Lord Ormont and His Aminta — Volume 3 by George Meredith
page 34 of 72 (47%)
page 34 of 72 (47%)
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Tell Mrs. Maples to send up now, here, a tray, whatever she has, within
five minutes--not later. A bottle of the Peace of Amiens Chambertin-- Mr. Eglett's. You understand. Mrs. Maples will pack a basket for the journey; she will judge. Add a bottle of the Waterloo Bordeaux. Wait: a dozen of Mr. Eglett's cigars. Brisk with all the orders. Go.' She turned to Weyburn. 'You pack your portmanteau faster than a servant will do it.' He ran up-stairs. She was beside the tray to welcome and inspirit his eating, and she performed the busy butler's duty in pouring out wine for him. It was a toned old Burgundy, happy in the year of its birth, the grandest of instruments to roll the gambol-march of the Dionysiaca through the blood of this frame and sound it to the spirit. She spoke no word of his cause for departure. He drank, and he felt what earth can do to cheer one of her stricken children and strengthen the beat of a heart with a dread like a shot in it. She, while he flew supporting the body of his most beloved to the sun of Life in brighter hope, reckoned the stages of his journey. 'Leeman at Loughton will post you through the night to Mersley. Wherever you bait, it is made known that you come from Olmer, and are one of us. That passes you on up to London. Where can Lord Ormont be now?' 'In Paris.' 'Still in Paris? He leaves her. She did well to send as she did. You |
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