Order and what arrangement was
needful were enforced amongst them by Mr. Cook, one of the ushers.
In came the garrison also, with clank and clang, and took their
places with countenances expressive neither of hardihood nor
merriment, but a grave expectancy.
Mostly by the other door came the ladies and officers, amongst them
Dorothy, and seated themselves below the dais. When it seemed at
length that all were present, the two doors were closed, and silence
reigned.
A few minutes more and the ladies and gentlemen of the family, in
full dress, entered by the door at the back of the dais, and were
shown to their places by Mr. Moyle, the first usher. Next came the
marquis, leaning on lord Charles, and walking worse than usual. He
too was, wonderful to tell, in full dress, and, notwithstanding his
corpulency and lameness, looked every inch a marquis and the head of
the house. He placed himself in the great chair, and sat upright,
looking serenely around on the multitude of pale expectant faces,
while lord Charles took his station erect at his left hand.
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