"Of course you cannot. I have never known you lie. You need not fear I shall betray you. I kept silence all these years for my lord's sake, and I will not speak now until you give me leave."
"Which I never shall."
"Master Jack, think better of it, I beg of you! Now that my lord is dead-"
"It makes no difference."
"No difference? 'Twas not for his sake? 'Twas not because you knew how he loved Master Dick?"
"No."
"Then 'tis Lady Lavinia-"
"No."
"But-"
My lord smiled sadly.
"Ah, Warburton! And you averred you knew us through and through! For whose sake should it be but his own?"
"I feared it!" The lawyer made a hopeless gesture with his hands. "You will not come back?"
"No, Warburton, I will not; Dick may manage my estates. I remain on the road."
Warburton made one last effort.
"My lord!" he cried despairingly, "Will you not at least think of the disgrace to the name an you be caught?"
The shadows vanished from my lord's eyes.
"Mr. Warburton, I protest you are of a morbid turn of mind! Do you know, I had not thought of so unpleasant a contingency? I swear I was not born to be hanged!"
The lawyer would have said more, had not the entrance of a servant, carrying a loaded tray, put an end to all private conversation. The man placed dishes upon the table, lighted candles, and arranged two chairs.
"Dinner is served, sir," he said.
My lord nodded, and made a slight gesture toward the windows. Instantly the man went over to them and drew the heavy curtains across.
My lord turned to Mr. Warburton.
"What say you, sir? Shall it be burgundy or claret, or do you prefer sack?"
Warburton decided in favour of claret.
"Claret, Jim," ordered Carstares, and rose to his feet.
"I trust the drive has whetted your appetite, Warburton, for honest Chadber will be monstrous hurt an you do not justice to his capons."
"I shall endeavour to spare his feelings," replied the lawyer with a twinkle, and seated himself at the table.
Whatever might be Mr. Chadber's failings, he possessed an excellent cook. Mr. Warburton dined very well, beginning on a fat duck, and continuing through the many courses that constituted the meal.
When the table was cleared, the servant gone, and the port before them, he endeavoured to guide the conversation back into the previous channels. But he reckoned without my lord, and presently found himself discussing the Pretender's late rebellion. He sat up suddenly.
"There were rumours that you were with the Prince, sir."