“That seems a strange thing,” said Rachel.

“Not more strange than half the things one sees and hears in the world,” answered Tom, with the air of a man of vast experiences, as indeed he felt himself to be in this company.

Nor did the pleasant feeling wear off with the rapid flight of days.  He was courted, and feted, and made much of by rich and poor alike.  All the gentry of the neighbourhood came flocking to see him; and his old companions, hanging about the stable yard, not daring to present themselves at the house, would beg for a word with Master Tom, and feel themselves quite uplifted and glorified when he came out to them, and stood in their midst, smiling and jovial, but with a something now in his appearance and bearing which seemed to put a great gulf betwixt him and them.

All this was mighty pleasant for Master Tom, though perhaps not the most salutary experience for him.  He had felt qualms of penitence and remorse as he rode homewards, thinking of his follies and weaknesses in the past, ashamed of the class of comrades he had affected then, ashamed of the fashion in which he had spent his days, and of the indifference he had shown to his parents.

But the reception accorded him had dimmed these healthy sentiments, and given him the idea that he was a mighty fine fellow and a great man in his way.  He no longer craved the rule at Gablehurst; he had ambitions of another sort.  He must see the world first, and drink the cup of pleasure to the dregs.  Gablehurst was all very well as a resting place for him when he had had enough of travel, of adventure, of the gay and rollicking life of the town; but for the present let his mother reign there undisturbed.  He had no wish to do so.

Therefore he found it easy to be loving and gentle and kindly towards her and Rachel.  Indeed, Rachel seemed to him a more attractive maiden than she had ever been before.  She had smiles for him, where once she had only grave looks of disapproval; and she delighted in his stories almost as much as Rosamund Cale had done.  Altogether, this visit was a mighty pleasant one for Tom; and it lasted for ten whole days before the news was brought to him that a strange gentleman had ridden up and was asking for him, and he knew that Lord Claud had come to fetch him.

Tom had had the prudence to say very little about their purpose in going abroad.  His mother and sister knew that it had some connection with the war, and that the Duke of Marlborough was going to send some despatches by them; but he told them not to name even this fact to the neighbours, and he had not mentioned to them the mysterious words “secret service.”

When he reached the hall door, there was Lord Claud mounted upon the black horse Lucifer, who looked in tip-top condition.  Mrs. Tufton and Rachel had come out to welcome Tom’s friend, and the rider was sitting bare headed in the afternoon sunlight, looking mightily handsome and gallant.