I pray you spare me for this last farewell." Lord Claud's face softened, as though he felt sympathy for Tom's eager desire.

He spoke kindly and thoughtfully.
"In sooth, I see no objection," he replied.

"It is to me that the Duke must impart his wishes, as you know nought of foreign lands or tongues.

A stout and trusty comrade I need to take with me; but it is not necessary, so far as I see, for us both to wait upon the Duke.

Belike, too, he may be busy, and it may be I shall have to wait his leisure; or he may himself have to wait for despatches from abroad ere he can give me mine.