Warburton shook his head disapprovingly.

“There has never been a Whig in the Wyncham family, sir.”

“And you hope there never will be again, eh? What of Dick? Is he faithful to the Pretender?”

“I think Mr. Richard does not interest himself in politics, sir.”

Carstares raised his eyebrows, and there fell a silence.

After a minute or two Mr. Warburton cleared his throat.

“I⁠—I suppose, sir⁠—you have no idea of⁠—er⁠—discontinuing your⁠—er⁠—profession?”

My lord gave an irrepressible little laugh.