From the rumble a lackey swung himself to the rough cobbles of the yard.

From within the inn came again landlady and chamberlain, and from the stable ostler and boy, obsequious all and of no interest to Mr.
Caryll.
Then the door of the coach was opened, the steps were let down, and there emerged--his hand upon the shoulder of the servant--a very ferret of a man in black, with a parson's bands and neckcloth, a coal-black full-bottomed wig, and under this a white face, rather drawn and haggard, and thin lips perpetually agrin to flaunt two rows of yellow teeth disproportionately large.

After him, and the more remarkable by contrast, came a tall, black-faced fellow, very brave in buff-colored cloth, with a fortune in lace at wrist and throat, and a heavily powdered tie-wig.
Lackey, chamberlain and parson attended his alighting, and then he joined their ranks to attend in his turn--hat under arm--the last of these odd travellers.
The interest grew.

Mr.Caryll felt that the climax was about to be presented, and he leaned farther forward that he might obtain a better view of the awaited personage.

In the silence he caught a rustle of silk.