CHAPTER XVIII 241
Excitement instantly seized the whole party: a running fire of raillery and jests was proceeding when Sam returned.
" She won ' t come 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 better just look in upon her before any of the ladies go," said Colonel Dent.
" Tell her, Sam, a gentleman is coming." Sam went and returned.
" She says, sir, that she ' ll have no gentlemen; they need not trouble themselves to come near her; nor," he added, with difficulty suppressing a titter, " any ladies either, except the young, and single."
" By Jove, she has taste!" exclaimed Henry Lynn.