“It seems to me,” said Gideon, “that I had best find Adolphus, and discover just what mischief he is brewing. I’ll take Liversedge along with me, and Adolphus can decide what is to be done with him. As for you, had you leave to come here?”
“Oh, yes, I told the Bagwig I was wanted on urgent family affairs, and he gave me an exeat. But, you know, Gideon, I do think Nettlebed needs a set-down! It is the outside of enough for him to come searching for me at Oxford, and behaving as though I were a schoolboy, and threatening to go to the Bagwig himself if I would not tell him where he could find Gilly!”
“I wish he might have done so!” said his cousin unsympathetically. “What in thunder do you mean by saddling Adolphus with your damned follies? No thanks to you he is not now being bled white! Get back to Oxford, and if you can’t keep out of silly scrapes, for God’s sake bring ’em to me in future, and don’t encourage Gilly to risk his neck in your service!”
Matthew was so much incensed by this unfeeling speech that he embarked on a long and indignant vindication of himself. Gideon broke in on it without compunction, and told him to spare his breath. Matthew glared at him, and said: “Well, it is just as much my affair as yours, and I shall go with you to Hitchin!”
“You may do that, for it’s on your way, but you’ll go no farther with me!” said Gideon, turning away.
He found that he was being anxiously watched by Nettlebed and Wragby, in whom dislike of Mr. Liversedge had engendered a temporary alliance. Mr. Liversedge was seated at his ease in the curricle, his plump hands folded, and a benign, not to say saintly expression on his countenance. Mr. Liversedge saw in his sudden recollection of Belinda the hand of Providence working powerfully on his behalf, and was able to meet Captain Ware’s hard eyes with an indulgent smile.
“We are now bound for Hitchin, my hopeful friend,” said Gideon. “It appears to me that my noble relative might be glad to have you delivered into his hands!”
“If,” retorted Mr. Liversedge superbly, “your noble relative has the least regard for justice, sir, he will see in me a benefactor!”
“Master Gideon, only let me darken his daylights!” implored Nettlebed tearfully.
This favour having been denied him, he climbed up sulkily into Matthew’s hired tilbury. Gideon took his place on the box of the curricle, and gathered up the reins. Mr. Liversedge said kindly: “May I proffer a piece of advice, sir? I apprehend you are about to make some stir of Hitchin by enquiring for the Duke of Sale. Speaking as one who has his Grace’s true interests at heart, I would counsel you to enquire rather for Mr. Rufford, under which sobriquet I have reason to believe him to be travelling.”