Then Captain Prendergast came
to the rescue.
"You have been abroad for some months, have you not, Mr. Langford?"
he said with the desperation of one who flings himself into the breach.
"I heard you had been to Russia. Surely you have something to tell us
of the state and temper of the country after the war?"
I was heartily grateful to the gallant Skirmisher for this diversion
in my favor. I answered him, I fear, somewhat lamely; but he kept the
conversation up, and presently one or two others joined in, and so the
difficulty, whatever it might have been, was bridged over. Bridged over,
but not repaired. A something, an awkwardness, a visible constraint,
remained. The guests hitherto had been simply dull; but now they were
evidently uncomfortable and embarrassed.
The dessert had scarcely been placed upon the table when the ladies
left the room. I seized the opportunity to select a vacant chair next
Captain Prendergast.
"In Heaven's name," I whispered, "what was the matter just now? What
had I said?"
"You mentioned the name of John Dwerrihouse.
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