"You mustn't get a chill after getting hot, Mrs. Poulter. I'll whisk you home in no time. You know Mrs. and Miss Hamilton, don't you?"
Toney was off again like lightning, and Mrs. Hamilton felt she was taken in. She was a lady, and always spoke to the poor with kind condescension, but she would never have dreamt of sharing her carriage with a panting and perspiring old woman from the village. Maud was, however, less particular than her mother, and remarked,
"It's nice to get such a quick carriage, Mrs. Poulter! We have been round by Deep Hollow in no time."
"These new-fashioned carriages are a sight to see to be sure, ma'am, but Miss Toney, she be that clever a-driving and a-riding, I don't mind a-trusting of her. My son says he never saw such a one for horses--though, to be sure, there ain't any in here. It is a long way to Whitfield, and I was beginning to feel done up, that I was, and 'tain't often one gets a lift. To be sure, to be sure."
Then Toney pulled up at the cottage door in no time, and helped out the old woman whilst Lewis carried her basket to the door, amidst her profuse apologies of [Transcriber's note: word(s) missing here]
"Don't ee, now, sir, be a carrying my basket. 'Tain't fit for such as you. But 'tain't no use going agin Miss Toney, she won't listen to nothing if it's to save anyone a bit of trouble. Bless her."
"That's what a good many people say, Mrs. Poulter. Good afternoon," and Lewis raised his hat and returned to his place beside Toney.
"You see what a useful machine I have! Poor old Nancy, she works too hard for that selfish son. What luck! the gates are open. Now I'll just spin you up, Mrs. Hamilton, in style. There are no Bobbies here."
The car flew, and Mrs. Hamilton and Maud held on tightly with one hand and clutched their hats with the other, whilst Lewis laughed.
"This is quite your style, Toney. You do go a pace, I hope it isn't kingdom come for us all."
"No fear; you will go and talk about the farm to his Royal Highness, won't you, and just interest him."
They pulled up at the front door safe and sound, but surprises were not over yet.
"If you please, Miss Whitburn," said Diggings severely, "there's five persons come here asking for Mr. Russell, and her ladyship has 'em in the drawing-room as Mr. Russell is out, and she says you were to come at once when you came in."