“I was. I brought Molly home yesterday, the darlint, and I heard that ye were leaving here this afternoon.”

“Ah?”

“And as I’m not going to let ye slip through me fingers again, I thought I would come and make sure of ye. Ye are a deal too slippery, Jack.”

“Yet I was coming to see you again whatever happened.”

“Of course. Ye are coming now⁠—to stay.”

“Oh no!”

O’Hara placed his hat and whip on the table, and stretched his legs with a sigh.

“Sure, ’tis stiff I am! Jim, I’ve a chaise outside for the baggage, so ye may take it down as soon as may be.”

“Leave it where it is, Jim. Miles, ’tis monstrous good of you, but⁠—”