“The page!” said Sir Norman, with a stare, as he leaned forward to look; “pray, madam, what has the page to do with it?”
“Look and see!”
The two peers has ascended the stairs, and were already on the bridge. The page loitered behind, talking, as it seemed, to the waterman.
“He wears the livery of the Earl of Rochester,” said Ormiston, speaking for the first time, “but I cannot see his face.”
“He will follow presently, and be sure you see it then! Possibly you may not find it entirely new to you.”
She drew back into the shadow as she spoke; and the two nobles, as they advanced, talking earnestly, beheld Sir Norman and Ormiston. Both raised their hats with a look of recognition, and the salute was courteously returned by the others.
“Good-night, gentlemen,” said Lord Rochester; “a hot evening, is it not? Have you come here to witness the illumination?”
“Hardly,” said Sir Norman; “we have come for a very different purpose, my lord.”
“The fires will have one good effect,” said Ormiston laughing; “if they clear the air and drive away this stifling atmosphere.”
“Pray God they drive away the plague!” said the Duke of York, as he and his companion passed from view.