“He is here,” cried Jesmond, pointing to the footman, a tall, handsome young man.
An exclamation from Sir John was checked by her ladyship, who made a private sign to the footman to hold his tongue.
“You are not making a second blunder, I trust?” said the sheriff.
“No, no! rest easy, Sir William! All right now! I didn't recognise him at first in his disguise. But now I'll swear to him.”
“You will swear that I am the Chevalier de Saint George, whom you call the Pretender?” cried the footman.
“I will,” said Jesmond.
Again Sir John would have interfered, if a look from her ladyship had not kept him quiet.
“You need have no hesitation, Sir William,” said Jesmond. “I will take all consequences on my own head.”
“But your head is nothing,” rejoined the sheriff.
After a moment's consideration, he told Sir John Webb he must turn back, and accompany him to Newcastle.