o be treated as such. But how would that be?
Of the etiquette of courts Russell had no knowledge whatever. From
French novels which he had read he had a vague idea that people said
"Sire" when addressing majesty, and got on their knees to kiss royal
hands when first introduced. But farther than this our good Russell's
knowledge did not lead him, nor was his imagination able to convey
him. He could only conjecture in the vaguest possible way, and wait
as patiently as possible for the hour of the momentous interview.
The appointed time arrived. He was waited on by six men: all were
armed. Russell felt an involuntary trepidation at this sight, which
reminded him of events, in his reading, where armed men came in this
way to lead some wretched prisoner off to execution. However, he
succeeded in plucking up his courage sufficiently to follow them. His
own attire, certainly, did not a little toward inspiring him with
fortitude, and the brilliant uniform of a general officer with golden
epaulettes, gold stripes, gold buttons, gold lace, gold hatband, gold
collar, gorgeous hat, resplendent feathers, and rattling, clanking
sword, all served to stimulate him and rouse him to the heroic mood.
He was led by the men to the grand hall in which he had been before.
Here, around the sides, were gathered a large number of men, all
armed, and, though ill-dressed, still presenting a very impressive
appearance. In the middle of the hall was a table on which a dinner
was spread. All around a hundred torches flared and flamed, and from
them vast clouds of pitchy smoke rolled aloft into the vaulted
ceiling. At one end there was a raised seat, and on that raised seat
there was a figure clothed in a military garb and infolded in a
military cloak. Toward this figure Russell was led.
Now, Russell was so overawed by the wild scene, by the armed men,
and, above all, by the thought of the royal presence and the royal
eye, that he dared not look up, but kept his eyes humbly on the
floor, and in this way advanced. On reaching the aforesaid figure our
Russell fell upon his knees, and seizing the hand of said figure,
proceeded to kiss it with much vigor, when suddenly a familiar voice
sounded in his ears, and looking up, he felt like Lalla Rookh at the
discovery of Feramorz, for he found that this royal personage was
none other than the Carlist chief.
"Rise, me lord," said the well-known voice. "We are glad to recayve
ye in our r'y'l prisince. We
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