“I should hope,” said Sir Richard, “that you are not quite used to travelling in the common stage either.”
“No, of course I am not. It will be quite an adventure! Have you ever travelled by stage-coach?”
“Never. We shall travel post”
“Travel post? You must be mad!” exclaimed Miss Creed. “I dare say you are known at every posting-inn on the Bath road. We should be discovered in a trice. Why, I had thought of all that even before you made up your mind to join me! My cousin Frederick is too stupid to think of anything, but my Aunt Almeria is not, and I make no doubt she will guess that I have run away to my own home, and follow me. This is one of the reasons why I made up my mind to journey in the stage. She will enquire for me at the posting-houses, and no one will be able to give her the least news of me. And just think what a bustle there would be if it were discovered that we had been travelling about the country together in a post-chaise!”
“Does it seem to you that there would be less impropriety in our travelling in the stage?” enquired Sir Richard.
“Yes, much less. In fact, I do not see that it is improper at all, for how can I prevent your booking a seat in a public vehicle, if you wish to do so? Besides, I have not enough money to hire a post-chaise.”
“I thought you said you were cursed with a large fortune?”
“Yes, but they won’t let me have anything but the most paltry allowance until I come of age, and I’ve spent most of this month’s pin-money.”
“I will be your banker,” said Sir Richard.
Miss Creed shook her head vigorously. “No, indeed you will not! One should never be beholden to strangers. I shall pay everything for myself. Of course, if you are set against travelling by the stage, I do not see what is to be done. Unless—” she broke off as an idea occurred to her, and said, with sparkling eyes: “I have a famous notion! You are a notable whip, are you not?”