Lady Latimer was observant too, and she now left her blue-book, and
said, "Mr. Musgrave, will you not have tea?"
Harry came forward and accepted a cup, and was kept standing in the
middle of the room for the next half hour, extemporizing views and
opinions upon subjects on which he had none, until a glance of my lady's
eye towards the clock on the chimney-piece gave him notice of the hours
observed in great society. A few minutes after he took his leave,
without having found the opportunity of speaking to Bessie again, except
to say "Good-night."
As Harry Musgrave left the room my lady rang the bell, and when the
servant answered it she turned to Bessie and said in her iced voice,
"Perhaps you would like to send for a shawl?"
"Thank you, but I will not go out again," said Bessie mildly, and the
servant vanished.
Mr. Logger, who had really much amiability, here offered a remark: "A
very fine young man, that Mr. Musgrave--great power of countenance.
Wherever I meet with it now I say, Let us cherish talent, for it will
soon be the only real distinction where everybody is rich."
Mr. Cecil Burleigh made an inarticulate murmur, which might signify
acquiescence or the reverse.
Lady Latimer said, "Young ladies, I think it is time you were going up
stairs." And with dutiful alacrity the young ladies went.
"Never mind," whispered Dora to Bessie with a kiss as they separated.
"If you take any notice of Aunt Olympia's tempers, you will not have a
moment's peace: I never do.
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