For you know high blood, when it runs wrong,
will not run tamely like blood of the canaille - poor lady! - But I
have a little family pride, that - excuse me - we will change the subject
if you please." -
My uncle's curiosity was piqued. The pompous and magnificent
introduction had led him to expect something wonderful in the story to
which it served as a kind of avenue. He had no idea of being cheated
out of it by a sudden fit of unreasonable squeamishness. Besides, being
a traveller, in quest of information, considered it his duty to inquire
into every thing.
The Marquis, however, evaded every question.
"Well," said my uncle, a little petulantly, "whatever you may think of
it, I saw that lady last night."
The Marquis stepped back and gazed at him with surprise.
"She paid me a visit in my bed-chamber."
The Marquis pulled out his snuff-box with a shrug and a smile; taking
it no doubt for an awkward piece of English pleasantry, which
politeness required him to be charmed with. My uncle went on gravely,
however, and related the whole circumstance. The Marquis heard him
through with profound attention, holding his snuff-box unopened in his
hand. When the story was finished he tapped on the lid of his box
deliberately; took a long sonorous pinch of snuff -
"Bah!" said the Marquis, and walked toward the other end of the
gallery. -
* * * * *
Here the narrator paused. The company waited for some time for him to
resume his narrative; but he continued silent.
"Well," said the inquisitive gentleman, "and what did your uncle say
then?"
"Nothing," replied the other.
"And what did the Marquis say farther?"
"Nothing."
"And is that all?"
"That is all," said the narrator, filling a glass of wine.
"I surmise," said the shrewd old gentleman with the waggish nose - "I
surmise it was the old housekeeper walking her rounds to see that all
was right."
"Bah!" said the narrator, "my uncle was too much accustomed to strange
sights not to know a ghost from a housekeeper!"
There was a murmur round the table half of merriment, half of
disappointment. I was inclined to think the old gentleman had really an
afterpart of his story in reserve; but he sipped his wine and said
nothing more; and there was an odd expression about his dilapidated
countenance that left me in doubt whether he were in drollery or
earnest.
"Egad," said the knowing gentleman with the flexible nose, "this story
of your uncle puts me in mind of one that used to be told of an aunt of
mine, by the mother's side; though I don't know that it will bear a
comparison; as the good lady was not quite so prone to meet with
strange adventures. But at any rate, you shall have it."
THE ADVENTURE OF MY AUNT.
My aunt was a lady of large frame, strong mind, and great resolution;
she was what might be termed a very manly woman.
