Lord Claud shook his head slightly.

“In time, perhaps, in time; but you are too sorely beset at this moment for that.  We will talk of that later.  Now you must away with all speed.  My house will be watched next.  Indeed, I have had some ill-looking fellows asking questions and hanging round already.  To the forest with you, good Tom, to the forest.  That is the only safe place for you now.  If you fled to Gablehurst, you would only bring sorrow and shame on all who love you.  Lucky for you your mother still reigns there.  Leave it to me to set her mind, and that of your sister, at rest concerning you.  But you must to the forest, my good comrade, and to the free and merry life there.  Egad!  I could wish that I were going with you myself!  Indeed, I may perchance join you there ere long.  But we must not vanish together, Tom.  We must use caution and circumspection.”

Tom set his teeth, and a fierce wave swept over him, half of rage, yet half of joy.  The longing for freedom, struggle, adventure, was strong upon him.  The restraint of the city, the bare thought of captivity, put wild thoughts into heart and brain; but the sense of having been betrayed—­made a tool of—­befooled by this handsome, imperious man beside him, set his blood boiling in his veins.

At that moment Nell Gwynne was led out, making sparks fly from her feet as she plunged in passing beneath the doorway.  She looked in perfect condition—­sleek, mettlesome, strong, and beautiful.  Tom’s heart leaped at the sight of the splendid creature, who turned a responsive head at the sound of his voice, and dropped her velvet nose into his hand.

“She is yours, Tom, from this moment,” said Lord Claud, signing away the servant, and himself holding her head; “take her as the gift of one who is neither so indifferent nor so callous as you may think.  Here is a purse of gold, too, Tom—­all your own, my lad, so shrink not from taking it.  Tom, whatever be the end of this friendship betwixt us, believe that I have loved you.  It is my luckless lot to bring misfortune at times to those who consort with me; yet methinks they have their fierce tastes of joy, too.  Tom, I shall not forget you.  I shall hear of you.  I shall sometimes see you; and I shall be your friend, whether or not you believe it now.  You shall not always need to dwell in the forest.  You shall return thence with fame and fortune secure.

“But, for the present, farewell.  Captain Jack will give you welcome.  He will be looking to see you.  He will welcome you gladly.  You will find it no such bad life, believe me.  But delay not longer.  Be off!”

Tom was in the saddle, and the mare reared beneath him with a snort of glad anticipation.  She had done no work this many a day, being kept in readiness for Tom’s use, with only the needful modicum of exercise up and down within hail of her stable.

Lord Claud stretched out his hand, and Tom put his within it.  After all, he loved this man in spite of all his faults and follies, and the strange reputation which clave to him.  He might be false, but Tom had trusted him, and he desired to trust him to the end.