Page:Scott - Tales of my Landlord - 3rd series, vol. 2 - 1819.djvu/100

90 school. There was, besides, a noble full-length of the Lord Keeper in his robes of office, placed beside his lady in silk and ermine, a haughty beauty, bearing in her looks all the pride of the House of Douglas, from which she was descended. The painter, notwithstanding his skill, overcome by the reality, or, perhaps, from a suppressed sense of humour, had not been able to give the husband on the canvass that air of awful rule and right supremacy, which indicates the full possession of domestic authority. It was obvious, at the first glance, that, despite mace and gold frogs, the Lord Keeper was somewhat hen-pecked. The floor of this fine saloon was laid with rich carpets, huge fires blazed in the double chimnies, and ten silver sconces reflecting, with their bright plates, the lights which they supported, made the whole seem as brilliant as day.

"Would you chuse any refreshment. Master?" said Sir William Ashton, not unwilling to break the awkward silence.