“When did you come?” “Who's that, Mortimer?” “Is that your brother?” “What's his name?” “Shall you be in our class?” “Why didn't you stay longer in Bristol?—If I had been you I would!”
Louis was amused though puzzled, and turned first one way, and then another, in his futile attempts to see and reply to his interrogators.
“Make way!” at last exclaimed Frank Digby; “you are quite embarrassing to her ladyship. Will the lady Louisa take my arm? Allow me, madam, to interpose my powerful authority.” And he offered his arm to Louis with a smirk and low bow, which set all the spectators off laughing; for Frank was one of those privileged persons, who, having attained a celebrity for being very funny, can excite a laugh with very little trouble.
“Don't, Frank!” said Reginald.
“Don't! really, Mr. Mortimer, if you have no respect for your sister's feelings, it is time that I interposed. Here you allow this herd of I don't know what to call them, to incommode her with their senseless clamor. I protest, she is nearly fainting; she has been gasping for breath the last five minutes. Be off, ye fussy, curious, prying, peeping, pressing-round fellows; or, I promise you, you shall be visited with his majesty's heaviest displeasure.”
“How do you do, lady Louisa? I hope your ladyship's in good health!” “Don't press on her!” was now echoed mischievously in various tones around Louis, whose color was considerably heightened by this unexpected attack.
“Now do allow me,” persisted Frank, dragging Louis' hand in his arm, in spite of all the victim's efforts to prevent it, and leading him forcibly through the throng, which made way on every side, to Edward Hamilton, the grave youth before mentioned:—“His majesty is anxious to make the acquaintance of his fair subject. Permit me to present to your majesty the lovely, gentle, blushing lady Louisa Mortimer, lately arrived in your majesty's kingdom; your majesty will perceive that she bears loyalty in her—hey! what! excited!—hysterics!”
The last exclamations were elicited by a violent effort of Louis to extricate himself.
“Frank, leave him alone!”
“What is the will of royalty?” said Frank, struggling with his refractory cousin.