'True,' said lord Charles; 'it was a very scurvy inn, but we must not forget that the reckoning was cheap.'
While he spoke, one of the household had approached the marquis, who sat on the other side of the carriage, and said something in a low voice.
'Say'st thou so!' returned his lordship. '—Hear'st thou, my lord Charles? Thou talkest of a cheap reckoning! I never paid so dear for a lodging in my life. Here is master Wharton hath just told me that they have left a thousand pound under a bench in the chamber we broke our fast in. Truly they are overpaid for what we had!'
'We have sent back after it, my lord,' said Mr. Wharton.
'You will never see the money again,' said lord Charles.
'Oh, peace!' said the marquis. 'If they will not be known of the money, you shall see it in a brave inn in a short time.'
Nothing more was said on the matter, and the marquis seemed to have forgotten it. Late at night, at their next halting-place, the messenger rejoined them, having met a drawer, mounted on a sorry horse, riding after them with the bag, but little prospect of overtaking them before they reached London.
'I thought our hostess seemed an honest woman!' said lady Anne.
'It is a poor town, indeed, lord Charles, but you see it is an honest one nevertheless!' said Dr. Bayly.
'It may be the town never saw so much money before,' said the marquis, 'and knew not what to make of it.'