After a good deal of pushing and shoving, the ladies were safely
deposited on one of the front benches; while Mr. Turner, who was one
of the managing committee, seated himself on one of the chairs; and
Mr. Augustus Mills stood at the table.
Elizabeth felt as if the crimson flush called up by vexation and
embarrassment, together with her hasty walk, would never leave her
cheeks; she held her head down till Katherine touched her to make her
look up, and trusting that her bonnet would screen her heightened
colour from observation, she obeyed the sign. A flaring gas-light
hung opposite to her; and as she raised her face she encountered the
gaze of Mr. Higgins, the Radical and Dissenting editor of a newspaper
which had several times abused Mr. Woodbourne. The moment he caught
her eye, he bowed with something of a triumphant air; and she, doubly
ashamed of herself and provoked with him, bent her head so low that
he might well imagine that she returned the bow. She hoped by
looking down to escape all further observation, but unfortunately for
her, Mrs. Turner had taken care to find a conspicuous place for her
party; and Katherine, who had by this time quite forgotten her doubts
and misgivings, was nodding and smiling to everyone, with what she
considered the utmost grace and affability.
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