"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.
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