But another guest cursed Lord Spencer as a cowardly villain. It was Sir Edward Mackie.
“There’s a story that it was Clancarty who fought the duel with Lord Savile at Newmarket,” said another; “what say you to that, Mackie?”
“Jove!” exclaimed one of the secretary’s guests, “I’ll wager ten pounds he’s gone to warn them!”
And Vernon only smiled.
CHAPTER XXVI
THE ARREST
IN spite of Alice’s warning, in spite of the deadly peril that surrounded him, Clancarty lingered at his wife’s side. It was hard to say farewell, hard to leave her, and though her heart was filled with misgivings and anxieties, Lady Betty could not urge him to go; indeed, she clung to him, weeping at the thought of a parting that involved such perils and hardships for him and such sorrow for her. Moreover, there was much to talk of and to plan. They did not mean to be separated long; she was to go with him to the Continent or to Ireland, and there were a thousand details to arrange, a thousand hopes and fears to strengthen or allay—and they were lovers, and when did lovers ever learn to watch the tedious hand of time?