Page:Scott - Tales of my Landlord - 3rd series, vol. 1 - 1819.djvu/288

278 his daughter,—"and naething left in the house fit to present for dinner—or for supper either, for aught that I can see."

"I verily believe you, Caleb," said Ravenswood drily.

Balderstone here turned to his master a half-upbraiding, half-imploring countenance, and edged towards him as he repeated, "It was nae great matter of preparation; but just something added to your honour's ordinary course of fare—petty cover, as they say at the Louvre—three courses and the fruit."

"Keep your intolerable nonsense to yourself, you old fool," said Ravenswood, mortified at his officiousness, yet not knowing how to contradict him, without the risk of giving rise to scenes yet more ridiculous.

Caleb saw his advantage, and resolved to improve it. But first, observing that the Lord Keeper's servant entered the apartmetapartment [sic], and spoke apart with his master, he took the same opportunity to whisper a few