Chapter XI. The ball on the opposite side.
We are all three rather tired this morning, - Salemina, Francesca,
and I, - for we went to one of the smartest balls of the London
season last night, and were robbed of half our customary allowance
of sleep in consequence.
It may be difficult for you to understand our weariness, when I
confess that the ball was not quite of the usual sort; that we did
not dance at all; and, what is worse, that we were not asked, either
to tread a measure, or sit out a polka, or take 'one last turn.'
To begin at the beginning, there is a large vacant house directly
opposite Smith's Private Hotel, and there has been hanging from its
balcony, until very lately, a sign bearing the following notice:-
THESE COMMANDING PREMISES
WITH A SUPERFICIAL AREA OF
10,000 FT. AND 50 FT.
FRONTAGE TO DOVERMARLE ST.
WILL BE SOLD BY AUCTION
ON TUESDAY, JUNE 28TH, BY
MESSRS. SKIDDY, YADDLETHORPE AND SKIDDY
LAND AGENTS AND SURVEYORS
27 HASTINGS PLACE, PALL MALL.
A few days ago, just as we were finishing a late breakfast, an
elderly gentleman drove up in a private hansom, and alighted at this
vacant house on the opposite side. Behind him, in a cab, came two
men, who unlocked the front door, went in, came out on the balcony,
cut the wires supporting the sign, took it down, opened all the
inside shutters, and disappeared through some rear entrance. The
elderly gentleman went upstairs for a moment, came down again, and
drove away.
"The house has been sold, I suppose," said Salemina; "and for my
part I envy the new owner his bargain. He is close to Piccadilly,
has that bit of side lawn with the superb oak-tree, and the duke's
beautiful gardens so near that they will seem virtually his own when
he looks from his upper windows."
At tea-time the same elderly gentleman drove up in a victoria, with
a very pretty young lady.
"The plot thickens," said Francesca, who was nearest the window.
"Do you suppose she is his bride-elect, and is he showing her their
future home, or is she already his wife? If so, I fear me she
married him for his title and estates, for he is more than a shade
too old for her."
"Don't be censorious, child," I remonstrated, taking my cup idly
across the room, to be nearer the scene of action. "Oh, dear! there
is a slight discrepancy, I confess, but I can explain it. This is
how it happened: The girl had never really loved, and did not know
what the feeling was.
