Part 63 (1/2)

”Have you any objection to my going with you?” he inquired.

”Not in the least,” answered the Captain, making hideous faces at himself in the mirror as he shaved, ”oh, no--delighted, 'pon my soul, b'gad--only--”

”Well?”

”Only, if it's time you're going to ask for--it's no go, my boy--hard-fisted old rasper, you know the saying,--(Bible, I think), figs, b'gad, and thistles, bread from stones, but no mercy from Jasper Gaunt.”

”I don't seek his mercy,” said Barnabas.

”Why, then, my dear Beverley--ha! there's Jenk come up to say the curricle's at the door.”

Sure enough, at the moment, the Viscount's gentleman presented himself to announce the fact, albeit mournfully and with a sigh. He was about to bow himself out again when the Viscount stayed him with an upraised finger.

”Jenkins,” said he, ”my very good Jenk!”

”Yes, m'lud?” said Jenkins.

”Is the person with the--ah--bristles--still downstairs?”

”He is, m'lud,” said Jenkins, with another sigh.

”Then tell him to possess his soul in patience, Jenk,--for I fear he will remain there a long, long time.”

CHAPTER x.x.xIV

OF THE LUCK OF CAPTAIN SLINGSBY, OF THE GUARDS

”You don't mind if we--drive about a bit, do you, Beverley?”

”Not in the least.”

”I--er--I generally go the longest way round when I have to call on--”

”On Gaunt?”

”Yes.”

Now as they went, Barnabas noticed that a change had come over his companion, his voice had lost much of its jovial ring, his eye its sparkle, while his ruddy cheeks were paler than their wont; moreover he was very silent, and sat with bent head and with his square shoulders slouched dejectedly. Therefore Barnabas must needs cast about for some means of rousing him from this depression.

”You drive a very handsome turnout,” said he at last.

”It is neat, isn't it?” nodded Slingsby, his eye brightening.

”Very!” said Barnabas, ”and the horses--”

”Horses!” cried the Captain, almost himself again, ”ha, b'gad--there's action for you--and blood too! I was a year matching 'em. Cost me eight hundred guineas--and cheap at the money--but--”

”Well?”