Page:Hope-indiscretions of duchess.djvu/43

Rh “I’m very sorry, my lord——” I began.

“What, have you got another place?”

“No, my lord; not exactly.”

“Then get up on the front seat. Or do you want your employers to say you are disobliging as well as drunken?”

“But the lady sent me——”

“You may leave that to me. Come, jump up! Don’t keep me waiting!”

Doubtfully I stood in the road, the duke glaring at me with impatient anger. Then he leaned forward and said:

“You are curiously reluctant, sir, to earn your living. I don’t understand it. I must make some inquiries about you.”

I detected suspicion dawning in his eyes. He was a great man; I did not know what hindrances he might not be able to put in the way of my disappearance. And what would happen if he made his inquiries? Inquiries might mean searching, and I carried a passport in the name of Gilbert Aycon.

Such share had prudence; the rest must be put down to the sudden impulse of amusement which seized me. It was but for a day or two! Then I could steal away. Meanwhile what would not the face of the duchess say, when I rode up on the front seat!

“I—I was afraid I should not give satisfaction,” I muttered.

“You probably won’t,” said he. “I take you from necessity, not choice, my friend. Up with you!”

And I got up beside the driver—not, luckily,