eamed and sparkled
diamond-like, he pondered his course, and wondered now, at the last
moment, was there no way to avert this meeting. Could not the matter be
arranged? He was stirred out of his musings by Gascoigne's voice, raised
to curse the tardiness of Lord Rotherby.

"'Slife! Where does the fellow tarry? Was he so drunk last night that
he's not yet slept himself sober?"

"The streets are astir," put in Wharton, helping himself to snuff. And,
indeed, the cries of the morning hawkers reached them now from the four
sides of the square. "If his lordship does not come soon, I doubt if we
may stay for him. We shall have half the town for spectators."

"Who are these?" quoth Gascoigne, stepping aside and craning his neck
to get a better view. "Ah! Here they come." And he indicated a group of
three that had that moment passed the palings.

Gascoigne and Wharton went to meet the newcomers. Lord Rotherby was
attended by Mainwaring, a militia captain--a great, burly, scarred
bully of a man--and a Mr. Falgate, an extravagant young buck of his
acquaintance. An odder pair of sponsors he could not have found had he
been at pains to choose them so.

"Adso!" swore Mr. Falgate, in his shrill, affected voice. "I vow 'tis
a most ungenteel hour, this, for men of quality to be abroad. I had my
beauty sleep broke into to be here in time. Lard! I shall be dozing all
day for't!" He took off his hat and delicately mopped his brow with a
square of lace he called a handkerchief.

"Shall we come to business, gentlemen?" quoth Mainwaring gruffly.

"With all my heart," answered Wharton. "It is growing late."

"Late! La, my dears!" clucked Mr. Falgate in horror. "Has your grace not
been to bed yet?"

"To save time," said Gascoigne, "we have made an inspection of the
ground, and we think that under the trees yonder is a spot not to be
bettered."

Mainwaring flashed a critical and experienced eye over the place. "The
sun is--So?" he said, looking up. "Yes; it should serve well enough,
I--"

"It will not serve at all," cried Rotherby, who stood a pace or two
apart. "A little to the right, there, the turf is better."

"But there is no protection," put in the duke. "You will be under
observation from that side of the square, including Stretton House."

"What odds?" quoth Rotherby. "Do I care who overlooks us?" And he
laughed unpleasantly. "Or is your grace ashamed of being seen in your
friend's company?"

Wharton looked him steadily