Such
a welcome being given them as landlords can give in dull times, the
latter ordered fires in the drawing and coffee-rooms, and went to
the boy in the yard, who soon scrubbed himself up, dragged his
disused jacket from its box, polished the buttons with his sleeve,
and appeared civilized in the hall. The lady was shown into a room
where she could take off her snow-damped garments, which she sent
down to be dried, her companion, meanwhile, putting a couple of
sovereigns on the table, as if anxious to make everything smooth and
comfortable at starting, and requesting that a private sitting-room
might be got ready. The landlord assured him that the best upstairs
parlour--usually public--should be kept private this evening, and
sent the maid to light the candles. Dinner was prepared for them,
and, at the gentleman's desire, served in the same apartment; where,
the young lady having joined him, they were left to the rest and
refreshment they seemed to need.
That something was peculiar in the relations of the pair had more
than once struck the landlord, though wherein that peculiarity lay
it was hard to decide. But that his guest was one who paid his way
readily had been proved by his conduct, and dismissing conjectures,
he turned to practical affairs.
About nine o'clock he re-entered the hall, and, everything being
done for the day, again walked up and down, occasionally gazing
through the glass door at the prospect without, to ascertain how the
weather was progressing.
Pages:
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249