Mrs. Dove took her charge up stairs at once to
refresh her toilette, before entering London and being presented to
my Lady.
But a clattering and stamping were heard in the yard, and Aurelia,
looking from the window, called Mrs. Dove to see four horses being
harnessed to a coach that was standing there.
"Lawk-a-day?" cried the good woman, "if it be not our own old coach,
as was the best in poor Sir Jovian's time! Ay, there be our colours,
you see, blue and gold, and my Lady's quartering. Why, 'twas atop of
that very blue hammercloth that I first set eyes on my Dove! So my
Lady has sent to meet you, Missie. Well, I do take it kind of her.
Now you will not come in your riding hood, all frowsed and dusty, but
can put on your pretty striped sacque and blue hood that you wore on
Sunday, and look the sweet pretty lady you are."
Mrs. Dove's intentions were frustrated, for the maid of the inn knocked
at the door with a message that the coach had orders not to wait, but
that Miss was to come down immediately.
"Dear, dear!" sighed Mrs. DOve. "Tell the jackanapes not to be so
hasty. He must give the young lady time to change her dress, and eat
a mouthful."
This brought Dove up to the door. "Never mind dressing and fallals,"
he said; "this is a strange fellow that says he is hired for the job,
and his orders are precise.
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