Botherby's stories about Lamartine are as old as the hills,since the barricades of 1848;and he could not get in a word or cut the slightest figure.And as for Tom Dawson,he was carrying on an undertoned small-talk with Lady Barbara St.
Mary's,so that there was not much conversation worth record going on WITHIN the dining-room.
Outside it was different.Those houses in Lilliput Street are so uncommonly compact,that you can hear everything which takes place all over the tenement;and so--In the awful pauses of the banquet,and the hall-door being furthermore open,we had the benefit of hearing:
The cook,and the occasional cook,below stairs,exchanging rapid phrases regarding the dinner;The smash of the soup-tureen,and swift descent of the kitchen-maid and soup-ladle down the stairs to the lower regions.This accident created a laugh,and rather amused Fitzroy and the company,and caused Funnyman to say,bowing to Rosa,that she was mistress of herself,though China fall.But she did not heed him,for at that moment another noise commenced,namely,that of--The baby in the upper rooms,who commenced a series of piercing yells,which,though stopped by the sudden clapping to of the nursery-door,were only more dreadful to the mother when suppressed.She would have given a guinea to go up stairs and have done with the whole entertainment.
A thundering knock came at the door very early after the dessert,and the poor soul took a speedy opportunity of summoning the ladies to depart,though you may be sure it was only old Mrs.Gashleigh,who had come with her daughters--of course the first person to come.I saw her red gown whisking up the stairs,which were covered with plates and dishes,over which she trampled.