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the sign of a high class of service, and indicated attendance on a very
great lady.
The lackey is part of the lord, and it was impossible not to remark, in
the shadow of his mistress, the train-bearing page. Memory often takes
notes unconsciously; and, without Gwynplaine's suspecting it, the round
cheeks, the serious mien, the embroidered and plumed cap of the lady's
page left some trace on his mind. The page, however, did nothing to call
attention to himself. To do so is to be wanting in respect. He held
himself aloof and passive at the back of the box, retiring as far as the
closed door permitted.
Notwithstanding the presence of her train-bearer, the lady was not the
less alone in the compartment, since a valet counts for nothing.
However powerful a diversion had been produced by this person, who
produced the effect of a personage, the dénouement of "Chaos
Vanquished" was more powerful still. The impression which it made was,
as usual, irresistible. Perhaps, even, there occurred in the hall, on
account of the radiant spectator (for sometimes the spectator is part of
the spectacle), an increase of electricity. The contagion of
Gwynplaine's laugh was more triumphant than ever. The whole audience
fell into an indescribable epilepsy of hilarity, through which could be
distinguished the sonorous and magisterial ha! ha! of Tom-Jim-Jack.
Only the unknown lady looked at the performance with the immobility of a
statue, and with her eyes, like those of a phantom, she laughed not. A
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