“It was Jack who came to cheer me,” I said presently.
“His faith in you was never shaken, sweetheart. But I went to Newmarket and Ampthill, and behaved like the ingrate I was. I richly deserved the scolding he had for me when I got back to town, which sent me running to Arlington Street. There I met Dr. James coming out, who asked me if I was Mr. Carvel, and told me that you had called my name.”
“And, you goose, you never suspected,” says she, smiling.
“How was I to suspect that you loved a provincial booby like me, when you had the choice of so many accomplished gentlemen with titles and estates?”
“How were you to perceive, indeed, that you had qualities which they lacked?”
“And you were forever vowing that you would marry a nobleman, my lady. For you said to me once that I should call you so, and ride in the coach with the coroneted panels when I came home on a visit.”
“And I said, too,” retorted Dolly, with mischief in her eyes, “do you remember what I told you the New Year's eve when we sat out by the sundial at Carvel Hall, when I was so proud of having fixed Dr. Courtenay's attentions? I said that I should never marry you, sir, who was so rough and masterful, and thrashed every lad that did not agree with you.”
“Alas, so you did, and a deal more!” I exclaimed.
With that she broke away from me and, getting to her feet, made me a low curtsey with the grace that was hers alone.
“You are my Lord and my King, sir,” she said, “and my rough Patriot squire, all in one.”