The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 336: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE BRILLIANT ENTERTAINMENT 305 asked Anastatia, the colour for an instant rushing to her cheeks. “‘ I did, my lady,’ replied the domestic, “‘ but, to tell your ladyship the truth, he insists — ”’ “ Enough,” interrupted Anastatia, and then, with regained self-possession, she added, ‘‘ Yes, the business is of import- ance. I will speak to him. Where is he? ”’ “‘I showed him into the breakfast-parlour, my lady,”’ answered the footman, ‘“‘ for, to tell your ladyship the truth,” added the man, with an air of concern, “ he is the worse for liquor, and I scarcely dared venture to bring his message to your ladyship.”’ Anastatia moved hastily away; she felt humiliated in the presence of her servant. There was something degrading in the idea that she should be asked for by a person who came in a state of intoxication, and that she should not dare bid the domestic turn him away from the house. She was con- siderably agitated, though outwardly this excitement was scarcely visible to the crowd of guests amongst whom she passed on her way toward the door of the ballroom. She issued forth, descended the stairs, and proceeded to the breakfast-parlour. Now, it happened that Sir Frederick Latham was standing at a little distance from the spot where that rapid conversa- tion had taken place between Anastatia and the domestic. He had seen the servant hover about the group in order to gain speech with Anastatia, and he had marked that glow which had crimsoned her countenance. He naturally con- cluded that something wrong had occurred in the household arrangements, and that something might suddenly have been discovered to be defective with reference to the splendid supper which was to be spread in the banqueting-room. He therefore beckoned the footman forth upon the land- ing, and he said, “‘ What has occurred to annoy her lady- ship? ”’ For an instant the man looked confused, and seemed as if he would rather not have been questioned, but, as at a second glance toward his master’s countenance, he caught the gaze of the merchant’s cold blue eyes fixed steadfastly and searchingly upon him, he stammered out, ‘‘ It is nothing particular, sir, — only a person who has called on some little business — ”’ COMIC OOO <S (CO)