"Hoity-toity," said the waiter, and he left off throwing the
sand.
"Well, what's the matter now?" said one of the guests.
"I wish to see the master of the house on business of
urgency," said Sybil, "to himself and to one of his friends,
and his servant here will not even reply to my inquiries."
"I say, Saul, why don't you answer the young lady?" said
another guest.
"So I did," said Saul. "Did you call for coffee, Ma'am?"
"Here's Mr Tanner, if you want him, my dear." said the first
guest, as a lean black-looking individual, with grizzled hair
and a red nose, entered the coffee-room from the interior.
"Tanner, here's a lady wants you."
"And a very pretty girl too," whispered one to another.
"What's your pleasure?" said Mr Tanner abruptly.
"I wish to speak to you alone," said Sybil: and advancing
towards him she said in a low voice, "'Tis about Walter Gerard
I would speak to you."
"Well, you can step in here if you like," said Tanner very
discourteously; "there's only my wife:" and he led the way to
the inner room, a small close parlour adorned with portraits
of Tom Paine, Cobbett, Thistlewood, and General Jackson; with
a fire, though it was a hot July, and a very fat woman
affording still more heat, and who was drinking shrub and
water and reading the police reports.
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