“Ye rogue! I married Molly three years ago. ’Tis a real darling she is, isn’t she? And upstairs there’s a little chap⁠—your godson.”

“You lucky fellow! My godson, you say? Could you not find anyone more worthy for that? I want to see him.”

“So ye shall presently. Have ye seen Richard?”

“A year ago I held up his coach. ’Twas dark, and I could scarce see him, but I thought he seemed aged.”

“Aged! Ye wouldn’t be afther knowing him! ’Tis an old man he is. Though I swear ’tis no wonder with that hussy about the house! Lord, Jack, you were well out of that affair with her ladyship!”

Carstares nursed his foot reflectively.

“Lavinia? What ails her?”

“Nought that I know of, save it be her shrewish temper. ’Tis a dog’s life she leads poor Dick.”