Yet his own heart-strings tugged him homewards, whilst that fetish, honour, held him bound at the Goat and Compasses.
The power of a strong will over a weak had already given him some influence with Sir Stephen, and he would not leave him alone in the company of such men as Denningham and Trouet.
Mollie's story had convinced him that the honour of more than one house was at stake. And Morice Conyers was Gabrielle's brother.
There was little of the dare-devil, racketing youth left in the sober-eyed man who sat pondering over the fire, whilst without, in the yard, the ostlers called to each other, laughing and joking, as they led out the roan horses which my Lord Denningham was driving to Brighton, comparing them with the blacks which Mr. Berrington handled with such skill.
And upstairs a group of finely-clothed gentlemen lounged over their wine, which they found soothing enough after shouting themselves hoarse in anathemas on Mollie's devoted head for the foulest omelette ever beaten.
But Mollie, escaping in good time to her chamber, laughed softly as she tucked away her guinea in a silken pouch, and reflected how truly angry that hateful little Moosoo would be if he knew how she had tried to foil his nasty, creepy ways.
Faugh! The snake! How she hated him, although he called her "Ze pretty, pretty Mollee."
Mollie indeed! The impertinence!