THE MAN FROM BLANKLEY'S.
A Story in Scenes.
Scene IV.—Mrs. Tidmarsh's Drawing-room; Mr. Tidmarsh has just shaken hands with the latest arrival, and is still in the utmost perplexity as to the best manner to adopt towards him. The other Guests are conversing, with increased animation, at the further end of the room.
Lord Strathsporran (to Mr. Tidmarsh). Afraid I'm most abominably late—had some difficulty in getting here—such a fog, don't you know! It's really uncommonly good of you to let me come and see your antiquities like this. If I am not mistaken, you have got together a collection of sepulchral objects worth coming any distance to study. [He glances round the room, in evident astonishment.
Mr. Tid. (to himself). Nice names to give my dinner-party! Impudent young dog, this—Lord or no Lord! (Aloud, with dignity.) I—ha—hum—don't think that's quite the way to speak of them, Sir—my Lord, I suppose I ought to say!
Lord Strath. Oh, I expect a most interesting evening, I assure you.
Mr. Tid. Well, I—I daresay you'll have no cause to complain, so far as that goes, Lord—er—Strath—you'll excuse me, but I haven't quite got accustomed to that title of yours.
Lord Strath. (smiling). Not surprised at that—feel much the same myself.