Fortunately for
Madonna, Zack (who ever since he had cut the picture down had been
assailed by an incessant fire of questions about his strange friend,
from dozens of inquisitive gentlemen) happened to look towards her,
over the ladies' heads, and came directly to explain the danger from
which "Columbus" had escaped. She tried hard to get away, and bear the
intelligence to Mrs. Blyth; but Lady Brambledown, feeling amiably
unwilling to resign her too soon, pitched on the poor engraver standing
tremulous in the passage, as being quite clever enough to carry a
message up-stairs, and sent him off to take the latest news from the
studio to his daughter immediately.
Thus it was that when Mr. Blyth left Zack's friend to see what was
going on near the door, he found Madonna in the painting-room,
surrounded by sympathizing and admiring ladies. The first words of
explanation by which Lady Brambledown answered his mute look of
inquiry, reminded him of the anxiety and alarm that his wife must have
suffered; and he ran up-stairs directly, promising to be back again in
a minute or two.
Mat carelessly followed Valentine to the group at the
doorway--carelessly looked over some ladies' bonnets--and saw Madonna,
offering her slate to the Dowager Countess at that moment.
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