“I can understand that, William.”

“I was married very quietly, and have been in Italy ever since.  Only four days have elapsed since I returned to England.  My first inquiries were about you.”

“I pray you, do not believe all that my enemies will say of me.”

“Among other things, I was told that you had left the army.”

“That is exactly true.  When I heard that Lord Percy’s regiment was designed for America, and against the Americans, I put it out of the king’s power to send me on such a business.”

“Indeed, I think the Americans have been ill-used; and I find the town in a great commotion upon the matter.  The night I landed, there had come bad news from New York.  The people of that city had burned effigies of Lord North and Governor Hutchinson, and the new troops were no sooner landed than five hundred of them deserted in a body.  At White’s it was said that the king fell into a fit of crying when the intelligence was brought him.”

Hyde’s white face was crimson with excitement, and his eyes glowed like stars as he listened.

[Illustration:  “One night in Rome, in a moment, the thing was altered,”]

“That was like New York; and, faith, if I had been there, I would have helped them!”

“Why not go there?  I owe you much for the hope of which my happiness has robbed you.  I will take Hyde Manor at its highest price; I will add to it fifty thousand pounds indemnity for the loss of the succession.  You may buy land enough for a duchy there, and found in the New World a new line of the old family.  If there is war, you have your opportunity.  If the colonists win their way, your family and means will make you a person of great consideration.  Here, you can only be a member of the family; in America, you can be the head of your own line.  Dick, my dear brother, out of real love and honour I speak these words.”

“Indeed, William, I am very sensible of your kindness, and I will consider well your proposition for you must know that it is a matter of some consequence to me now.  I think, indeed, that my Katherine will be in a transport of delight to return to her native land.  I hear her coming, and we will talk with her; and, anon, you shall confess, William, that you have seen the sweetest woman that ever the sun shone upon.”

Almost with the words she entered, clothed in a white India muslin, with carnations at her breast.  Her high-heeled shoes, her large hoop, and the height to which her pale gold hair was raised, gave to the beautiful woman an air of majesty that amazed the earl.  He bowed low, and then kissed her cheeks, and led her to a chair, which he placed between Hyde and himself.