Miss Lavinia greeted the lawyer with grave dignity, and said she had
come in, in passing, to consult him about some little matters which
she wished him to arrange for her; and trusted that she found him
disengaged.
This was said with so much dignity, that Mr. Rushton could not scowl,
and so he invited Miss Lavinia to enter his sanctum, politely leading
the way.
The lady sailed after him--and the door closed.
No sooner had she disappeared, than Mr. Roundjacket seized his
ruler, for a moment abandoned, and proceeded to execute innumerable
flourishes toward the adjoining room, for what precise purpose does
not very accurately appear. In the middle of this ceremony, however,
and just as his reflections were about to shape themselves into words,
the front door opened, and Verty made his appearance, joyful and
smiling.
In his hand Verty carried his old battered violin; at his heels
stalked the grave and dignified Longears.
"Good morning, Mr. Roundjacket," said Verty, smiling; "how do you do
to-day?"
"Moderate, moderate, young man," said the gentleman addressed; "you
seem, however, to be at the summit of human felicity.
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