“I trust so, my lord,” said Heriot;—“nay, in this particular, I do not doubt it.—But why did you leave Whitefriars under such circumstances?”
“Master Reginald Lowestoffe sent a boat for me, with intimation to provide for my safety.”
“I am sorry to say,” replied Heriot, “that he denies all knowledge of your lordship's motions, after having dispatched a messenger to you with some baggage.”
“The watermen told me they were employed by him.”
“Watermen!” said Heriot; “one of these proves to be an idle apprentice, an old acquaintance of mine—the other has escaped; but the fellow who is in custody persists in saying he was employed by your lordship, and you only.”
“He lies!” said Lord Glenvarloch, hastily;—“He told me Master Lowestoffe had sent him.—I hope that kind-hearted gentleman is at liberty?”
“He is,” answered Heriot; “and has escaped with a rebuke from the benchers, for interfering in such a matter as your lordship's. The Court desire to keep well with the young Templars in these times of commotion, or he had not come off so well.”
“That is the only word of comfort I have heard from you,” replied Nigel. “But this poor woman,—she and her trunk were committed to the charge of two porters.”
“So said the pretended waterman; but none of the fellows who ply at the wharf will acknowledge the employment.—I see the idea makes you uneasy, my lord; but every effort is made to discover the poor woman's place of retreat—if, indeed, she yet lives.—And now, my lord, my errand is spoken, so far as it relates exclusively to your lordship; what remains, is matter of business of a more formal kind.”
“Let us proceed to it without delay,” said Lord Glenvarloch. “I would hear of the affairs of any one rather than of my own.”