Should he correct himself, or rely on the slip passing unobserved?
The peculiar expression on the steward's face returned to him; and he wondered if the knowledge of his adopting an incognito had been elicited from the garrulous servant, and the Englishman about to take advantage of it?
Reddening with anger as much against himself as against the cynical old aristocrat, who was cornering him cavalierly, he decided to brave exposure: "Ridge! H.B.Ridge is my name, Lord Huntingford!" There was a reckless disregard of possibilities in the eyes that fastened themselves on the face of the nobleman for a clue, some enlightenment as to the impression produced; but all in vain.

The shrewd, small eyes answered the scrutiny impassively, and without as much as the flicker of an eyelid.

Taking one of the little ivory pegs, he stuck it in the starting hole at the end of the cribbage-board.
Unconsciously, while waiting for the mental move which would determine his future address, Hugh following the other's lead, picked up one and pegged.

Then to his infinite relief Lord Huntingford apparently allowed the correction, accepted the alias.
"Ridge!" he pronounced with malicious uncertainty.

"Ridge! I am acquainted with the English Ridges;" and the sneer in the voice increased.