There was quite a pretty colour in Harriet’s cheeks; she gave a gurgle of laughter, and said: “Is she, Gilly? But who is she, pray?”
“She is a foundling,” he replied. “Oh, I shall have to tell you the whole story! You will think I have run mad!”
But although Harriet was considerably astonished by the tale unfolded to her, she did not think he had run mad. She listened to him in breathless silence, her colour fluctuating as she heard of the dangers which had threatened him. But as the tale proceeded she began to perceive that his adventures had subtly altered him. She had never seen him look so well, or know him to be so gay; and there clung about him an air of assurance he had previously lacked: He chose to turn it all to a jest, and to laugh at himself for falling into such pitfalls, but it was plain to Harriet that this diffident young man to whom she was betrothed had a quite unexpected strength of character, and was very well able to take care of himself. She glowed, and although she could not help laughing at the absurdity of his position, she admired him too, and would have accepted a dozen foundlings at his hands without uttering a word of reproach.
“Oh, Gilly, what a scrape to be in!” she said, when he came to the end of his story. “It is the most ridiculous thing I ever heard! What will Lord Lionel say, if he finds out?”
“He will clap me into Bedlam, I daresay. To tell you the truth, I care very little for what he may say if only I can be rid of Belinda! I must find this Mudgley-fellow! And of course that nonsensical girl has not the least notion where he lives! But the thing is, Harriet, I can’t continue at the Pelican with her, and I dare not be seen abroad with her—in this of all towns!—for fear of meeting someone I know!”
“No, indeed! Only think of my feelings!” she agreed, twinkling shyly at him.
“Yes, and then there is this milliner to whom she was apprenticed! Harry, I am quite ignorant about apprentices! Do you know what happens to them if they break their indentures?”
“No, but I am sure it is something dreadful. I believe they are quite bound for a number of years, almost like slaves!”
“Good God! what must I do to get her honourably released, I wonder?”
“Well, do you know, Gilly, I think perhaps I could do that,” she confided, blushing a little.