“But—but ... go, is it?” stammered the Corporal, clenching his fists. “Aye, Bob. Don’t you see we are driven forth of Sir John Dering’s inn on Sir John Dering’s land by men wearing Sir John Dering’s livery and acting under instructions of Sir John Dering’s steward! It is all quite delightfully grotesque! So get our things, Bob, nor seek to ruin so exquisite a situation by violence; let us rather steal humbly away. We will try Alfriston, Bob.” “Aye, sir!” sighed the Corporal. “But, sir, such meekness, such—horrible meekness, your honour——” “What of it, Bob?” “’Tis so imprece-dented sir, as to be almost beyond natur’, your honour.” Laughing, Sir John remounted and, laughing still, rode off to seek him a new lodging. CHAPTER XXII MY LADY HERMINIA BARRASDAILE WEAVES WEBS FOR AN UNWARY HE “Aunt,” cried my lady, tossing Mr. Steele’s _Tatler_ to the other end of the cushioned settee and yawning prodigiously, “Aunt Lucinda, ’tis high time I had you married again!” “What, wench, what?” exclaimed the diminutive Duchess, opening drowsy eyes. “Married, d’ye say?” “So soon as possible, dear aunt. I intend to wed you to a——” “Heavens, Herminia, how harrowing—how hateful——” “Goodness gracious preserve us, aunt, how can ye?” “Gemini! What now, child?” “Smother one with alliterations.” “Tush, miss,” exclaimed the Duchess, “and you talk such pure folly so excessively extreme! Marriage, indeed! At my age!” “Aye, indeed, aunt! ’Tis high time I had thee safe wedded, for, though so small, thou’rt a monstrous responsibility, my dear soul. So I ha’ found thee a spouse——” “La, miss, hush and fie! I protest you make me blush.” “A monster, aunt!” “Horrors, child!” “Who could lift thee in one vast fist, thou dainty atomy ... aye, and big me in t’other, for that matter! A giant, aunt!” “Herminia, you rave! What do I want with your monstrous giants?” “But he is a kindly monster, aunt, a most gentle giant. And he is, besides, a baronet, a soldier, a gentleman o’ birth and breeding, not ill-looking, nor old ... not very; brave as a lion, vigorous with health, strong as Samson.... Doth not all this make thee to be a little in love with him?” “Peace, child—cease, miss! You talk like a mad thing.” “So thou shalt come and look him over for thyself, dearest aunt.” “I won’t!” “You will!” “But I don’t desire to view any monsters, gentle or no.” “Aye, but then—I do, aunt! And so the matter is finally settled!” said my lady, with determined nod. “Goodness aid!” ejaculated the Duchess. “What’s settled, Herminia?” “We start as soon as possible.” “Where for?” “Sussex.” “I’ll not go!” “O aunt, thou dearest of small creatures ... thou wilt not, thou canst not desert thy doating, solitary niece. For, indeed, go I must.” “Why, Herminia, child? Why, a heaven’s name?” “To—to fulfil my destiny, aunt.” “Herminia, be sane! Tell me what you mean by ‘your destiny.’”