n's sake don't bring up any little rebels!
And Captain Fitzgerald," he added, meaningly, "don't imagine I
can't see as far as other men! No thanks! No! I hate thanks, and
tears--and--and--Good-morning, ladies, good-morning!" whereupon
he rose and shuffled over in front of the fire, where he stood
rubbing his hands, leaving us to bow ourselves out to a full view
of his back, which, upon my soul, was a fairer landscape than his
face--but with Margaret holding fast the order for her brother's
release.

CHAPTER VI

HOW I TAKE TO THE ROAD AGAIN, AND OF THE COMPANY
I FALL IN WITH

I fully expected an outburst from Lady Jane the moment we were in
the coach, but all she said was:

"Such a man! I have known women silly and vain; I have known women
cruel and brainless; but such a combination of the qualities I
never expected to meet in man; it makes me blush for the vices of
my sex!"

"Do not scold him, dear, do not scold him!" cried Margaret, joyously.
"My heart is too full of thankfulness to hear a word against him."

"My dear Mistress--Margaret," said I, "I would not for the world
dash your joy, but there is still much to do, for I doubt if even
the King could give a pardon off-hand in this fashion. Remember,
England is not France."

"Oh, do not say it is useless!" she cried, in sudden alarm.

"Not useless, certainly. I doubt, however, if the presentation of
that scrap of paper before the gates of Fort William would reward
you with anything more than the most bitter of disappointments and
a broken heart. It was an easy way enough for his Grace to rid
himself of our importunities, but we'll make it more effective than
he guesses. Now is the time for the Vicomte to play his part. He
is in a position where, with many anxious to do him favours, he
can readily place this in the proper channel where it will go
through the necessary hands, of which we know nothing, and could
not reach if we did; he can so place it without reflection on his
position, without suspicion of his motive, and I'm certain you can
count upon his best efforts in your service."

"Come, come, Hughie!" broke in Lady Jane; "you needn't be trying
to take credit to yourself for what Gaston is only too ready to
do. That your flattering and ready tongue stood us in good stead
with this silly noddy I'll not dispute, but I can readily see as
clearly as he says he can; and though your suggestion is good, it
should end there. Let Gaston make his offers