'Take my arm,' said Herries, kindly. 'We'll have a turn in the sun, below the castle.'
They proceeded for some way in silence. One subject tormented Herries's thoughts; he was impelled--unlike himself, somehow--to give it utterance.
'I was right, and you wrong, about a trifle, the other night, Creighton,' he said. 'A young lady of our acquaintance, who refused my escort up the town, did so because she had something to hide.'
'Who told you?' asked Creighton, sharply.
'Lizzie,' said Herries. 'The lass Mysie told tales when she got home. She was heavily fee'd to hold her tongue about some letter secretly left.'
'And you tell me,' exclaimed Creighton, with unexpected energy, 'that you listen to the gossip of servants on such a subject! Fie, for shame, sir! Besides, are you the Grand Turk, or a Catholic Inquisitor, that a girl may not leave a letter on a friend? Just as likely it was not her own letter, but your cousin's; and as to the feeing, why, 'twas the New Year time, and she would have to fee the lass for her trouble.'
'A crown is a heavy fee from a girl's slender purse to a scullion,' said Herries, moodily. 'I have an inkling,' he went on, frowning, 'where the letter was left--St. James's Square, I dare be sworn! We know who lodges there, and the women can no more keep off him than flies from honey.'
'Bless me!' said Creighton. 'Are you blaming our poor Rob? Nay, sir, but what a strange, far-fetched idea. I had hardly realised the Bard was known to your cousin, though I think you told me they met some weeks ago.'
'By this time, I daresay, he frequents my cousin's house,' said Herries, quietly, 'for that's his way in such matters. A scoundrel in manners,' went on the young lawyer, angrily; 'the seducer of women--I know him! I'd sooner trust the lamb with the wolf, than a young, inexperienced girl with such a man. The glamour of his genius hides the corruption of his mind. The thought of that danger is sickening.'
'Wheesht, wheest!' said Creighton. 'I don't gainsay that he is warm--too warm, poor Rob! But believe me, sir, 'tis not the young and noble and innocent--like our fair friend who shall be nameless--that such a man seeks. 'Tis the more experienced women--ripe for dalliance--versed in such ardours--'
