After contemplating his appearance for several moments, Carstares frowned and looked over his shoulder.
"I have changed my mind, Jim. I will wear blue after all." Salter sighed despairingly.
"Ye look very well in what ye have on, sir," he grunted. Jack sat down obstinately.
"I have conceived a dislike--nay, a veritable hatred--for puce. I will wear blue."
"Now, sir, do ha' done changing your clothes! Ye'll be tired out before ever ye get downstairs, and ye know what the doctor said."
My lord consigned the doctor and his words of wisdom to a place of great heat.
"The doctor is a worthy individual, Jim, but he knows even less of the art of dressing than you do. He does not understand the soul-agony of a man who makes his first appearance in puce."
"I order it! I insist; the blue coat or nought!"
"Very well, sir." Resignedly Jim walked to the cupboard.
When at length his lordship was dressed to his entire satisfaction it was midway through the hot June afternoon, and Miss Betty was tapping at the door, wishing to know whether Mr. Carr was coming down, or whether he was not.
Carstares shifted his sling, and taking up his hat, moved just a little shakily to the door.
Salter opened it, and cast a triumphant glance at Miss Betty, as though he were showing off all my lord's graces. He proffered an arm.
"Give ye good den, madam," he said. "I am just about to descend. Thank you, Jim." He leaned heavily on the man's arm.
"Lud! 'Tis mighty elegant, I vow! But I protest, I am shy!"
"You are not so young as I imagined," she replied candidly.
"Bear in mind, madam, that I never sought to deceive you. I am an aged man."
"Thirty!" she scoffed, and went on ahead. "Come, child, and mind the first step!"
At the bottom of the staircase stood Mr. Beauleigh, a man of medium height, thin-lipped and grey-eyed. He came forward with one hand outstretched.
"I am delighted to see you so much better, sir. I trust your shoulder no longer pains you?"
My lord pushed Jim gently to one side and placed his hand in Mr. Beauleigh's.
"I thank you, sir, it is almost well. But for Miss Betty, who, I fear, has the makings of a true tyrant, I should not wear this obnoxious sling."
"Ah, yes, she keeps us all in order, does Betty. Pray, will you not walk a little in the garden? There are chairs on the lawn--and here is my daughter."