But Talbot was regarding the traveller with hard eyes. "You called him a thrush, Nick, but I have a notion he is more of a knavish jackdaw. I have seen this gentleman before. You were with Ormonde?"
"I had once the honour to serve his Grace," said Lovel, still feverishly trying to devise a watertight tale.
"Ah, I remember now. You thought his star descending and carried your wares to the other side.And who is your new employer, Mr. Lovel? His present Majesty?"