Page:The Plutocrat (1927).pdf/552

 broideries, of wrought metals, of glass, of ostrich feathers, of inlaid ebony and sandal-wood, of carved jade, and of domed bird-cages. He acknowledged their salutations heartily as he stepped into the car; the dapper Eastern gentleman got in beside him; the trumpet sounded again, and the pageant began to move.

Half of the cavalry troop galloped forward, clearing the street; the other half split into two sections, one on each side of the automobile, and thus with a glorious clattering and a noble pomposity of colour, the astounding procession came beneath the eyes of the watchers upon the veranda.

But there was something that astonished Laurence Ogle more than the procession did; and that was the humourless calm of Mrs. Tinker, though Olivia laughed delightedly. "Gracious!" the daughter said, "it's almost like the day he had to escort those French marshals and admirals and people up Jefferson Avenue to the stand in the Court House Yard."

"Who's that with him?" Mrs. Tinker inquired of the courier, and a slight frown appeared upon her forehead. "I mean the funny little man he's got in the car with him."

"I think it is a Pasha, who lives here," Le Seyeux