"
The Gresham party, including Dr. Thorne, had remained in the
ante-chamber during the battle. The whole combat did not occupy above
two minutes, and the three of them were hemmed off from escape by
Lady Lufton's retreat into Dr. Easyman's lap; but now they, too,
essayed to pass on.
"What, you will desert me," said Miss Dunstable. "Very well; but I
shall find you out by and by. Frank, there is to be some dancing in
one of the rooms,--just to distinguish the affair from Mrs. Proudie's
conversazione. It would be stupid, you know, if all conversaziones
were alike; wouldn't it? So I hope you will go and dance."
"There will, I presume, be another variation at feeding time," said
Mrs. Harold Smith.
"Oh yes, certainly; I am the most vulgar of all wretches in
that respect. I do love to set people eating and drinking--Mr.
Supplehouse, I am delighted to see you; but do tell me--" and then
she whispered with great energy into the ear of Mr. Supplehouse, and
Mr. Supplehouse again whispered into her ear. "You think he will,
then?" said Miss Dunstable. Mr. Supplehouse assented; he did think
so; but he had no warrant for stating the circumstance as a fact. And
then he passed on, hardly looking at Mrs. Harold Smith as he passed.
"What a hang-dog countenance he has," said that lady.
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