Page:Paul Clifford Vol 2.djvu/83

Rh Lucy Brandon,—"do I see rightly? or is that Miss Brandon?"

"It is, indeed, that lovely young lady," said Mr. . "I congratulate you on knowing one so admired. I suppose that you, being blessed with her acquaintance, do not need the formality of my introduction."

"Umph!" said the stranger, rather shortly and uncourteously—"No! Perhaps you had better present me!"

"By what name, shall I have that honour, Sir?" discreetly enquired the nomenclator.

"Clifford!" answered the stranger; "Captain Clifford!"

Upon this, the prim Master of the ceremonies, threading his path through the now fast-filling room, approached towards Lucy to obey Mr. Clifford's request. Meanwhile, that gentleman, before he followed the steps of the tutelary Spirit of the Place, paused, and said to his friends, in a tone careless, yet not without command, "Hark ye, Gentlemen, oblige me by being as