"I couldn't leave ye to stay with her, sir."
"Are you sure? I do not want you to come against your inclinations."
"Women ain't everything, sir."
"Are they not? I think they are ... a great deal," said my lordwistfully.
"I'm mighty fond o' Mary, but she knows I must go with you."
"Does she? But is it quite fair to her? And I believe I am not minded todrag you 'cross Continent again."
"Ye won't leave me behind, sir? Ye couldn't do that! Sir-ye're neverthinking of going by yourself? I--I--I won't let ye!"
"I am afraid I cannot spare you. But if you should change your mind,tell me. Is it a promise?"
"Ay, sir. If I _should_ change my mind." Salter's smile was grimlysarcastic.
"I am selfish enough to hope you'll not change. I think no one elsewould bear with my vile temper as you do. Help me out of this coat, willyou?"
"I'll never change, sir. And as to tempers--As if I minded!"
"No. You are marvellous. My breeches. Thanks."
He shed his satin small-clothes, and proceeded to enter into whitebuckskins. "Not those boots, Jim, the other pair." He leaned against thetable as he spoke, drumming his fingers on a chair-back.
A knock fell on the door, at which he frowned and signed to Jim, whowalked across and opened it, slightly.
"Is your master here?" inquired a well-known voice, and at the sound ofit my lord's face lighted up, and Salter stood aside.
"Come in, Miles!"
The big Irishman complied and cast a swift glance round the disorderedroom. He raised his eyebrows at sight of Jack's riding boots and lookedinquiringly across at him.
My lord pushed a chair forward with his foot.
"Sit down, man! I thought you were in London?"
"I was. I brought Molly home yesterday, the darlint, and I heard that yewere leaving here this afternoon."
"Ah?"
"And as I'm not going to let ye slip through me fingers again, I thoughtI would come and make sure of ye. Ye are a deal too slippery, Jack."
"Yet I was coming to see you again whatever happened."
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"Of course. Ye are coming now--to stay."
"Oh no!"
O'Hara placed his hat and whip on the table, and stretched his legs witha sigh.
"Sure, 'tis stiff I am! Jim, I've a chaise outside for the baggage, soye may take it down as soon as may be."
"Leave it where it is, Jim. Miles, 'tis monstrous good of you, but--"
"Keep your buts to yourself, Jack. Me mind's made up."