16 - Dinner in the hall of the Bloomsbury Market

Summary

As I spoke, I heard footsteps near the door; the latch yielded, and in came our two lovers, looking so handsome that one had no feeling of shame in looking on at their little-concealed lovemaking; for indeed it seemed as if all the world must be in love with them. As for old Hammond, he looked on them like an artist who has just painted a picture nearly as well as he thought he could when he began it, and was perfectly happy. He said:

‘Sit down, sit down, young folk, and don't make a noise. Our guest here has still some questions to ask me.’

‘Well, I should suppose so,’ said Dick; ‘you have only been three hours and a half together; and it isn't to be hoped that the history of two centuries could be told in three hours and a half: let alone that, for all I know, you may have been wandering into the realms of geography and craftsmanship.’

‘As to noise, my dear kinsman,’ said Clara, ‘you will very soon be disturbed by the noise of the dinner-bell, which I should think will be very pleasant music to our guest, who breakfasted early, it seems, and probably had a tiring day yesterday.’