Self-Raised; Or, From the DepthsSouthworth, Emma Dorothy Eliza Nevitte
General
Self-Raised; Or, From the Depths
Southworth, Emma Dorothy Eliza Nevitte
Fiction
"Oh, some strong coffee with cream, hot rolls with fresh butter, and
broiled moor hen with currant jelly," replied Faustina.
Lord Vincent wrote his order down with a pencil on a leaf of his
tablets, tore it out and gave it to Christie, saying:
"Take this to the 'Highlander' and tell them to send the breakfast
immediately. Also inquire for my servant, Cuthbert Allan, who is
stopping there, and order him to put my horses to the carriage and
bring them around here for my use."
The man bowed civilly and went out to do this errand.
In about half an hour he returned, accompanied by a waiter from the
"Highlander," bringing the breakfast piled up on a large tray,
unfolded the cloth and spread it upon one of the benches and
arranged the breakfast upon it.
"Did you see my servant?" inquired Lord Vincent of his messenger.
"Yes, me laird, and gi'e him your order. The carriage will be
round," replied the man.
As the viscount and his companion drew their bench up to the other
bench upon which their morning meal was laid, Mr. Frisbie, who had
been sitting in a remote corner of the hall with his head buried on
his knees, got up and humbly stood before them, as if silently
offering his services to wait at table.
"He here!" exclaimed Faustina, in amazement.
"Yes, he is in the same boat with us. Go sit down, Frisbie; we don't
need you," said Lord Vincent. And the ex-valet retired and crouched
in his corner like a repulsed dog.
Trouble did not take away the appetite of Mrs. Dugald. It does not
ever have that effect upon constitutions in which the animal nature
largely preponderates. She ate, drank, and wept, and so got through
a very hearty repast. Lord Vincent, having swallowed a single cup of
coffee, which constituted the whole of his breakfast, sat and
watched her performances with unconcealed scorn.
Before Faustina got through Officer McRae began impatiently to
consult his large silver turnip.
"It is time to go," he said at length.
But Faustina continued to suck the bones of the moor hen, between
her trickling tears.
"We must not keep the magistrate waiting," said McRae.
But Faustina continued to suck and cry.
"I am sorry to hurry you, madam; but we must go," said McRae
decisively.
"Ah, bah! what a beastly place! where a poor little lady is not
permitted to eat her breakfast in peace!" she exclaimed, throwing
down the delicate bone at which she had been nibbling, and fiercely
starting up.
As she had not removed her bonnet and cloak during the whole night
she was quite ready.
As they were going out Lord Vincent pointed to Frisbie and inquired:
"Is not that fellow to go?"
"No; he is in upon a heavier charge, you know, my lord. Your
examination precedes his," said McRae, as he conducted his prisoners
into the street, leaving Mr. Frisbie to solace himself with the
remnants of Faustina's breakfast, guarded by Christie.
The viscount's carriage was drawn up before the door.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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