Lord Sayle——”
“But, sir—sir,” stammered the pale young gentleman, “I ... it seems I must. I have already accepted——”