He put on his best clothes, and
followed Simmons up the grand staircase. The great rooms of the
castle were on the first floor, but he passed the entrance to them,
following his guide up and up to the second floor, where the earl
had his own apartment. Here he was shown into a small room, richly
furnished after a sombrely ornate fashion, the drapery and coverings
much faded, worn even to shabbiness. It had been for a century or so
the private sitting-room of the lady of the castle, but was now used
by the earl, perhaps in memory of his wife. Here he received his
sons, and now Donal, but never any whom business or politeness
compelled him to see.
There was no one in the room when Donal entered, but after about ten
minutes a door opened at the further end, and lord Morven appearing
from his bedroom, shook hands with him with some faint show of
kindness. Almost the same moment the butler entered from a third
door, and said dinner waited. The earl walked on, and Donal
followed. This room also was a small one. The meal was laid on a
little round table. There were but two covers, and Simmons alone was
in waiting.
While they ate and drank, which his lordship did sparingly, not a
word was spoken. Donal would have found it embarrassing had he not
been prepared for the peculiar. His lordship took no notice of his
guest, leaving him to the care of the butler.
Pages:
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248