The band immediately struck up an enlivening air, and the guests gazed at Learmont with bewildered looks, for he presented more the appearance of a madman than the high-bred courteous gentleman he had seemed during the evening.
The servant slowly retreated, but Learmont could not, dared not, let him go without some answer to the savage.
“Will your ladyship excuse me one moment?” he said to the Honourable Georgiana Brereton, in an agitated manner.
“For as many as you please, sir,” answered the haughty damsel, with a tone of pique and insolence.
Learmont strode after the servant, and just as the latter reached the door, he caught, him, and said,—
“Tell him to wait.”
“Yes, your honour,” said the servant.
Learmont hurried back to where he had left the honourable lady, but she was not there. He glanced hurriedly around him, and saw her with her noble relatives at a distant part of the room. In a minute he was with them.
“Pardon my rudeness,” he said, “in leaving you. I am a bachelor, and have so many troublesome domestic matters to arrange that I am compelled sometimes to appear rude where I would most of all wish to be otherwise.”
“The interruption,” said the young lady, “was so very extraordinary.”