In this frame of mind I drew near to that corner of the garden where she had stood with me, that quiet shady corner which henceforth would remain enshrined within my memory for her sake, which----
I stopped suddenly short at the sight of two figures--one in the cap and apron of a waiting-maid and the other in the gorgeous plush and gold braid of a footman; and they were standing upon the very spot where Lisbeth and I had stood, and in almost the exact attitude--it was desecration.
I stood stock-still despite the Imp's frantic tugs at my coat, all other feelings swallowed up in one of half-amused resentment. Then the resplendent footman happened to turn his head, presently espied me, and removing his plush-clad arm from the waist of the trim maid-servant, and doubling his fists, strode towards us with a truly terrible mien.
"And w'ot might your game be?" he inquired, with that supercilious air inseparable from plush and gold braid. "Oh, I know your kind, I do--I know yer!"
"Then, fellow," quoth I, "I know not thee."
"Don't get trying to come over me," said he indignantly. "The question is, w'ot are you 'anging round 'ere for?"
Now, possibly deceived by my pacific attitude, or inspired by the bright eyes of the trim maid-servant, he seized me, none too gently, by the collar, to the horrified dismay of the Imp.
"You are a-going to come up to the 'ouse with me, and none of your nonsense, either; d'ye 'ear?"
"Then must I needs smite thee for a barbarous dog--hence--base slave--begone!"
Wherewith I delivered what is technically known in "sporting" circles as a "right hook to the ear," followed by a "left swing to the chin," and my assailant immediately disappeared behind a bush, with a flash of pink silk calves and buckled shoes. Then, while the trim maid-servant filled the air with her lamentations, the Imp and I ran hot-foot for the wall, over which I bundled him neck and crop, and we set off pell-mell along the river-path.
"Oh, Uncle Dick," he panted, "how--how fine you are! You knocked yon footman--I mean varlet--from his saddle like--like anything. Oh, I do wish you would play like this every night!"
Coming at last to the Shrubbery gate, we paused awhile to regain our breath.