For what seemed a long time he sat thus, motionless and almost
without signs of life, while the two stood side by side before him. Mary
glanced once at Beaumaroy; his lips were apart in that half humorous,
half compassionate smile; there was no hint of impatience in his bearing.
At last Mr. Saffron opened his eyes, and saw them; there was intelligence
in his look, though his body did not move. Mary was conscious of a low
bow from Beaumaroy; she remembered the caution he had given her, and
herself made a deep curtsey; the old man made a slight inclination of his
handsome white head. Then, after another long pause, a movement passed
over his body--excepting his left arm. She saw that he was trying to rise
from his seat, but that he had barely the strength to achieve his
purpose. But he persisted in his effort, and in the end rose slowly and
tremulously to his feet.
Then, utterly without warning, in a sudden and shocking burst of that
high, voluble, metallic speech which Captain Alec had heard through the
ceiling of the parlor, he began to address them, if indeed it were they
whom he addressed, and not some phantom audience of Princes, Marshals,
Admirals, or trembling sheep-like re emits.
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