“Of what?” said he, with an expression of astonishment, while the whole frame of the young lady shook with some internal emotion.
“A set of fause teeth,” she repeated; and was again echoed by the interrogation, “What?”
‘A third time she asked the question, and in a more audible key; when he replied, with a kind of suppressed laugh: “There is Mr Nasmyth, north corner of St Andrew Square, a very good dentist; and there is Mr Hutchins, corner of Hanover and George Street.”
‘She requested he would give her their names on a slip of paper. He rose and walked to the table, wrote down both the directions, which he folded and presented to her.
‘She now rose to take leave. The bell was rung, and when the servant entered, his master desired him to see if the Lady Pitlyal’s carriage was at the door.
‘He returned to tell there was no carriage waiting, on which her Ladyship remarked: “This comes of fore-hand payments—they make hint-hand wark. I gae a hackney-coachman twa shillings to bring me here, and he’s awa’ without me.”
‘There was not a coach within sight, and another had to be sent for from a distant stand of coaches. It was by this time past the hour of dinner, and there seemed no hope of being rid of his visitors.
‘Her Ladyship said she was in no hurry, as they had had tea, and were going to the play, and hoped he would accompany them. He said he had not yet had his dinner.
“What is the play to-night?” said she.
“It is the Heart of Midlothian again, I believe.”