"And now for the rooms. Shall we say half a dozen pistoles more?"
"That will be most handsome payment."
"On an occasion of this kind one must behave handsomely," said Peters, putting down the money. "My master is rich—at any rate, he will be so."
"I hope he has got an heiress," observed the hostess.
Peters said nothing, but winked significantly.
This concluded the arrangement.
Everything being settled in a manner entirely satisfactory to both parties, the adroit emissary took leave of Dame Swan, and rode back as quickly as he could to Lyme, being anxious to communicate the good news to his master and the others.
On hearing his account of the affair, they laughed very heartily, and complimented him on the skill he had displayed.
The party then went down to the Cobb to look at the Eider Duck, and were very well satisfied with her appearance. At Captain Ellesdon's earnest request our two Royalists agreed to pass the evening with him, and did not return till next day to Trent.