"There is no answer." Mercy stopped her as she was about to leave the room.

The appearance of the maid suggested an inquiry to her.

She asked if any of the servants were likely to be going into town that afternoon.
"Yes, miss.

One of the grooms is going on horseback, with a message to her ladyship's coach-maker." The Refuge was close by the coach-maker's place of business.

Under the circumstances, Mercy was emboldened to make use of the man.