Fiction > Book editions > London, 1889 - Master of Ballantrae

SUMMAIJY OF EVENTS. 35
old lord lay back in his seat. Mrs. Henry sprang up
standing- with a mechanical motion^ and she and her
husband stared at each other^s eyes across the room; it
was the strangest, challenging- look these two exchanged,
and as they looked, the colour faded in their faces.
Then Mr. Henry turned to me ; not to speak, only to
sign with his finger ; but that was enougli, and I went
down again for the Colonel.
When we returned, these three were in much the
same position I had left them in ; I believe no word
had passed.
" My Lord Duvrisdeer, no doubt P''^ says the Colonel,
bowing, and my lord bowed in answer. " And this,^^
continues the Colonel, " should be the Master of
Ballantrae ? "
" I have never taken that name,'^ said Mr. Henry;
" but I am Henry Durie, at yovir service.''^
Then the Colonel turns to ]\Irs. Henry, bowing with
his hat ujwn his heart and the most killing airs of
gallantry. " There can be no mistake about so fine a
figure of a lady,^' says he. " I address the seductive
Miss Alison, of whom I have so often heard ? "
Once more husband and wife exchanged a look.
" I am Mrs. Henry Durie," said she ; '^ but before
my marriage my name was Alison Graeme."
Then my lord spoke up. " I am an old man, Colonel
Burke," said he, " and a frail one. It will be mercy on
your part to be expeditious. Do you bring me news
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