The Talisman Ring

Sir Tristram told her in a few brief words. When it was made plain to him that both ladies meant to play important parts in Ludovic’s affair, and that neither of them would so much as listen to the notion of retiring, the one to London, the other to Bath, he said roundly that he would have nothing to do with so crazy an escapade. Eustacie at once replied with the utmost cordiality that he might retire from it with her goodwill, but Ludovic objected that since his left arm would be useless for some little time, he would need Tristram to help him with his housebreaking.

“Do you imagine that I am going to break into Basil’s house?” demanded Sir Tristram.

“Why not?” said Ludovic.

“Not only that,” said Miss Thane thoughtfully, “but we might need you if there is to be any fighting. My brother tells me you have a Right.”

“If,” said Sir Tristram forcibly, “you would all of you rid yourselves of the notion that you are living within the pages of one of Mrs Radcliffe’s romances, I should be grateful! Do you realize that tongues are already wagging up at the Court over Eustacie’s ill-judged, unnecessary, and foolish flight? I dare swear the news of it has even now reached Basil’s ears. If she remains here, what am I to tell him?”

“Let me think,” said Miss Thane.

“Don’t put yourself to that trouble!” said Sir Tristram, with asperity. “Eustacie must go to my mother in Bath.”

“I have it!” said Miss Thane, paying no heed to him. “I knew Eustacie in Paris some years ago. Finding myself in the vicinity of her home, I sent to inform her of my arrival, whereupon the dear creature, misliking the Bath scheme, formed the idea of putting herself under my protection. Unfortunately, you, Sir Tristram, knowing nothing of me, and being possessed of a tyrannical disposition—I beg your pardon?”

“I did not speak,” replied Sir Tristram, eyeing her frostily.

Miss Thane met his look with one of limpid innocence. “Oh, I quite thought you did!”

“I choked,” explained Sir Tristram. “Pray continue! You had reached my tyrannical disposition.”

“Precisely,” nodded Sarah. “You refused to accede to Eustacie’s request, thus leaving her no alternative to instant flight. But now that you have seen me, you realize that I am a respectable female, altogether a proper person to have the charge of a young lady, and you relent.”

The corners of his mouth twitched slightly. “Do I?” he said.

“Certainly. We arrange that Eustacie shall stay with me in London on a visit. All is in train for our departure when my brother, finding his cold to be no better, declares himself to be unable to risk the dangers of travel in this inclement weather. Which reminds me,” she added, rising from her chair, “that I had better go and inform Hugh that his cold is worse.”

A little while later, coming down from Sir Hugh’s bedchamber, she found Sir Tristram waiting in the coffee-room. He looked up as she rounded the bend in the stairs, and said sardonically: “I trust you were able to convince your brother, ma’am?”

“It was unnecessary,” she returned. “Nye has taken him up a bottle of Old Constantia. He thinks it would be foolhardy to brave the journey to London until he is perfectly recovered.”

“I thought he held strong views on the subject of smuggled liquor?” remarked Sir Tristram.

“He does,” replied Miss Thane, not in the least abashed. “Very strong views.” She went to the fire and seated herself on one of the high-backed settles placed on either side of it. A gesture invited Sir Tristram to occupy the other. “I think those two children will make a match of it, do not you?”

“Ludovic cannot ask any woman to be his wife as matters now stand,” he responded, frowning into the fire.

“Then we must certainly establish his innocence,” said Miss Thane.

He glanced up. “Believe me, I should be glad to do anything in my power to help the boy, but this coming into Sussex is madness!”

“Well,” said Miss Thane reasonably, “he cannot be moved until his wound is in some sort healed, so we must make the best of it. Tell me, do you think his cousin Basil is indeed the real culprit?”

He was silent for a moment. At last he said: “I may be prejudiced against him. It sounds fantastic, but I would not for the world have him know of Ludovic’s whereabouts now.” He looked at her searchingly. “What is your part in this, Miss Thane?”

She laughed. “My dear sir, my part is that of Eustacie’s chaperon, of course. To tell you the truth, I have taken a liking to your romantic cousins, and I mean to see this adventure to a close.”

“You are very good, ma’am, but—”

“But you would do very much better without any females,” nodded Miss Thane.

“Yes,” said Sir Tristram bluntly. “I should!”

“I expect you would,” said Miss Thane, quite without rancour. “But if you imagine you can induce Eustacie to leave this place now that she has found her cousin Ludovic, you have a remarkably sanguine nature. And if you are bound to have Eustacie, you may just as well have me as well.”