Anthony Hope

Dolly Dialogues - Original Edition Anthony Hope

Upon this-and I have really never been so pleased at anything in all my life-the Countess, the violence of her emotions penetrating to her very fingers, gripped the handle of her "starers" with such force that she broke it in two! She was a woman of the world, and in a moment she looked as if nothing had happened. With me it was different; and that I am not now on Lady Mickleham's visiting list is due to (inter alia et enormia) the fact that I laughed! It was out before I could help it. In a second I was as grave as a mute. The mischief was done. The Countess rose. I imitated her example."You are amused?" said she, and her tones banished the last of my mirth. I stumbled on my hat and it rolled to her feet.