"Happy, I'm sure," mumbled Mr. Blithers. To save his life, he
couldn't tell what had got into him. He had never acted like this
before.
The Count was mentioning the names of dukes, counts and barons, and
Mr. Blithers was bowing profoundly to each in turn. No one offered to
shake hands with him, although each rose politely, even graciously.
They even smiled. He remembered that very well afterwards. They
smiled kindly, almost benignly. He suddenly realised what had got
into him. It was respect.
"A chair, Franz," said the white haired, gaunt man who was called
Baron Romano. "Will you sit here, Mr. Blithers? Pray forgive our
delay in admitting you. We were engaged in a rather serious
discussion over--"
"Oh, that's all right," said Mr. Blithers, magnanimously. "Am I
interfering with any important business, gent--my lords? If so, just--
"
"Not at all, Mr. Blithers. Pray be seated."
"Sure I'm not taking any one's seat?"
"A secretary's, sir. He can readily find another."
Mr. Blithers sat down. He was rather pleased to find that the big
chair was not meant for him.
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