“If you please, Sir Charles,” said the man, “is not Willoughby in Cheshire?”
“No,” cried his master; “it is in Shropshire. What! eh! Five guineas for you if that lady comes from Willoughby in Shropshire.
“That is where she comes from then, Sir Charles, and she is going to Bloomsbury Square.”
“How long have they been married?”
“Not more than twelve months, Sir Charles.”
Pomander gave the man ten guineas instead of five on the spot.
Reader, it was too true! Mr. Vane—the good, the decent, the churchgoer—Mr. Vane, whom Mrs. Woffington had selected to improve her morals—Mr. Vane was a married man!
CHAPTER IX.
As soon as Pomander had drawn his breath and realized this discovery, he darted upstairs, and with all the demure calmness he could assume, told Mr. Vane, whom he met descending, that he was happy to find his engagements permitted him to join the party in Bloomsbury Square. He then flung himself upon his servant's horse.