If Buckingham was ever unbending, it was to Sir
Julian.
As they met, Buckingham bent lower than his wont to hide a guilt that
was not perceptible to any one else but Julian, and the latter was not
slow to note it. The Duchess, not knowing who had carried off either
Constance or Mistress Penwick, was very free in her conversation and
spoke at once of Lord Cedric's injury and of the naughty beauty that
had driven him to it. Buckingham's countenance was changed by the
assumed expression of either surprise or regret, as was necessary and
suited.
Upon his arrival he was not allowed to see either the Duke or Cedric,
and as his business called for a speedy return to London, he must
leave early after supper, adding that he regretted the importunity
of the hour, as it detained the king's business with his Grace of
Ellswold.
This of course changed the physicians' minds, and Buckingham was
allowed to have converse with the Duke and finished that he came to do
at the castle.
But Sir Julian had somewhat to say, and ordered his horse to accompany
the Duke on his return journey.
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