"
"Well, we are all attention," said Gerard with a smile.
"Hush!" said their host as a bell sounded, and he jumped up.
"Now ladies, now gentlemen, if you please; silence if you
please for a song from a Polish lady. The Signora sings
English like a new-born babe;" and the curtain drew up amid
the hushed voices of the company and the restrained clatter of
their knives and forks and glasses.
The Polish lady sang "Cherry Ripe" to the infinite
satisfaction of her audience. Young Mowbray indeed, in the
shape of Dandy Mick and some of his followers and admirers,
insisted on an encore. The lady as she retired curtseyed like
a Prima Donna; but the host continued on his legs for some
time, throwing open his coat and bowing to his guests, who
expressed by their applause how much they approved his
enterprise. At length he resumed his seat; "It's almost too
much." he exclaimed; "the enthusiasm of these people. I
believe they look upon me as a father."
"And you think you have some clue to this Hatton?" resumed
Stephen.
"They say he has no relations," said their host.
"I have heard as much."
"Another glass of the bar mixture, Master Gerard. What did we
call it? Oh! the bricks and beans--the Mowbray bricks and
beans; known by that name in the time of my grandfather.
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