CHAPTER XIX
'Ox—ford! Ox—ford!' Her goal is reached; and as she has no luggage, and is therefore independent of the scanty-numbered and not particularly civil porters, in two minutes after the stopping of the train she is in a hansom, spinning up to Christ Church. At Tom Gate she gets out, and rather timidly entering the archway, bends her steps to the porter's lodge. He comes out politely to meet her.
'Can you tell me where Mr. Ducane's rooms are?'
'Certainly, ma'am. Peckwater Quad, third door on the left hand, second staircase.'
As she is moving off hurriedly in the direction indicated her informant adds:
'I am afraid that you will not find him in, ma'am.'
'Not in?' repeats she, in a tone of the most acute astonishment. 'Is not he ill, then?'
'Not that I am aware of, ma'am; he went out about half an hour ago with a lady.'
At the mention of the lady a sudden vermilion flies up into Peggy's face.
'Did you happen to notice,' she asks precipitately—'can you tell me which way they—they went?'