The chance of being
invited to dine there seemed to dwindle as well. While he sat and
waited in the first antechamber he even experienced strange
misgivings in respect to parental privileges later on.
After what appeared to him to be an interminable length of time, but
in reality no more than a few seconds, a tall man arose from his seat
and advanced with outstretched hand. Mr. Blithers recognised Count
Quinnox, the Minister of War. He shook that friendly hand with a
fervour that must have surprised the Count. Never in all his life had
he been so glad to see any one.
"How are you, my lord," said the king of finance, fairly meek with
gratefulness.
"Excellently well, Mr. Blithers," returned the Count. "And you?"
"Never better, never better," said Mr. Blithers, again pumping the
Count's hand up and down--with even greater heartiness than before.
"Glad to see you. Isn't it a pleasant day? I was telling Mrs.
Blithers this morning that I'd never seen a pleasanter day. We--"
"Let me introduce you to my colleagues, Mr. Blithers," interrupted
the Count.
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