"Yes, sir," said I, wondering at his eagerness. "She has a peerless, a wonderful voice, but more--she sings with that divine intuition that is genius. I must speak with her--meantime, pray present your friend." "This, sir, is my good and kind friend, Jeremy Jarvis; Jerry, his Lordship, the Earl of Wyvelstoke." The Earl bowed to the Tinker with his usual grave courtesy, and the Tinker (albeit a little disquieted) knuckled sooty eyebrow and bobbed tousled head to the Earl, humbly respectful yet with a simple dignity all his own. "You seem very happily situated here," said his lordship, sweeping the shady dingle with his keen gaze. "Why, as to that, sir--my lord," said Jeremy with unwonted diffidence, "I fear we'm a-trespassing on your land, but my friend Todd--Jessamy assured me--" "Rest assured, friend Jarvis! None of my keepers shall disturb you--" "Peregrine--O Jerry, dinner! Come while it's hot and come quick!" called Diana from those boskages that screened our little camp. "It's liver and bacon," said she, busy at the fire, but beholding our companion, she set down the frying pan and hastened to welcome him with both hands outstretched. "Why, 't is my old pal!" she cried, whereupon Jeremy blinked and seemed to swallow hard. "You're just in time for a bit o' liver an' bacon. Bring another plate, Jerry." "But, Ann," said he, hesitating and much at a loss, "p'raps his lordship won't care t' eat off a tin plate an'--" "Who?" demanded Diana, turning, with the frying pan in her hand. "His lordship! What, don't ye know this gentleman's the Earl o' Wyvelstoke?" Diana set down the frying pan and turned upon his lordship with a frown. "Is this true?" she demanded. "Are you a lord?" "I am, Diana." "An earl?" "I confess it. But always your pal, I trust, notwithstanding--" "Why, then you own Wyvelstoke Park?" "I do." "And--this wood?" "Yes, Diana." "An' horses an' carriages an' houses, I suppose?" "Yes, child." "Why, then, you're rich! And you let me give you a guinea!" "A treasure dearer to me than all the rest!" he answered gently; and taking out the coin he looked down at it, smiling wistfully. "And I thought you were such a poor, lonely old soul--" "So I was, Diana, and so I should be without your friendship." "I s'pose you don't want any liver an' bacon, do you, lord?" "Why not, goddess?" "Because lords an' earls don't eat liver an' bacon off tin plates, do they?" "You behold one who would if you will so far honour him," answered the Earl with one of his stately obeisances. "You might have told me, all the same!" said Diana, pouting a little.