Then with a. burning flush of shame she remembered how, in her wish
to be alone, she had sent him into temptation, instead of trying
to shield and protect, as had Miss Martell in the case of Harcourt,
whose abstemiousness had excited the surprise of more than one.
But without a word she went directly to the supper-room; and there
witnessed a scene that she never forgot.
The elegant De Forrest was crawling about the floor, uttering her
name continually in connection with the most maudlin sentiment,
and averring with many oaths that he would never rise till he had
found what she had lost.
Brently, almost equally drunk, sat near, convulsed with laughter,
saying with silly iteration, "He's looking for Miss Marsden's
heart."
Mrs. Byram and her son stood helplessly by, their manner showing
that their wish to be polite was almost mastered by their disgust.
Hemstead, who was trying to get De Forrest up, had just given a
stern rebuke to one of the giggling waiters as Lottie entered.
It did not take her over a moment to comprehend all. While her
face was crimson, she acted decidedly and with a. certain dignity.
Going directly to De Forrest she said, "Julian, I have found what
I lost. Get up and come with me."
His habitual deference to her wishes and words served him now. Her
tone and manner were quiet but very firm and positive, and he at
once sought to obey. Hemstead and Harcourt helped him to his feet.
"I am going home, Julian, and wish you to go with me," she continued
in the same tone.
"Certainly (hic) my dear (hic) I'll do anything (hic) in the world
(hic) or anywhere else for you."
A look of intense disgust flitted across her face, but she turned,
and said emphatically to the others: "I am more to blame for this
than he. I sent him here some time since, when I knew, or ought
to have known, that he should have been kept away from temptation.
May I trespass so far upon your kindness as to ask all present to
remain silent in regard to this scene."
"I know little of etiquette," said Hemstead, "but surely any one
would fail utterly in true courtesy, did they not accede to that
request."
"Thank you, Mr. Hemstead," said Lottie, with a look he did not soon
forget. "Will you order the sleigh to the door? Mr. Harcourt, will
you get Mr. De Forrest's hat and coat?"
The door leading into the parlor had been closed and locked as soon
as the trouble commenced, and thus the guests were ignorant of the
disgraceful scene.
"Julian, I wish you to sit quietly here till I return," said Lottie,
in the most decided manner.
He had sense enough left to know that something was wrong, and that
his safest course was to yield to her. So, muttering, maudlin, and
dishevelled, he sat almost helplessly in the chair where he was
placed, with not a trace of his former elegance left.
Lottie looked at him a second, with a strange expression, then,
taking Mrs. Byram aside, asked,
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