SIR JOHN DERING _BY THE SAME AUTHOR_ The Broad Highway The Amateur Gentleman The Money Moon The Hon. Mr. Tawnish The Chronicles of the Imp Beltane the Smith The Definite Object The Geste of Duke Jocelyn Our Admirable Betty Black Bartlemy’s Treasure Martin Conisby’s Vengeance Peregrine’s Progress _Sampson Low, Marston & Co., Ltd._ SIR JOHN DERING A ROMANTIC COMEDY BY JEFFERY FARNOL AUTHOR OF “THE BROAD HIGHWAY” ETC. [Illustration] LONDON SAMPSON LOW, MARSTON & CO. LTD. PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN BY PURNELL AND SONS PAULTON, SOMERSET, ENGLAND TO MY FRIEND OF YEARS AND RIGHT TRUSTY COMRADE HERBERT LONDON POPE I DEDICATE THIS BOOK AS A SMALL TRIBUTE TO HIS PATIENCE, FAITHFULNESS, AND UNFALTERING LOYALTY: WITH THE EARNEST HOPE THAT TIME MAY BUT KNIT US EVER MORE CLOSE JEFFERY FARNOL SUSSEX CONTENTS PAGE PROLOGUE 1 CHAP. I. WHICH INTRODUCES THE DOG WITH A BAD NAME 6 II. WHICH DESCRIBES A FORTUITOUS BUT FATEFUL MEETING 20 III. TELLETH OF MRS. ROSE, THE GUILEFUL INNOCENT 29 IV. SHEWETH THE WICKED DERING IN A NEW RÔLE 34 V. THE ALLURE OF SIMPLICITY: MOONLIGHT AND AN ELOPEMENT 39 VI. OF SOULS, SOLITUDE AND A DUSTY ROAD 46 VII. WHICH INTRODUCES MY LORD SAYLE AND THE CLASH OF STEEL 54 VIII. OF A POST-CHAISE, INIQUITY AND A GRANDMOTHER 65 IX. DESCRIBES THE ADVENTURES OF THE _TRUE BELIEVER_ 71 X. FURTHER CONCERNING THE SAME 79 XI. OF AN ALTRUISTIC SCOT 85 XII. DESCRIBETH THE DUPLICITY OF INNOCENCE 94 XIII. CONCERNING THE ADVENT OF JOHN DERWENT 99 XIV. HOW THE MAN OF SENTIMENT SENTIMENTALISED IN A DITCH 109 XV. WHICH INTRODUCES A FRIEZE COAT AND ITS WEARER, ONE GEORGE POTTER 119 XVI. DESCRIBES A SCANDALOUS ITEM OF FASHIONABLE INTELLIGENCE AND THE CONSEQUENCES THEREOF 129 XVII. HOW SIR JOHN DERING CAME BACK TO MAYFAIR 140