"
He finished and took his snuff with zest, seeing that it was still
rappee, and handed me the box with great composure.
In all they talked and wrangled for three hours, and I got very tired of
it all and spent my time looking through the window for Margaret. There
would be no profit in setting down more of what was said. Indeed, no fresh
point was raised until the Prince argued vehemently in favour of turning
off for Wales, where his adherents were supposed to be very strong.
This produced a fresh crop of speeches, all on one note--the necessity of
starting back for Scotland.
The Duke of Perth had been silent so far. He had stood on the hearth,
near the fire, the warmth of which he stood greatly in need of, being
slight and weakly. He had turned his eyes from one speaker to another as
the debate went on, and had gently rubbed the back of his head against the
panelling, as if to stimulate thought. The speech of Colonel Waynflete
plainly had a great effect on him, and I could see that he was making up
his mind, for he continued the gentle rubbing of his head but took no note
of the wrangling and jangling about the Welsh project.
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