“Thank you, my lord. Some other time I will have that pleasure,” answered Ranty. “At present, we have no time to spare; every minute is precious.”
Without further parley, the whole party left the house. A carriage and fast horses were in waiting; and a few moments after they were on their way.
During the journey, there was a chance to explain everything more fully than had yet been done, and Ray entered willingly into all particulars.
Lord and Lady De Courcy seemed never tired of asking questions concerning Erminie; and Ray expatiated on her goodness and beauty in a way to satisfy even the most exacting.
“Being so beautiful, of course she might have had many suitors?” said Lady Maude, somewhat anxiously.
“She might have had, my dear mother.” She seemed so strongly attached to him already that it became quite natural to Ray to call her mother. “But she would listen to none of them.”
“Thank Heaven for that!” said Lady Maude, drawing a deep breath of relief. “Then her affections are still her own?”
“On that point I am not informed. Perhaps,” said Ray, glancing at Ranty with a wicked look in his dark eyes, “Mr. Lawless can throw a little light on the subject. He and Erminie are very confidential friends!”
Poor Ranty reddened to the very roots of his hair under the imputation, and the look that Lord and Lady De Courcy gave him.
“Never mind, my dear boy,” said Lord De Courcy, kindly, as he saw his confusion. “Erminie herself shall tell us all about it when we see her.”