“You are sent with this to Major Pierpoint’s, are you?” she asked sharply and with a suspicious look at the young and guileless girl.
“Yes m’m,” answered Mary quietly.
Miss Clayton let her eyes rest on the superscription for a few moments, and then lifted them steadily to the face of the maiden.
“You had best return directly to your shop with the amount of your mistress’ bill, lest you lose it on the way. I will dispatch my footman with this package to his lodgings.”
“I thank you, but I am ordered to take it there myself,” said Mary firmly.
“Indeed; but it would not be prudent for so young a person as you to go to a bachelor’s rooms alone. I will send it for you. Do you know Major Pierpoint?”
“No, m’m,” answered Mary with embarrassment.
“Have you never seen him?”
“He was in the shop last evening,” answered Mary evasively.
“Did he speak to you?”