"
"And I came to you," replied Donal, "to say I wanted to see his
lordship!"
"That's well fitted, then, sir!" returned Simmons. "I will go and
see when. His lordship is not up, nor likely to be for some hours
yet; he is in one of his low fits this morning. He told me you were
not quite yourself last night."
As he spoke his red nose seemed to examine Donal's face with a
kindly, but not altogether sympathetic scrutiny.
"The fact is, Simmons," answered Donal, "not being used to wine, I
fear I drank more of his lordship's than was good for me."
"His lordship's wine," murmured Simmons, and there checked himself.
"--How much did you drink, sir--if I may make so bold?"
"I had one glass during dinner, and more than one, but not nearly
two, after."
"Pooh! pooh, sir! That could never hurt a strong man like you! You
ought to know better than that! Look at me!"
But he did not go on with his illustration.
"Tut!" he resumed, "that make you sleep till ten o'clock!--If you
will kindly wait in the hall, or in the schoolroom, I will bring you
his lordship's orders."
So saying while he washed his hands and took off his white apron,
Simmons departed on his errand to his master. Donal went to the foot
of the grand staircase, and there waited.
As he stood he heard a light step above him, and involuntarily
glancing up, saw the light shape of lady Arctura come round the
curve of the spiral stair, descending rather slowly and very softly,
as if her feet were thinking.
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