"He
is giving us a lesson in financial economy. Duchess, you must keep your
eye on the next post vacant in the Exchequer."
"Pish!" retorted her grace. "Mr. Gay is only exercising commonsense. We
all of us have a little of that commodity. If we could only have it
handy when it's wanted how much better the world would be."
Neither of the men disputed the lady's proposition, and the duchess
rising, left them to their wine.
Armed with the twenty guineas, Gay presented himself the following day
at the Bedfordbury coffee house. Mrs. Fenton was still ungracious, but
the sight of the little pile of gold and the chink of the coins
mollified her humour.
"Where and when are you going to take her?" she demanded.
Gay had arranged a plan with the duchess and he replied promptly.
"She will stay here for a few days while her wardrobe is being got
ready, then she is to go to Miss Pinwell's boarding school in Queen
Square."
"Carry me out and bury me decent," ejaculated Mrs. Fenton. "Then I'm to
be the mother of a fine lady, am I?"
"I don't say that, but a clever one if I'm not mistaken."
"Clever! Oh la! Much good will her cleverness do her. Clever! Aye in
always having a crowd o' sparks a dangling after her. That Miss
What's-her-name in Queen Square'll have to get up early to best Lavinia
when there's a man about."
"A mother shouldn't say such ill-natured things of her own child," said
Gay reprovingly.
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