. Simpkin,' until I can offer it a more
effective covering in a suit of bottle-green livery."

"I trust your ladyship will not require any reference as to
character?"

"It is written on your face, sir. There! I will countersign it for
you," whereat she put her two hands on my cheeks and kissed me.

"'Pon my soul, Cousin Jane, I don't wonder the men raved over you!"
I said, in admiration.

"No, poor things, it doesn't take much to set them off at the best
of times. But do not begin your flatteries, Hughie; even age is no
warrant for common-sense when it meets with old gratifications. Be
off, now, and get back here for supper, ready for your travels."

I hurried off to my old lodgings, and soon made such preparation
for my journey as was necessary.

When I parted from Mistress Routh I said: "I have learned during
the time spent under your roof how irrevocable your resolve is,
and have accepted it as absolutely as yourself, but now that I am
going away from England, which I shall probably never set foot in
again, and it is still more probable that we may never meet, I have
one promise to exact which you cannot refuse. It is presumable my
way in life will be in some degree successful, and that my son may
some day need such aid as I may be able to give him; he is yours
while you live, but promise me when your time comes you will tell
him who his father is. Because you have chosen a different way of
life from mine, do not be tempted to allow the boy to go to strangers
when you know he has a heart waiting to love and cherish him. I
have never done a dishonourable action in my life, so far as I can
judge, and, if only for his sake, I will always try and keep my
conscience free to make the same affirmation. A message to Mr.
Drummond, the banker, in Charing Cross, will always find me. Can
you refuse?"

"No; it is only justice. Your claim comes after mine. I promise I
will not die without telling the boy who you are."

For herself she resolutely refused to take a shilling more than
was due for my lodging, but I succeeded in forcing her acceptance
of a matter of twenty pounds, the last of my own money, not Lady
Jane's, to be used for the boy. She stood beside me silent and
unmoved while I kissed him in his sleep, and when I parted from
her she said, "Good-bye, Captain Geraldine," with a composure I
fain would have assumed myself, but it was impossible.

The supper at Lady Jane's was gay enough, even the Vicomte
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