said she, in some surprise.

"Let them construe that who can," answered Whitaker; "the fellow who
drove them was a west-country man, and only said they came from a
friend to help to furnish out your ladyship's entertainment; the man
would not stay to drink--I am sorry he would not stay to drink--I
crave your ladyship's pardon for not keeping him by the ears to drink
--it was not my fault."

"That I'll be sworn it was not," said the lady.

"Nay, madam, by G--, I assure you it was not," said the zealous
steward; "for, rather than the Castle should lose credit, I drank his
health myself in double ale, though I had had my morning draught
already. I tell you the naked truth, my lady, by G--!"

"It was no great compulsion, I suppose," said the lady; "but,
Whitaker, suppose you should show your joy on such occasions, by
drinking and swearing a little less, rather than a little more, would
it not be as well, think you?"

"I crave your ladyship's pardon," said Whitaker, with much reverence;
"I hope I know my place. I am your ladyship's poor servant; and I know
it does not become me to drink and swear like your ladyship--that is,
like his honour, Sir Geoffrey, I would say. But I pray you, if I am
not to drink and swear after my degree, how are men to know Peveril of
the Peak's steward,--and I may say butler too, since I have had the
keys of the cellar ever since old Spigots was shot dead on the
northwest turret, with a black jack in his hand,--I say, how is an old
Cavalier like me to be known from those cuckoldly Roundheads that do