And here was a whipper-
snapper Lord Chamberlain telling him that the Cabinet would grant him
half-an-hour! He managed to console himself, however, with the
thought that matters would not always be as they were at present.
There would be a decided change of tune later on.
It would be folly to undertake the depiction of Mr. Blithers' first
impressions of the Castle and its glories, both inside out. To begin
with, he lost no small amount of his assurance when he discovered
that the great gates in the wall surrounding the park were guarded by
resplendent dragoons who politely demanded his "pass." After the
officer in charge had inspected the Lord Chamberlain's card as if he
had never seen one before, he ceremoniously indicated to a warden
that the gates were to be opened. There was a great clanking of
chains, the drawing of iron bolts, the whirl of a windlass, and the
ponderous gates swung slowly ajar.
Mr. Blithers caught his breath--and from that instant until he found
himself crossing the great hall in the wake of an attendant delegated
to conduct him to the council chamber his sensations are not to be
described.
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