"On the whole, then, Juana, our plans seem to have miscarried not a little," said L'Estrange. "Who would have thought of his lordship's pensioning you off so soon? I am sure he shows little taste."
Juana sighed, without answering.
"Egad! that's true, he does show little taste; but don't you get discouraged, my little Juana."
"That unfortunate meeting of Lord and Lady Arranmore with the young lady abroad I fear will undo everything," said the Spaniard.
"It was unlucky! who the deuce would have thought of such a chance? Now, my brother will be swearing about her fidelity, and God knows what not."
"It is these little chances that spoil everything, unless guarded against, and after that capital rumour we got afloat it is too bad."
"You are plural mad to-night," replied the Captain; "'we', it was I, sir, that planned the paragraph, and I who prevented old Ravensworth seeing the denial—it would have been long ere it entered your stupid head!"
"Well, Captain, you need not wrangle; we will give you all the credit of being wise in evil! I envy not the distinction, I am sure, and am not sorry to get the infamy off my hands."
"And d—d ready to profit by it," retorted the Captain. "Well, we won't wrangle, but get to business! Now, my Ahithophel! let us hear what you can counsel."
"I would send Juana to Scotland, and get a meeting between her and Lord Wentworth."