The Masqueraders

‘Why, what’s this?’ Prudence came to lay a hand on Sir Anthony’s arm. ‘You don’t know me, Tony, if you think I am dragged anywhere.’

He looked down at her with no smile in his eyes. ‘Ay, I’ll believe you went on that mad errand of your own free will.’

Robin’s brows went up; the laugh died on his lips. The gentleman was seriously annoyed, it seemed. Prudence met the hard look squarely. ‘You’re angry with me, Tony? Why?’

‘You can’t guess? It did not occur to you that I might wish to be told of this escapade?’

‘Yes, it occurred to me. But I have told you, Tony, that I do not desire to see you tread our maze.’

‘I’ve the right, I think, to choose for myself. You must still exclude me?’

‘You said that you would hold back from us,’ she said.

‘You mistake, my dear. I said that I would wait to claim you. No more. Mr and Miss Merriot desire no interference or aid in their schemes. Accept my thanks for the compliment.’

‘Tare an’ ’ouns, I believe you’re disappointed you’d no share in it!’ Robin exclaimed.

‘Well, why not?’ said Sir Anthony coolly.

‘My dear sir, you’re not an adventurer. But egad, if I’d guessed this I’d have taken you along. Oh, but conceive Sir Anthony Fanshawe masked upon the high road!’

The stern look abated somewhat. ‘My good boy, must you always harp upon my respectability? I confess I’m hurt. I was always accounted a useful man in a fight.’ He took Prudence’s hand. ‘I wish I could make you understand that I desire nothing better than to walk the maze at your side. You can’t credit it?’

‘Yes, sir, but can you not understand that I would do my uttermost to keep you free of the dangers that surround us? You shall not be angry with me for that.’

‘Give me your word that this shall be the last scrape you enter into without my knowledge.’

There was a serious look for this. Robin spoke from the window. ‘He has the right, I believe, Prue. If he aspires to wed you he must needs share your fortunes.’

‘That,’ said Sir Anthony, ‘is the only sensible thing I have heard you say so far, young man. Come, Prue!’

‘If I must, sir,’ she said reluctantly. But –’ she paused. ‘Oh, it’s a man’s reasoning, and I must still play the man. I promise, Tony.’

‘The storm blows over,’ said Robin. ‘So you guessed the whole affair, O mountain?’

‘It was not very difficult,’ Sir Anthony pointed out.

‘Egad, I hope there are no more of that opinion!’

‘You have to remember that I know something of you. But I’m in the dark. What possessed Letty to elope a second time? I could have sworn she had not a jot of tenderness left for Markham.’

Robin frowned. ‘There’s more to it than that,’ he said.

It was at this moment that my Lord Barham swept into the room. My lord waved a hand in recognition of Sir Anthony, but swooped upon his son. ‘My Robin!’ he cried. ‘Superb! A time-thrust worthy of myself ! I have the whole from John. I knew I might rely on you!’

Sir Anthony cast up his eyes, and retired to the fireplace. ‘I might have known!’ he said. ‘Of course I should have known!’

My lord’s eagle eye was upon him. ‘I assume this gentleman to be in your confidence, my children. I admit him into mine. Sir Anthony, you behold in my son a master-swordsman. I permit myself to take pride in him. A time-thrust – the most dangerous, difficult thrust of all! I kiss your hands, my Robin! I remember that I taught you that pass.’

‘The honours would appear to be divided,’ murmured Sir Anthony, unable to repress a twinkle. ‘Sir, I am wholly at a loss. I wish some one would enlighten me. Do I understand that you planned this affair, my lord?’

My lord was surprised. ‘But can you ask?’ he said.

‘I suppose there is not the need. But I should like to know how you had wind of the elopement.’

My lord gazed at him. ‘Wind of it? I planned it!’ he said magnificently.

The smile died on Sir Anthony’s lips; he stopped twirling his quizzing-glass. He opened his mouth to speak, and shut it again, as though he could find no words.