Now, it must be told that the lady’s-maid of Mrs. Andrew Cogglesby, borrowed temporarily by the Countess de Saldar for service at Beckley Court, had slept in charge of the Countess’s boxes at the Green Dragon:  the Countess having told her, with the candour of high-born dames to their attendants, that it would save expense; and that, besides, Admiral Combleman, whom she was going to see, or Sir Perkins Ripley (her father’s old friend), whom she should visit if Admiral Combleman was not at his mansion-both were likely to have full houses, and she could not take them by storm.  An arrangement which left her upwards of twelve hours’ liberty, seemed highly proper to Maria Conning, this lady’s-maid, a very demure young person.  She was at her bed-room window, as Evan passed up the courtyard of the inn, and recognized him immediately.  ’Can it be him they mean that’s the low tradesman?’ was Maria’s mysterious exclamation.  She examined the pair, and added:  ’Oh, no.  It must be the tall one they mistook for the small one.  But Mr. Harrington ought not to demean himself by keeping company with such, and my lady should know of it.’

My lady, alighting from the Lymport coach, did know of it, within a few minutes after Evan had quitted the Green Dragon, and turned pale, as high-born dames naturally do when they hear of a relative’s disregard of the company he keeps.

‘A tailor, my lady!’ said scornful Maria; and the Countess jumped and complained of a pin.

‘How did you hear of this, Conning?’ she presently asked with composure.

’Oh, my lady, he was tipsy last night, and kept swearing out loud he was a gentleman.’

‘Tipsy!’ the Countess murmured in terror.  She had heard of inaccessible truths brought to light by the magic wand of alcohol.  Was Evan intoxicated, and his dreadful secret unlocked last night?

‘And who may have told you of this, Conning?’ she asked.

Maria plunged into one of the boxes, and was understood to say that nobody in particular had told her, but that among other flying matters it had come to her ears.

‘My brother is Charity itself,’ sighed the Countess.  ’He welcomes high or low.’

‘Yes, but, my lady, a, tailor!’ Maria repeated, and the Countess, agreeing with her scorn as she did, could have killed her.  At least she would have liked to run a bodkin into her, and make her scream.  In her position she could not always be Charity itself:  nor is this the required character for a high-born dame:  so she rarely affected it.

’Order a fly:  discover the direction Mr. Harrington has taken; spare me further remarks,’ she said; and Maria humbly flitted from her presence.

When she was gone, the Countess covered her face with her hands.  ’Even this creature would despise us!’ she exclaimed.