He however disdained to speak, or to give any other
evidence of his intentions than by calling to his side the distant
band, who sprang forward at his beck, with the alacrity of willing
subordinates.
In the mean time the friends of the old man continued to advance.
Middleton himself was foremost, supporting the light and aerial
looking figure of Inez, on whose anxious countenance he cast such
occasional glances of tender interest as, in similar circumstances, a
father would have given to his child. Paul led Ellen, close in their
rear. But while the eye of the bee-hunter did not neglect his blooming
companion, it scowled angrily, resembling more the aspect of the
sullen and retreating bear than the soft intelligence of a favoured
suitor. Obed and Asinus came last, the former leading his companion
with a degree of fondness that could hardly be said to be exceeded by
any other of the party. The approach of the naturalist was far less
rapid than that of those who preceded him. His feet seemed equally
reluctant to advance, or to remain stationary; his position bearing a
great analogy to that of Mahomet's coffin, with the exception that the
quality of repulsion rather than that of attraction held him in a
state of rest.
Pages:
441
442
443
444
445
446
447
448
449
450
451
452
453
454
455
456
457
458
459
460
461
462
463
464
465