“No, could you indeed?” he said eagerly. “I am afraid she is a very disagreeable woman. Belinda finds nearly every woman so, I own, but from what she has said to me about Mrs. Puling I do think she is an unkind, tyrannical female. Belinda is frightened to death of her! Would she be satisfied if I offered to pay whatever is owing to her?”
“I daresay she might be, but I don’t think you should appear in the matter at all,” said Harriet firmly. “I have been considering, and I believe it may be something I can do for you quite easily. You know, Gilly, everyone knows that we are to be married in the spring, and all the dressmakers and the milliners want to make my gowns and trim my hats. Because it—it is a great thing to be marrying a Duke, and they think it will be the most fashionable wedding of the season. I cannot but feel that if I were to go to Mrs. Pilling’s establishment, and tell her that I wish her to make me several hats to go with my bride-clothes she would be very willing to forgive Belinda.”
He was much moved. “Harriet, you are the best-natured girl in the world! But from her direction I cannot think that she is at all a modish milliner! You will not like to buy hats from her.”
“I shall not mind, dear Gilly,” replied Harriet simply.
He kissed her hand. “But your mama! What would she have to say?”
“I—I shall not mind that either, if it is for you,” said Harriet. “And I think I shall drive there in Grandmama’s barouche, and take my footman as well as my maid. I expect Mrs. Pilling would like that. And then, you know, she will let it be widely known that she is to make several hats for me, and it will bring her a great deal of much more fashionable custom than perhaps she has ever had.”
He was not very conversant with feminine foibles, but he was dimly aware that his betrothed was making a considerable sacrifice for him. He thanked her warmly, adding after a moment’s thought: “And if you do not like them you may throw them away after all!”
She laughed at that. “Oh, no, how extravagant! I think Mama would certainly have something to say at such shocking waste of money!”
“Would she?” he said, dashed. A happy thought occurred to him. “It doesn’t signify! You may throw them away as soon as we are married, and buy some new ones. Should you like to go to Paris? They have very good bonnets there. If only we can contrive to go without my uncle’s foisting Belper on to us!”
She said earnestly: “Gilly, no one can foist anyone on to you any more!”