‘I have not heard, ma’am, I’ll inquire,’ said he, looking alert, and again disappearing, while Horatia looked as proud of herself as Cilly had done just before.
He came back again while Lucilla was repeating his communication, and assured Miss Charteris that no such person had called.
‘Then, what gentleman has been here, making inquiries about us?’
‘Gentleman! Indeed, ma’am, I don’t understand your meaning.’
‘Have you not been telling this young lady that a gentleman has been asking after us, and desiring to be informed what route we intended to take?’
‘Ah, sure!’ said the waiter, as if recollecting himself, ‘I did mention it. Some gentleman did just ask me in a careless sort of way who the two beautiful young ladies might be, and where they were going. Such young ladies always create a sensation, as you must be aware, ma’am, and I own I did speak of it to the young lady, because I thought she had seen the attraction of the gentleman’s eyes.’
So perfectly assured did he look, that Lucilla felt a moment’s doubt whether her memory served her as to his former words, but just as she raised her eyes and opened her lips in refutation, she met a glance from him full of ludicrous reassurance, evidently meaning that he was guarding his own secret and hers. He was gone the next moment, and Horatia turned upon her with exultant merriment.
‘I always heard that Ireland was a mendacious country,’ said Cilly.
‘And a country where people lose the use of their eyes and
ears,’ laughed Rashe. ‘O what a foundation for the second act of the drama!’