“But there must be a condition: you’ll not ask the lady to uncover her face: she must still remain unknown.”
“Oh, be it so: let Sukey remain unknown; it may save me trouble, to be sure. But let her out, let her out.”
Everell unlocked the door, and, peering in before he opened it wide, saw that Georgiana was still cloaked and veiled. He led her forth with a whispered “Remember!—not a word!”
“Your humble servant, ma’am,” said Thornby, bowing with all the elegance at his command.
Before there was time for either speech or silence, a noise of steps and voices arose outside the apartment. Thornby turned, with a look of wrath at the interruption, toward the door. It was flung open, and a man in cloak and riding-boots walked in, followed by a servant of his own, and by the footman Jabez.
“To horse, Thornby! we must scour the country!” cried the newcomer as he hastily approached. His glance now fell upon Everell and Georgiana, and of a sudden he stopped short, with an ejaculation of surprise.
“What’s the matter, Foxwell?” inquired Thornby. “Why d’ye stare like that?”
CHAPTER XV
PISTOLS
Thornby’s words indicated surprise at Foxwell’s surprise. Foxwell shot a keen glance to see if the other’s surprise was genuine. There could be no doubt of that. This occasioned new surprise in Foxwell.