“This is most fortunate; it may serve to divert his attention.”
As he became aware of its contents his countenance fell, and holding it so that Frere might read it, he whispered—
“Here’s a treat! We are in for it now, and no mistake!”
The note ran as follows:—
“Dr. ————, Persian Professor at Addiscombe, presents his compliments to Lady Lombard, and begs to inform her that being only in town for a few hours, and learning accidentally that his Highness Prince Mustapha Ali was spending the evening at her house, he has ventured to request her permission to intrude upon her uninvited, as he is most anxious to renew his acquaintance with his Highness, whom he had the honour to know in Persia.”
CHAPTER XI.—TOM BRACY MEETS HIS MATCH.
The position in which we left Lewis and his friends at the conclusion of the preceding chapter was decidedly more peculiar than agreeable, and afforded no bad illustration of the American expression, “a pretty tall fix.” Bracy, the fertile in expedients, was the first to hazard a suggestion, which he did by whispering to Frere, “You had better be taken suddenly ill; I shall say you have had too much tongue (if you have not, I have), and that it has disagreed with you.”
“Wait a bit,” returned Frere; “you have seen the real Prince, haven’t you?”