“Then we are brothers once again, Tom!  Brothers now and always!”

“Now and always!” echoed Tom, in a voice almost the echo of Lord Claud’s.  “Now and always!”

CHAPTER XIII.  ON THE KING’S HIGHWAY.

A handsome and remarkably elegant vehicle stood at the door of Lord Claud’s lodgings, with two fine horses harnessed to it.

Tom had never seen any conveyance at once so light and handsome, the cumbrous coaches of the times being little to his liking.  He had always travelled afoot or on horseback hitherto, and he had expected to do the same now, when he received his summons from Lord Claud.

That gentleman stood at the door, leisurely drawing on a pair of strong gloves.  He nodded to Tom as he came up.

“It begins to get hot for saddle work,” he remarked in his negligent tones; “besides, I want to make trial of this new-fashioned carriage.  I won it from my lord of Gratton three days since; and he boasts that it has been copied from one in the possession of the King of France, who is said to be a monarch of a very excellent taste.  At least it will carry us to St. Albans, and bring us safely back three days hence;” and turning to the valet who was holding his snuff box and cane, he added: 

“If any call and ask for me, tell them I have driven into the country, but look to be home in three days’ time.

“Now, Tom, get up, and we will see if we can reach St. Albans ere the dusk fall upon us.”

Lord Claud was dressed in one of his finest suits; all white and silver, with here and there a dash of azure blue.  His hat was set jauntily upon his golden curls, innocent today of any touch of powder.  His blue eyes were dreamy and soft in expression.  He looked like one who goes forth a-wooing, in all the gay frippery supposed to be pleasing in a maiden’s eyes.  He had even discarded his sword, and only wore a short jewelled rapier, such as he sometimes put on rather for ornament than use.

He saluted passers by with an air of negligent grace, replying with a smile to those friends who paused and bandied jests with him, asking him where the fair lady was with whom he was going to visit.

Tom was also dressed in his best, and looked a fitting comrade for the young exquisite now leisurely mounting to the seat beside him.  There was no place for a servant upon the carriage, and Tom had learned by this time that Lord Claud was no more really dependent than he was himself upon the attentions of a valet.  He was rather in a fog as to what all this was about, whither they were bound, and what they were to accomplish; but he was willing to be led by the strong will of his companion, and to follow him wherever he went.

Tom’s irritation and perplexity had not decreased during the past days.  He was at his wits’ end for money; and it seemed to him that if he could not obtain the payment due, he must either trust to his luck at gambling for funds, or else go home and settle down at Gablehurst once again.