“My experience will be there to guide you.”
“I see,” said Holles.
“I’ll tell you more precisely how I need you—where you can serve me.”
And Buckingham proceeded to inform him of the well-equipped house in Knight Ryder Street, which he now desired Holles to take in his own name. Having taken it, he was to make the necessary arrangements to carry the girl thither on the evening of Saturday next, after the last performance at the Duke’s House.
“Taking what men you need,” the Duke concluded, “it should be easy to waylay and capture her chair as it is being borne home. We will consider that more closely if the service is one that you are disposed to accept.”
The Colonel’s face was flushed. He felt his gorge rising. At last his anger mastered him, and he heaved himself up to confront the handsome profligate who dared in cold blood to make him this proposal.
“My God!” he growled. “Are you led by your vices like a blind man by his dog?”
The Duke stepped back before the sudden menace of that tone and mien. At once he wrapt himself in a mantle of arrogance.
“I warned you, sir, that I will suffer no heroics; that I will have no man play Bobadil to me. You asked service of me. I have shown you how I can employ you.”