“Ah!” exclaimed the Lord Chamberlain, as soon as he had recovered sufficient presence of mind to shake his head. “Ah,” quoth he.
“Yea, forsooth!” replied the Chancellor, with the air of one who could say a great deal if he chose.
The Arch-Treasurer of the Empire, who never spoke at all, if he could help it, and who never allowed his countenance to indulge itself in any particular expression, shrugged his shoulders slightly, but with what particular intention no one ventured to imagine.
The old ladies of the household (including his grace the Keeper of the Records) were, however, by no means so prudent or taciturn.
“I knew how it would be!” cried one.
“I always guessed as much,” rejoined another.
“I anticipated it from the first,” ejaculated the third.
“This comes of Fairy-godmothers,” groaned forth he of the Records.
“No doubt, it is some malicious prank of hers!” said Nurse Yellowlily, with a shudder.
“I shouldn’t be surprised if henceforth the poor child were possessed,” added the first speaker.