My visitor was undeniably a lady, and probably considerably above the ordinary rank--very modest, too, judging from the mixture of grace and timidity with which she moved, and at my entreaty sat down. Her dress was, I should suppose, both handsome and fashionable; but it was much concealed by a walking-cloak of green silk, fancifully embroidered; in which, though heavy for the season, her person was enveloped, and which, moreover, was furnished with a hood.
The devil take that hood, Darsie! for I was just able to distinguish that, pulled as it was over the face, it concealed from me, as I was convinced, one of the prettiest countenances I have seen, and which, from a sense of embarrassment, seemed to be crimsoned with a deep blush. I could see her complexion was beautiful--her chin finely turned--her lips coral--and her teeth rivals to ivory. But further the deponent sayeth not; for a clasp of gold, ornamented with it sapphire, closed the envious mantle under the incognita’s throat, and the cursed hood concealed entirely the upper part of the face.
I ought to have spoken first, that is certain; but ere I could get my phrases well arranged, the young lady, rendered desperate I suppose by my hesitation opened the conversation herself.
‘I fear I am an intruder, sir--I expected to meet an elderly gentleman.’
This brought me to myself. ‘My father, madam, perhaps. But you inquired for Alan Fairford--my father’s name is Alexander.’
‘It is Mr. Alan Fairford, undoubtedly, with whom I wished to speak,’ she said, with greater confusion; ‘but I was told that he was advanced in life.’
‘Some mistake, madam, I presume, betwixt my father and myself--our Christian names have the same initials, though the terminations are different. I--I--I would esteem it a most fortunate mistake if I could have the honour of supplying my father’s place in anything that could be of service to you.’
‘You are very obliging, sir,’ A pause, during which she seemed undetermined whether to rise or sit still.
‘I am just about to be called to the bar, madam,’ said I, in hopes to remove her scruples to open her case to me; ‘and if my advice or opinion could be of the slightest use, although I cannot presume to say that they are much to be depended upon, yet’--