"It was the obvious thing to do."
"Maybe, but I fancy I know ye just a little too well to believe any cock-and-bull story I'm told about ye. And even if I had been fool enough to have believed it, do ye think I'd be going back on ye? Sure, 'tis a poor friend I'd be!" .
Jack stared down at the toe of his right boot in silence.
"I know something more than we guessed happened at that same party, and I have me suspicions, but 'tis your affair, and whatever ye did ye had your reasons for. But, Jack, why in the name of wonder must ye fly off to the devil alone knows where, without so much as a good -bye to anyone?"
Carstares never raised his eyes from the contemplation of that boot. He spoke with difficulty.
"Miles-in my place-would you not have done the same?"
"Well-"
"You know you would. Was it likely that I should inflict myself on you at such a time? What would you have thought of me had I done so?"
O'Hara brought his hand down smartly on the other's knee.
"I'd have thought ye less of a young fool! I would have gone away with ye, and nothing would have stopped me!"
Jack looked up and met his eyes.
"I know," he said. "'Twas the thought of that-and-and-I could not be sure. How should I know whether you would even receive me? Last night-last night-I was horribly afraid. . . ."
The hand on his knee tightened.
"Ye foolish boy! Ye foolish boy!"
Bit by bit he drew the story of the past six years out of Carstares, and though it was a very modified version, Miles understood his friend well enough to read between the lines.
"And now," said Jack, when the recital was over, "tell me about yourself. When did you marry the attractive lady whom I have just been kissing?"
"Ye rogue! I married Molly three years ago. 'Tis a real darling she is, isn't she? And upstairs there's a little chap-your godson."
"You lucky fellow! My godson, you say? Could you not find anyone more worthy for that? I want to see him."
"So ye shall presently. Have ye seen Richard?"
"A year ago I held up his coach. 'Twas dark, and I could scarce see him, but I thought he seemed aged."
"Aged! Ye wouldn't be afther knowing him! 'Tis an old man he is. Though I swear 'tis no wonder with that hussy about the house! Lord, Jack, you were well out of that affair with her ladyship!"
Carstares nursed his foot reflectively.
"Lavinia? What ails her?"