"Shot if I know a bit more than you do," replied the Captain, seeing his error, "any fool could see she was Spanish—she's jolly pretty, whatever she is. Egad, what eyes! I could have lit my pipe at them! Now to my mind she is a far jollier girl than even your inamorata, Ellen Ravensworth—so much passion in her eyes! 'Oh, never talk again to me of northern climes and British ladies.'"
"I hope you don't mean to compare her with Miss Ravensworth, a high born Scotch lady? Compare Ellen with a girl like that, a mere fancy girl, I'll stake high."
"Blowed if I care whether she be a fancy girl, or a fancy anything else; she has taken my fancy I know, and I shall think you an uncommon fool if you don't look after her."
"I shall certainly make inquiries who and what she is. Pierre, my valet, will find out everything—he is a clever ferret."
"Egad, you're right there," answered the Captain, laughing in his sleeve at the bait taking so well. "I know Wentworth's weak point," he muttered to himself, and then said aloud, "And now, as she doesn't seem inclined to vouchsafe us another glance—what is the order of the day? Confound it! there comes that vile snow on again!"
"I have a good deal of business to transact one way and another. Ah! here's Smith, my secretary," said the Earl, as he heard a knock at the door; "Come in."
The door opened, yet it was not Smith that entered, but a tall, middle-aged gentleman, immensely stout, and still in the full vigour of health and strength. He walked like a king—and such he was, or was soon at least to be, already king in everything but name; his full ruddy face and double chin gave him a jolly aspect, and his star and garter proclaimed him to be none other than George Prince Regent.
"How are you again, my Lord Wentworth? How d'you do, my bully boy? Wild as ever, eh! De Vere?"
"May it please your Royal Highness, I never was more flourishing, and am right glad to see my Prince so hearty."
"Sit down, my Lord—sit down, Captain, no ceremony! I'll take wine," said the Regent, filling a bumper, and draining it off to their health. "Wentworth," he continued, "I sup with you to-night—is eleven too early?"