It was not long after this that they reached Baldock, and drove into the yard of the White Horse. Tom, although much revived in spirit, was physically a good deal shaken still, and was glad of the support of the Duke’s arm into the inn. The waiter, whom they encountered in the lobby at the back of the house, stared at them in gloomy surprise, but the Duke paid no attention to his, merely saying: “Desire Mrs. Appleby to step up to my room, please,” and leading Tom to the staircase.
When Mrs. Appleby came sailing into the Pink Parlour a few minutes later, she was not only very curious, but more than half inclined to take exception to Tom’s arrival. The waiter had described his appearance in unflattering terms, and although she had been prompt to snub him, she had been equally prompt to come up and inspect Tom for herself.
She found him sitting in the armchair by the fire, while the Duke bathed his bruised head and face. He certainly looked a disreputable object, and Mrs. Appleby exclaimed in a displeased voice: “Well! And may I ask, sir, what is this?”
The Duke was quite unused to being spoken to in that tone, and he turned his head to look at her in some surprise. Without knowing why she did so, she dropped a slight curtsy, and said very much more mildly: “I understood as you wanted to speak to me, sir.”
“Yes,” the Duke replied. “I want a bedchamber to he prepared for my young friend, if you please. He has had the misfortune to be robbed by a couple of footpads. Sit still, Tom, and hold that wet pad to your eye: Mrs. Appleby will bring you some raw beef to put upon it directly.”
“I didn’t know you was going to bring any young gentleman back with you, sir, I’m sure.”
“No, indeed, how should you?” said the Duke. “I did not know it myself. Have you some objection?”
“Of course, sir, if he is a friend of yours—! Only it seems a queer thing, with you not mentioning it, and him with no baggage, and all!”
“It is a sad fix for him to be in,” agreed the Duke. He smiled at her. “We must do what we can to make him more comfortable.”
“Yes, sir,” said Mrs. Applesby helplessly. Tm sure I would not wish to be unfeeling, but I never heard of a young gentleman trapesing about the country, and no carriage, nor nothing, and seemingly quite by himself!”