“This young woman, sir,” said Mrs. Appleby grimly, “appears to have business with you, for all she cannot give you a name! And I will take leave to tell you, sir, that mine has always been a respectable house, and such goings-on I will not have!”
“Oh, hush, Mrs. Appleby!” begged the Duke. “I am acquainted with this lady!”
“Of that I make no doubt, sir!” retorted Mrs. Appleby.
The Duke sought wildly in his mind for an explanation likely to satisfy the landlady, and could hit upon only one. “She is Tom’s sister!” he said, devoutly hoping that Belinda would not deny it. “She has come in search of him, of course!”
Belinda, who seemed to have a mind very responsive to suggestion, nodded her head at this, and smiled at Mrs. Appleby.
“ Indeed! ” pronounced that lady. “Then perhaps you will have the goodness to tell me what your business is, miss?”
“To find Tom,” replied Belinda happily.
“I never heard such a tale, not in all my lifeI didn’t!” exclaimed Mrs. Appleby, outraged. “Why, you’re no more like him than I am! Sir, I’ll have you know—”
“And I have brought all my things with me, because I dare not go back, so if you please, sir, will you take care of me?” added Belinda, turning her melting gaze upon the Duke.
“Not in my house he will not!” declared Mrs. Appleby, without hesitation.