Here they were met by the butler, who brought the welcome intelligence that dinner was served. Though it was judged expedient that the prince should lodge within the castle, it was not thought necessary that he should dine there.
“If I am not able to entertain your majesty as well as I could desire,” said Mr. Forster, “I trust you will excuse me on the ground that I have had little time for preparation. I cannot give you a banquet such as we partook of yesterday at Dilston.”
“Make no apologies,” said the prince. “I am no epicure, and care not how plain the fare may be. Apropos of the feast of yesterday! where is Lord Derwentwater?”
Mr. Forster could not answer the question, but the butler being applied to, said that neither his lordship nor the young lady with him had arrived.
“This is strange!'' exclaimed the prince.
“Your majesty need not feel uneasy,” laughed Forster. “They will be here presently. Is it your pleasure to wait dinner for them?”
His highness did not deem that necessary, but thought some one ought to go in quest of them.
“That will I,” cried Lord Widdrington.
And hieing at once to the stable, he called for his horse, and attended by a couple of grooms, set off towards Dunstanborough.