I was just in time to see the advance of the
combined column to the door of the ball--room, through which they drove
the picket of constables like chaff, and then halted. The one--armed
functionary, a most powerful and very handsome man, now detached himself
from the phalanx, and strode up to the advanced guard of stewards
clustered in front of the ladies, who had shrunk together into a corner of
the room, like so many frightened hares.
The place being now patent to me, I walked up to comfort my party, and
could see all that passed. The champion of the Excluded had taken the
precaution to roll up the legs of his trowsers, and to tie them tightly at
the knee with his garters, which gave him the appearance of a Dutch
skipper; and in all the consciousness of being now properly arrayed, he
walked up to one of the men in authority--a small pot bellied gentleman,
and set himself to intercede for the attacking column, the head of which
was still lowering at the door. But the little steward speedily
interrupted him.
"Why, Mr Singlefist, rules must be maintained, and let me see," here he
peered through his glass at the substantial supporters of our friend,--"as
I live, you yourself are inadmissible."
The giant laughed.
"Damn the body, he must have been a tailor!--Charge, my fine fellows, and
throw the constables out of the window, and the stewards after them.
Every man his bird; and here goes for my Cock Robin.
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