Letter K, No.1, Albany. Another member of the
aristocracy, the Honourable Charles Egremont."
"Well, I prefer them, as far as I can judge, to Wriggle, and
Rip, and Thorough Base," said the tall delegate laughing. "I
dare say we should have found Lord Milford a very jolly
fellow, if he had only been up."
"Here we are," said his companion, as he knocked. "Mr
Egremont, is he at home?"
"The gentlemen of the deputation? Yes, my master gave
particular orders that he was at home to you. Will you walk
in, gentlemen?"
"There you see," said the tall delegate. "This would be a
lesson to Thorough Base."
They sat down in an antechamber: the servant opened a mahogany
folding-door which he shut after him and announced to his
master the arrival of the delegates. Egremont was seated in
his library, at a round table covered with writing materials,
books, and letters. On another table were arranged his
parliamentary papers, and piles of blue books. The room was
classically furnished. On the mantelpiece were some ancient
vases, which he had brought with him from Italy, standing on
each side of that picture of Allori of which we have spoken.
The servant returned to the ante-room, and announcing to the
delegates that his master was ready to receive them, ushered
into the presence of Egremont--WALTER GERARD and STEPHEN
MORLEY.
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