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 .