"I came because it suited me to do so. I never dreamed you were here- 'Pon my soul, I did not!"
"Where then did you think I was?"
"Never thought about you at all, my dear fellow. I'm not your squire."
"Why is Richard here?"
"Lord, what a catechism! He is here because he brought me with him on his way to Wyncham. Have you any objection?"
"It would be useless," shrugged Tracy. "Have I killed that young fool?"
Andrew looked him over in disgust.
"No, you have not. You have barely touched him, thanks be."
"Dear me! Why this sudden affection for Carstares?"
Andrew swung round on his heel, remarking over his shoulder: "He may be a cheat, but he's a damned fine fellow. By Gad! he nearly pinked you as I entered!" He chuckled at the memory of that glorious moment.
"He nearly pinked me a dozen times," replied Tracy, binding his arm round more tightly. "He fights like ten devils. But he was fatigued."
He followed Andrew across the room and stood looking down at his unconscious foe.
Diana's eyes challenged him.
"Stand back, your Grace! You have no more to do here!"
He drew out his snuff-box and took a pinch.
"So that is how the matter lies, my dear. I did not know that."
"You pretend that it would have made a difference in your treatment of me?"
"Not the slightest, child," he replied, shutting the box with a snap. "It has merely come as a slight surprise to me. It seems he has the luck this round." He walked away again as another great bell-peal sounded through the house.
Andrew, pouring cognac into a glass, paused with bottle held in mid-air.
"Thunder and turf! We are like to be a party! Who now?" He set the glass down and lounged out of the room, bottle in hand. They heard him give an astonished cry and a loud laugh, and the next moment O'Hara strode into the room, booted and spurred and enveloped in a heavy surcoat. He came swiftly upon the little group about my lord and went down on one knee beside him. His eyes seemed to take in everyone at a glance. Then he looked across at Richard.
"Is he alive?"
Richard nodded, not meeting the hard, anxious gaze.
O'Hara bent over his friend.
"He has been wounded?"
Diana answered this.
"Only slightly, Sir Miles, but 'twas his shoulder again. He was tired after the ride-Mr. Carstares thinks he has fainted from exhaustion."
O'Hara very gently slipped one arm beneath my lord's shoulders and the other under his knees, rising with him as easily as if he were carrying a baby. He walked over to the couch, lowering his burden on to the cushions that Diana placed to receive him.