第39部分(第6/8 頁)

　silent；　apparently　examining　sundry　sheets　of　music。　“I　have　a　curiosity　to　hear　my　fortune　told：　therefore；　Sam；　order　the　beldame　forward。”

“My　darling　Blanche！　recollect—”

“I　do—I　recollect　all　you　can　suggest；　and　I　must　have　my　！”

“Yes—yes—yes！”　cried　all　the　juveniles；　both　ladies　and　gentlemen。　“Let　her　e—it　will　be　excellent　sport！”

The　footman　still　lingered。　“She　looks　such　a　rough　one；”　said　he。

“Go！”　ejaculated　Miss　Ingram；　and　the　man　went。

Excitement　instantly　seized　the　whole　party：　a　running　fire　of　raillery　and　jests　was　proceeding　when　Sam　returned。

“She　won’t　e　now；”　said　he。　“She　says　it’s　not　her　mission　to　appear　before　the　‘vulgar　herd’　（them’s　her　words）。　I　must　show　her　into　a　room　by　herself；　and　then　those　who　wish　to　consult　her　must　go　to　her　one　by　one。”

“You　see　now；　my　queenly　Blanche；”　began　Lady　Ingram；　“she　encroaches。　Be　advised；　my　angel　girl—and—”

“Show　her　into　the　library；　of　course；”　cut　in　the　“angel　girl。”　“It　is　not　my　mission　to　listen　to　her　before　the　vulgar　herd　either：　I　mean　to　have　her　all　to　myself。　Is　there　a　fire　in　the　library？”

“Yes；　ma’am—but　she　looks　such　a　tinkler。”

“Cease　that　chatter；　blockhead！　and　do　my　bidding。”

Again　Sam　vanished；　and　mystery；　animation；　expectation　rose　to　full　flow　once　more。

“She’s　ready　now；”　said　the　footman；　as　he　reappeared。　“She　wishes　to　know　who　will　be　her　first　visitor。”

“I　think　I　had