Tom witnessed all these brave sights, and had his head well-nigh turned by all the rejoicings in which the city took part.  Even Master Cale scarcely chid him for the way in which his guineas were flying; although he warned Tom that they would not last long at such a pace.  But Tom laughed now, and said he had the prospect of earning more when these were gone; and Lord Claud laughed lightly when the subject came up, and told Tom that the pleasantest way with money was to spend it freely whilst it lasted, and then turn to and get more.  There were a hundred ways of doing this, he assured him; and Torn half believed him, and found it mighty pleasant to throw about his gold as the young bloods of fashion did, and have a pretty costly trinket to offer to Rosamund whenever they chanced to meet.

Master Cale would rather the child had not had these gay gewgaws forced upon her; but he could not chide overmuch when he saw the brightness of her eyes and the eagerness upon her face.  Besides, Tom had already spoken of his speedy departure for foreign lands; and although Rosamund pouted, and professed that it was very unkind of him to go just when they had grown to be friends, her father saw no indications of deeper feeling.  And, indeed, the maid had as yet no real love for any but her father.  Tom had taken her fancy, as being the finest and handsomest youth she had ever come across, but she regarded him as a being quite out of her sphere; and though her heart fluttered a little at first sight of him, she could look forward to the thought of his absence with great equanimity.

“You will come back and tell us all your adventures,” she said, as though that would make up for much; and Tom faithfully promised, although he fancied there might be many reservations in the tale he would tell.

One day before the month of January had fled Tom received a summons to Lord Claud’s lodging.  There he found everything in confusion, servants hurrying hither and thither, and the valet packing up some sober clothing in a small valise that could be strapped across a saddle.

When Tom came face to face with Lord Claud he saw a new expression in the eyes of his patron.  All the languor and indifference had fled.  His whole aspect was of a man bound upon some stern errand.

“Tom,” he said briefly, “the time has come.  Go home and don your stoutest riding dress.  Take a second with you in saddlebag or valise; and hide such money as you have left somewhere upon your person.  Then come back hither, and we will dine together.  We are to start upon our journey this very day; and our first stage is Holywell House, near St. Albans.”

CHAPTER IX.  FARE WELL TO HOME.

“My lord,” said Tom, “I am but a country squire’s son.  I am no fit guest for the house of a duke.  I pray you let me turn aside, and go visit mine own home, and say farewell to mine own people.  If, as you say, we shall speedily be sent forth upon some errand of peril, I would fain kiss my mother once again before parting.  I have not been to her as good a son as I should wish.  Let me ask her pardon, and show her that I have not forgotten her, ere we fare forth on our mission.”