The group was broken up by the guard admonishing the gentlemen to
take their seats. Farewells were exchanged; and Lord Worthington
cried, "Take care of yourself," to Cashel Byron, who replied
somewhat impatiently, and with an apprehensive glance at Miss Carew,
"All right! all right! Never you fear, sir." Then the train went
off, and he was left on the platform with the two ladies.
"We are returning to the park, Mr. Cashel Byron," said Lydia.
"So am I," said he. "Perhaps--" Here he broke down, and looked at
Alice to avoid Lydia's eye. Then they went out together.
When they had walked some distance in silence, Alice looking rigidly
before her, recollecting with suspicion that he had just addressed
Lord Worthington as "sir," while Lydia was admiring his light step
and perfect balance, which made him seem like a man of cork; he
said, "I saw you in the park yesterday, and I thought you were a ghost.
But my trai--my man, I mean--saw you too. I knew by that that you
were genuine."
"Strange!" said Lydia. "I had the same fancy about you."
"What! You had!" he exclaimed, looking at her. While thus unmindful
of his steps, he stumbled, and recovered himself with a stifled
oath. Then he became very red, and remarked that it was a warm
evening.
Miss Goff, whom he had addressed, assented. "I hope," she added,
"that you are better."
He looked puzzled. Concluding, after consideration, that she had
referred to his stumble, he said, "Thank you: I didn't hurt myself."
"Lord Worthington has been telling us about you," said Lydia. He
recoiled, evidently deeply mortified. She hastened to add, "He
mentioned that you had come down here to recruit your health; that
is all."
Cashel's features relaxed into a curious smile. But presently he
became suspicious, and said, anxiously, "He didn't tell you anything
else about me, did he?"
Alice stared at him superciliously. Lydia replied, "No. Nothing
else."
"I thought you might have heard my name somewhere," he persisted.
"Perhaps I have; but I cannot recall in what connection. Why? Do you
know any friend of mine?"
"Oh, no. Only Lord Worthington."
"I conclude then that you are celebrated, and that I have the
misfortune not to know it, Mr. Cashel Byron. Is it so?"
"Not a bit of it," he replied, hastily. "There's no reason why you
should ever have heard of me. I am much obliged to you for your kind
inquiries," he continued, turning to Alice. "I'm quite well now,
thank you. The country has set me right again."