“If you had taken a loader with you, as was befitting, your Grace would not have needed any such,” said Nettlebed severely. “I could see his lordship was not best pleased.”

“I am sure he was not displeased for any such cause,” responded the Duke, walking towards the washstand, and lifting the towel from the ewer. “He is a great advocate for a man’s being able to do everything for himself that may come in his way.”

“That,” said Nettlebed, frustrating the Duke’s attempt to pick up the ewer, “is as may be, your Grace.” He poured the water into the basin, and removed the towel from the Duke’s hand. “But when his lordship takes a gun out, he has always his loader, and very likely a couple of beaters besides, for he is one as knows what is due to his position.”

“Well, if I do not know what isdue to mine I am sure it is not for want of being told,” sighed the Duke. “I think it would have been very pleasant to have been born one of my own tenants, sometimes.”

“Born one of your Grace’s own tenants!” ejaculated Nettlebed, in an astonished tone.

The Duke took the towel, and began to wipe his wet face with it. “Not one of those who are obliged to live in Thatch End Cottages, of course,” he said reflectively.

“Thatch End Cottages!”

“At Rufford.”

“I do not know what your Grace can be meaning!”

“They are for ever complaining of them. I daresay they should all be pulled down. In fact, I am sure of it, for I have seen them.”

“Seen them, your Grace?” said Nettlebed, quite shocked. “I am sure I do not know when you can have done so!”

“When we were in Yorkshire, I rode over,” replied the Duke tranquilly.

“Now that,” said Nettlebed, in a displeased way, “is just what your Grace should not be doing! It is Mr. Scriven who should attend to such matters, as I am sure he is willing and able to do, let alone he has his clerks to be running about the country for him!”