Their
very door was opened by the old clerk with the most obsequious of
reverences, and there entered a gorgeous vision of scarlet and gold,
bowing gracefully with a wave of a cocked and plumed hat!
The Major started, and was moving out of his corner--the seat of honour
--but the stranger forbade this by another gesture, and took his place,
after standing for a moment with his face hidden in his hat. Then he
took an anxious survey, not without an almost imperceptible elevation
of eyebrow and shoulder, as if disappointed, and accepted the Prayer-
book, which the Major offered him.
Betty kept her eyes glued to her book, and when that was not in
use, upon the mittened hands crossed before her, resolute against
distraction, and every prayer turning into a petition for her sister's
welfare; but Eugene gazed, open-eyed and open-mouthed, oblivious of
his beloved hole, and Harriet, though keeping her lids down, and
her book open, contrived to make a full inspection of the splendid
apparition.
It was tall and slight, youthfully undeveloped, yet with the grace
of personal symmetry, high breeding, and military training, upright
without stiffness, with a command and dexterity of movement which
prevented the sword and spurs from being the annoyance to his pew-
mates that country awkwardness usually made these appendages.
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