"
"Dick, be reasonable,--listen--"
"Have the goodness to let me pass, sir."
"You are faint, worn out--stay here, Dick, and I--"
"Thanks, Beverley, but I accept favors from my friends only--pray
stand aside."
"Dick, if you'll only wait, I'll go to her now--this moment--I'll
beg her to see you--"
"Very kind, sir!" sneered the Viscount, "you are--privileged it seems.
But, by God, I don't need you, or any one else, to act as go-between
or plead my cause. And mark me, sir! I'll find her yet. I swear to
you I'll never rest until I find her again. And now, sir, once and
for all, I have the honor to wish you a very good day!" saying which
the Viscount bowed, and, having re-settled his arm in its sling,
walked away down the corridor, very upright as to back, yet a little
uncertain in his stride nevertheless, and so was gone.
Then Barnabas, becoming aware of the polite letters, and cards,
embossed, gilt-edged and otherwise, swept them incontinent to the
floor and, sinking into a chair, set his elbows upon the table, and
leaning his head upon his hands fell into a gloomy meditation. It
was thus that the Gentleman-in-Powder presently found him, and,
advancing into the room with insinuating legs, coughed gently to
attract his attention, the which proving ineffectual, he spoke:
"Ex-cuse me, sir, but there is a--person downstairs, sir--at the door,
sir!"
"What kind of person?" inquired Barnabas without looking up.
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