After Leduc had departed a silence fell between them, and endured some moments. His lordship was leaning forward, elbows on knees, his face in shadow. At length he sat back, and looked at his companion across the little intervening space. “I have hesitated to speak to you before, Mr. Caryll, upon the matter that you know of, lest your recovery should not be so far advanced that you might bear the strain and fatigue of conversing upon serious topics. I trust that that cause is now so far removed that I may put aside my scruples.” “Assuredly--I am glad to say--thanks to the great care you have had of me here at Stretton House.” “There is no debt between us on that score,” answered his lordship shortly, brusquely almost. “Well, then--” He checked, and looked about him. “We might be approached without hearing any one,” he said. Mr. Caryll smiled, and shook his head. “I am not wont to neglect such details,” he observed. “The eyes of Argus were not so vigilant as my Leduc's; and he understands that we are private. He will give us warning should any attempt to approach. Be assured of that, and believe, therefore, that we are more snug here than we should be even in your lordship's closet.” “That being so, sir--hem! You are receiving letters daily. Do they concern the business of King James?” “In a measure; or, rather, they are from one concerned in it.” Ostermore's eyes were on the ground again. There fell a pause, Mr. Caryll frowning slightly and full of curiosity as to what might be coming. “How soon, think you,” asked his lordship presently, “you will be in case to travel?” “In a week, I hope,” was the reply. “Good.” The earl nodded thoughtfully. “That may be in time. I pray it may be. 'Tis now the best that we can do. You'll bear a letter for me to the king?” Mr. Caryll passed a hand across his chin, his face very grave. “Your answer to the letter that I brought you?” “My answer. My acceptance of his majesty's proposals.” “Ha!” Mr. Caryll seemed to be breathing hard. “Your letters, sir--the letters that you have been receiving will have told you, perhaps, something of how his majesty's affairs are speeding here?” “Very little; and from that little I fear that they speed none too well. I would counsel your lordship,” he continued slowly--he was thinking as he went--“to wait a while before you burn your boats. From what I gather, matters are in the air just now.” The earl made a gesture, brusque and impatient. “Your information is very scant, then,” said he. Mr. Caryll looked askance at him. “Pho, sir! While you have been abed, I have been up and doing; up and doing. Matters are being pushed forward rapidly. I have seen Atterbury. He knows my mind. There lately came an agent from the king, it seems, to enjoin the bishop to abandon this conspiracy, telling him that the time was not yet ripe. Atterbury scorns to act upon that order. He will work in the king's interests against the king's own commands even.”