From forest cave her shrieking young,
And calm the lonely lioness—
But chide not—mock not my distress.
—Byron.
Alice retired to her chamber and waited restlessly. An hour passed, and still she heard no sound of departing guests. It was quite dark and she rang the bell.
Milly entered with lights.
“Tea is ready to go on the table, Miss Ally. Shall we put it up?”
“Where is your master? What is he doing?”
“He is in the library, ma’am, with the gentlemen. They don’t seem to have any notion of going home. General Garnet—he sent for more wine, and ordered deviled turkey and scalloped crabs—two other gentlemen have come in, and they are all very high upon pullyticks.”
Alice heard and sighed deeply.