CHAPTER VIII
THE REJECTED SUITOR
Whether he was surprised or not at finding her there, she could not say:she was trying with all her might to appear astonished and unconcerned.
He made her a low and elaborate bow, and she responded with the deepcurtsey the fashion of the time demanded.
"Begad! the gods do indeed favour me!" he said, his good-looking, jovialface expressing unalloyed delight. "I come to this forsaken spot onGod's earth, and find the fairest in all England treading its unworthysoil."
"I wish you well, Sir Humphrey," she said gently, but coldly. "I had nothought of seeing you here."
"Faith!" he laughed with some bitterness, "I had no hope that thethought of seeing me had troubled your ladyship much. I am on my way toDerby and foolishly thought to take this shorter way across the Moor.Odd's life! I was well-nigh regretting it. I was attacked and robbedlast evening, and the heavy roads force me to spend the night in thisunhallowed tavern. But I little guessed what compensation the Fates hadin store for me."
"I was in a like plight, Sir Humphrey," she said, trying to speak withperfect indifference.
"You were not robbed, surely?"
"Nay, not that, but I hoped to reach Derby sooner by taking the shortcut across the Heath, and the state of the roads has so tired thehorses, I was forced to turn off at the cross-roads and to put up atthis inn."
"Your ladyship is on your way to London?"
"On a visit to my aunt, Lady Edbrooke."
"Will you honour me by accepting my protection? 'Tis scarce fit for yourladyship to be travelling all that way alone."
"I thank you, Sir Humphrey," she rejoined coldly. "My man, Timothy, iswith me, besides the driver. Both are old and trusted servants. I meetsome friends at Wirksworth. I shall not be alone."
"But..."
"I pray you, sir, my time is somewhat short. I had started out for alittle fresh air and exercise before re-entering my coach. The inn wasso stifling and..."
"Surely your ladyship will spend the night here. You cannot reachWirksworth before nightfall now. I am told the road is well-nighimpassable."
"Nay! 'tis two hours before sunset now, and three before dark. I hopeto reach Wirksworth by nine o'clock to-night. My horses have had a goodrest."
"Surely you will allow me to escort you thus far, at least?"
"Your horses need a rest, Sir Humphrey," she said impatiently, "and Ibeg you to believe that I have sufficient escort."
With a slight inclination of the head she now turned to go. From whereshe stood she could just see the road winding down towards Stich'sforge, and she had caught sight of Betty's trim little figure steppingbriskly along.
Sir Humphrey, thus obviously dismissed, could say no more for thepresent. To force his escort upon her openly was unfitting the mannersof a gentleman. He bit his lip and tried to look gallantly disappointed.His keen dark eyes had already perceived that in spite of herself-control she was labouring under strong excitement. He forced hisharsh voice to gentleness, even to tenderness, as he said,--
"I have not dared to speak to your ladyship on the subject that laynearest my heart."
"Sir Humphrey..."
"Nay! I pray you do not misunderstand me. I was thinking of Philip,and hoped you were not too unhappy about him."
"There is no cause for unhappiness just yet," she said guardedly, "andevery cause for hope."
"Ah! that's well!" he said cheerfully. "I entreat you not to give uphope, and to keep some faith and trust in your humble servant, who wouldgive his life for you and yours."
"My faith and trust are in God, Sir Humphrey, and in my brother'sinnocence," she replied quietly.
Then she turned and left him standing there, with a frown upon hisgood-looking face, and a muttered curse upon his lips. He watched heras she went down the road, until a sharp declivity hid her from hisview.
Beau Brocade: A Romance Page 8