“So am not I!” said Elinor. “Why, I dare say there are more than a thousand books on the shelves!”
Nicky, who was beginning to feel tired, sat down on the edge of the bed and said disgustedly, “Oh, lord! There is no end to the places where we should search!”
“Do you not think, sir, that if a warming pan was brought up, as I dare say it might be directly, and the fire kindled in your bedchamber, you would be more comfortable in your bed?” suggested Miss Beccles, in her gentle way.
Nicky naturally scouted this idea, declaring that he should not retire before dinner. But upon being assured that he should not be fobbed off with gruel but should be supplied with a tray loaded with sustaining and palatable viands, he began to think more kindly of his bed and finally consented in a magniloquent spirit to get between sheets again. Carlyon went downstairs to give orders for the securing of the secret door, and Elinor took Miss Beccles off to install her in the bedchamber next to her own. Miss Beccles sighed her pleasure at sight of the fire already burning in the hearth and smiled mistily upon her hostess. “It should not be, my love, but such a comfort to one! I do not know if I stand on my head or my heels! From the moment of his lordship’s coming I have been cast into such a flutter! I declare I could not believe the evidence of my ears when Polly—you remember Polly, my love, a very obliging girl!—when Polly came to tell me my Lord Carlyon wished to see me! And me in my old olive-green merino, for you must know I was engaged in polishing the furniture, and not in the least expecting to receive a visitor, much less so noble a visitor! But I dare say he would not notice, for thank heaven I had my wits about me enough to strip off my apron and thrust it under a cushion. But to see such a fine gentleman in my poor little room—! I declare I was so overcome I had scarcely strength enough to drop him a curtsy! But he is most truly the gentleman! I was rendered easy in a trice!”
“Lord Carlyon’s manners are certainly well-bred, but—”
“Oh, my love, I perceived at a glance that he was used to move in the first circles! And the beeswax lying on the table, and an old rag, and my merino so crushed! I was almost overpowered! And what he could want with me I knew no more than Polly, but, that was soon told. You may imagine my astonishment! I fear he must have supposed me to have less than common sense, for I was obliged to beg him to repeat the whole before I could credit it!”
“I do not wonder at it! You must have been excessively shocked to hear what a dreadful tangle I was got into!”
“I own my first reflections upon the event were of so agitating a nature that I was obliged to sit down plump upon title nearest chair. But all was soon explained! And then to learn that I was to come into Sussex the very next day to be with you! I was left with my head in such a whirl I scarcely knew what I was about or how I should contrive!”
“Poor Becky, you have been shamefully used!” Elinor said warmly. “I would not for the world have had you pack up in such uncomfortable haste! But I might have known how it would be! He is the most abominable creature and thinks everyone’s convenience must give way to his!”
“Oh, no, my love, indeed I do not know how you can talk in such a way! Only fancy his calling to take me up into his own chaise, and sitting beside me all the way just as though I had been a person of the first consequence! Alas, dear Mrs. Cheviot, you must know as well as I how seldom it is that one meets with any extraordinary civility when one is only a governess!”