“Ah, good Tom, so you are e’en at hand when wanted.  I have been detained somewhat longer than I thought; but all is in readiness now for a start for the port of Harwich.  Have you got yourself and Nell into first-class condition? for we have work before us, my lad.”

“But, sir, you will not surely start today, with the shades of evening drawing on so fast?” pleaded Mrs. Tufton, who felt a sinking at heart in the thought of parting from her son again.  “You will lie here for one night at least, and start forth with the day before instead of behind you?”

“If you will favour me with so much hospitality, gracious madam, I should be glad to do so,” answered Lord Claud with a courtly bow; and in another minute his horse was being led away to the stables, and he was following the ladies into the house, speaking so many words of well-chosen admiration for the quaint old manor and the fine meadowland and timber trees about it, that Tom was prouder of his home than he had ever been before, and even of the mother and sister who dwelt there.  For Lord Claud paid them as much attention, and gave them as courtly treatment, as though they had been the highest ladies in the land; and it seemed as though their native refinement and tact enabled them to make fitting reply to him, and to show a certain simple dignity of mien which Tom had never troubled himself to observe in them before.

He observed now that Rachel was a very handsome girl, rather like himself in feature, but with more refinement of aspect and more thoughtfulness of disposition.  This thoughtfulness gave a depth to her eyes and a piquancy to her talk which Tom noted with surprise and admiration; and he was well pleased that both his home and his womenfolk pleased his friend so well.

Mrs. Tufton would fain have learned something of the nature of the errand upon which her son was to start upon the morrow; but Lord Claud fenced cleverly with her questions, and, whilst seeming to reply to them, left her little the wiser.  They were going to take ship for Holland, and thence make their way with despatches to one of the allies of the Duke; so much he let them freely know.  And when she asked if there were peril to face, he laughed lightly as he replied: 

“Madam, there is always peril to be faced whether we bide at home or travel beyond seas.  Your son Tom met more peril in the forest only a few short miles from home, than he has encountered in that great Babylon of London.  It is so with us all.  Ofttimes those that stay snug and safe at home meet with some mishap, whilst the rovers come back safe and sound.  No life can be without its perils; but I have come through so many unscathed, that I have learned not to fear them beforehand.”

“And Tom at least will be serving his country,” said Rachel; “and that is a thousand times better than receiving hurt when in search after idle pleasures.”

Lord Claud bowed to her across the table as he replied: