His large brown eyes, like those of a faithful dog, followed every
movement of Lotys with anxious and wistful affection, and Leroy,
noticing this, began to wonder whether she was his wife or daughter?
Or was she related in either of these ways to Sergius Thord? His
reflections were interrupted by a slight touch from Max Graub who was
seated next to him.
"Will you drink with these fellows?" said Graub, in a cautious whisper
--"Expect to be ill, if you do!"
"You shall prescribe for me!" answered Leroy in the same low tone--"I
faithfully promise to call in your assistance! But drink with them I
must, and will!"
Graub gave a short sigh and a shrug, and said no more. The hunchback
was going the round of the table, filling tall glasses with light
Bavarian beer.
"Where is the little Pequita?" asked Zouche, addressing him--"Have you
sent her to bed already, Sholto?"
Sholto looked timorously round till he met the bright reassuring glance
of Lotys, and then he replied hesitatingly--
"Yes!--no--I have not sent the little one to bed;--she returned from
her work at the theatre, tired out--quite tired out, poor child! She
is asleep now."
"Ha ha! A few years more, and she will not sleep!" said Zouche--"Once
in her teens--"
"Once in her teens, she leaves the theatre and comes to me," said
Lotys, "And you will see very little of her, Zouche, and you will know
less! That will do, Sholto! Good-night!"
"Good-night!" returned the hunchback--"I thank you, Madame!--I thank
you, gentlemen!"
And with a slight salutation, not devoid of grace, he left the room.
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