So you have been fighting again, have you, and
well-nigh killing young Master Brownlow?"
Rupert was completely astounded at this address; and the earl said,
laughing:
"I told you that I expected you. The worthy colonel your
grandfather wrote me a letter, which I received this morning,
telling me the incident which had taken place, and your sudden
disappearance, stating that he doubted not you had made for London,
and begging--which indeed was in no way necessary--my protection on
your behalf."
"Did my grandfather say, sir," Rupert asked anxiously, "aught of
the state of Master Brownlow?"
"Yes; he said that the leech had strong hopes that he would
recover."
"I am indeed glad of that," Rupert said; "for I had no ill will to
him."
"We must be careful of you, Master Holliday," the countess said;
"for if you go on like this you will much diminish the number of
the queen's subjects."
"I can assure your grace," Rupert said earnestly, "that I am no
brawler, and am not quarrelsome by nature, and that the thought of
shedding blood, except of the foes of my country in battle, pains
me much."
"I'll warrant me you are the mildest-tempered boy alive," the earl
said. "Now tell me frankly: you have been in London some
forty-eight hours; have you passed that time without getting into a
fray or quarrel of any kind?"
Rupert turned scarlet with confusion.
"His looks betray him," the earl laughed.
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