Thus saying and wiping the perspiration from his brow with his cambric handkerchief, he led the way into the interior of the house followed by his embroidered and lace-covered staff.
“Ah, I thought as much!” he cried, as he entered the pandoppo, and then to the servants: “Look sharp, give the gentlemen glasses.”
As this was going on, Laurentia slipped away unobserved leaving the lords of the creation to enjoy themselves in their own fashion.
The Resident whispered a few words to Kwee Siong Liem, one of the wealthiest Chinamen in Santjoemeh, and this latter, during the brief conversation, strove to cast furtive glances at Lim Yang Bing.
“I shall go as high as I possibly can, kandjeng toean,” said the babah; “but I fear—”
“You need not be afraid,” whispered van Gulpendam.
“Aye, but, kandjeng toean, the bidding will run up too high!”
“Don’t forget, babah, that there are eight additional licenses specified in the contract.”
“That’s all very well, kandjeng toean; but—”
However, the kandjeng toean did not stay to listen to the Chinaman’s objection. He stepped forward, took off his cocked hat, raised the glass which a servant had put into his hand and said: