If he told him the truth; how he loathed the task; how he rejoiced that circumstances had now put it beyond his reach--all he would achieve would be to wound Sir Richard in his tenderest place and to no purpose.
"It is not a matter of what I would," he answered slowly, wearily almost.

"It is a matter of what I must.

Here in England is no more to be done.

Moreover, there's danger for you in lingering, or I'm much mistaken else." "Danger of what ?" asked Sir Richard, with indifference.
"You are being spied upon." "Pho! I am accustomed to it.

I have been spied upon all my life." "Like enough.