“Really, you have had a very dull ride when one comes to think of it.”
“Yes, until I met my cousin Ludovic, and after that it was not dull, because when he discovered who I was Ludovic said I must go with him, and I helped to lead the Excisemen into the Forest. He mounted behind me on Rufus, you see. That was when I lost the other bandbox.”
“Oh, you had a bandbox?”
“But yes, I had two, for one must be practical, you understand. But one I dropped just before I met Ludovic, and I forgot about that one. We threw the other away.”
Miss Thane bent over the fire again rather hastily. “I expect it was the right thing to do,” she said in an unsteady voice.
“Well, it was in the way,” explained Eustacie. “But I must say it now becomes awkward a little because all my things were in it.”
“Don’t let a miserable circumstance like that worry you!” said Miss Thane. “I will lend you a nightdress, and tomorrow we will decide whether to go and look for the bandboxes (though I feel that would be a spiritless thing to do) or whether to break into your home at dead of night and steal some more clothes for you.”
This suggestion appealed instantly to Eustacie. While she got ready for bed she discussed with Miss Thane the various ways in which it might be possible to break into the Court. Miss Thane entered into every plan with an enthusiasm which made Eustacie say as she blew out the candle: “I am very glad I have met you. I shall tell my cousin Ludovic that he must permit you to share the adventure.”
The excitements of the night had quite worn her out, and it was not long before she fell asleep, curled up beside Miss Thane in, the big fourposter.
Sarah Thane lay awake for some little time. It seemed to her that, she had undertaken a responsibility that would keep her well occupied during the immediate future. What would be the outcome of it all she had not the smallest idea; but she was fully determined, being entered into the adventure, to remain in it to the finish.