“No, it is not lilac, but green, and of the finest cambric!”
He sighed. “Thought she wouldn’t part with the lilac one,” he said mournfully. He passed under rapid mental review such articles as he supposed must be necessary to a female setting forth on a long journey, and suddenly said: “Hairbrush and comb. Toothbrush.”
Miss Broughty turned a stricken gaze upon him. “Oh, dear! I don’t think—Whatever shall I do?”
“Stop and purchase ’em,” replied Freddy, with decision. “Good thing you told me m’sister packed the bag. Where do you commonly buy such things?”
“I don’t know,” faltered Olivia. “I have not had occasion to buy them since I came to town. Oh, I am sure they can be had at Newton’s, in Leicester Square, only I—I have only a shilling or two in my purse, and I dare not go into Newton’s in case Mama might be there!”
“Get ’em for you,” said Freddy, putting his head out of the window to shout the new direction to the coachman.
“Oh, Mr. Standen, you are so very—! No, no, you must not!”
“Yes, I must,” said Freddy. “Can’t go off to France without a toothbrush. Wedding-present!”
Olivia saw nothing incongruous in this, but thanked him earnestly. While he braved the dangers of Newton’s Emporium, she remained cowering in her corner of the coach, dreading every instant that her mother’s face would appear at the window. But no such terrible sight assailed her eyes; and in a short space of time Mr. Standen rejoined her, placing on her lap a neat parcel; and the hack rumbled on towards Charing Cross.
Here, in the yard of the Golden Cross, pacing up and down, his watch in his hand, and on his face an expression of anxiety, they found the Chevalier. When he saw Olivia peeping from the window of the coach, he thrust his watch back into his pocket, and sprang forward to wrench open the door, exclaiming: “ Mon ange, ma bien-aimée! ”