Belinda laughed merrily at this. “Why, of course I know her name! It is Maggie Street!”
“Then depend upon it we shall soon find her!” he said, much relieved.
At this moment, Mrs. Appleby entered the parlour, and announced that as Miss’s bedchamber was now ready for her she would escort Miss to it.
“Yes, please do so!” said the Duke. “And perhaps you would be so good as to bring up a glass of milk to her, for I fear she is rather hungry.”
“Very good, sir,” replied Mrs. Appleby stiffly. “Come with me, miss, if you please!”
She picked up the bandboxes, and swept them and Belinda inexorably out of the room, leaving the Duke feeling extremely exhausted, but not a little thankful that he was not to be saddled with Belinda for the rest of his life, as at one moment he had feared that he might be.
Chapter XII
The following morning, the Duke thought it wisest to visit Tom before that young gentleman had emerged from his room, to warn him that he had acquired a sister overnight. Tom was inclined to take this in bad part, giving it as his opinion that girls spoiled everything. When he learned that Belinda’s presence had made it necessary for the Duke to change his plans, his face fell perceptibly, and it was only an assurance that he should eventually be taken to London that enabled him to meet his new sister without overt hostility. He evinced little curiosity, which was a relief to the Duke, and, not having reached an impressionable stage in his career, was quite unmoved by the loveliness that presently burst upon him. He ate his breakfast in unusual silence, occasionally shooting a darkling look at Belinda, and lost no time in effacing himself when he had finished. The Duke sent him off to discover where he could hire a post-chaise-and-pair to carry the whole party to Hitchin that morning, for not only was he extremely anxious to hand Belinda over to her friend as soon as possible, but Belinda herself was troubled by fears that Mr. Liversedge might pursue and recapture her. It was in vain that the Duke explained to her that since Mr. Liversedge was neither her uncle nor her guardian he had no hold over her, and would scarcely dare to coerce her: she appeared to listen to his words, but it was apparent that they conveyed little to her intelligence.
“Tell me,” he said, “when you were in Oxford with Mrs.—Mrs.—I don’t recall the name, but the lady who was thought to be your aunt—”
“Oh, she was not my aunt!” Belinda said. “I did not like having to live with her at all, for she was so bothersome, and very often cross with me.”