[Catherine: A Story by William Makepeace Thackeray]@TWC D-Link book
Catherine: A Story

CHAPTER I
20/29

He turned to look at Catherine, to be sure, and then he was not quite so calm: but Catherine did not give any reply to his good-night.

She was seated at the Captain's table playing at cribbage with him; and though Count Gustavus Maximilian lost every game, he won more than he lost,--sly fellow!--and Mrs.Catherine was no match for him.
It is to be presumed that Hayes gave some information to Mrs.Score, the landlady: for, on leaving the kitchen, he was seen to linger for a moment in the bar; and very soon after Mrs.Catherine was called away from her attendance on the Count, who, when he asked for a sack and toast, was furnished with those articles by the landlady herself: and, during the half-hour in which he was employed in consuming this drink, Monsieur de Galgenstein looked very much disturbed and out of humour, and cast his eyes to the door perpetually; but no Catherine came.

At last, very sulkily, he desired to be shown to bed, and walked as well as he could (for, to say truth, the noble Count was by this time somewhat unsteady on his legs) to his chamber.

It was Mrs.Score who showed him to it, and closed the curtains, and pointed triumphantly to the whiteness of the sheets.
"It's a very comfortable room," said she, "though not the best in the house; which belong of right to your Lordship's worship; but our best room has two beds, and Mr.Corporal is in that, locked and double-locked, with his three tipsy recruits.

But your honour will find this here bed comfortable and well-aired; I've slept in it myself this eighteen years." "What, my good woman, you are going to sit up, eh?
It's cruel hard on you, madam." "Sit up, my Lord?
bless you, no! I shall have half of our Cat's bed; as I always do when there's company." And with this Mrs.Score curtseyed and retired.
Very early the next morning the active landlady and her bustling attendant had prepared the ale and bacon for the Corporal and his three converts, and had set a nice white cloth for the Captain's breakfast.
The young blacksmith did not eat with much satisfaction; but Mr.Bullock and his friend betrayed no sign of discontent, except such as may be consequent upon an evening's carouse.


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