`` I 've a better plan ; these waiters are so stupid you 'll get nothing out of them . Here 's the hotel book sent up for our names ; let us look among the day 's arrivals and see who 'S . P. ' is . He came to-day , I 'm sure , for the man said the rooms above were just taken , so we could not have them . '' Opening the big book , Amy was soon intently poring over the long list of names , written in many hands and many languages . `` I 've got it ! Here he is -- oh , Nell , he 's a baron ! Is n't that charming ? ` Sigismund von Palsdorf , Dresden . ' We must see him , for I know he 's handsome , if he wears such distracting gloves . '' `` You 'd better take them up yourself , then . '' `` You know I ca n't do that ; but I shall ask the man a few questions , just to get an idea what sort of person the baron is . Then I shall change my mind and go down to dinner ; shall look well about me , and if the baron is agreeable I shall make uncle return the gloves . He will thank us , and I can say I 've known a real baron . That will be so nice when we go home . Now , do n't be duennaish and say I 'm silly , but let me do as I like , and come and dress . '' Helen submitted , and when the gong pealed through the house , Major Erskine marched into the great salle à manger , with a comely niece on each arm . The long tables were crowded , and they had to run the gauntlet of many eyes as they made their way to the head of the upper table . Before she touched her soup , Amy glanced down the line of faces opposite , and finding none that answered the slight description elicited from the waiter , she leaned a little forward to examine those on her own side of the table . Some way down sat several gentlemen , and as she bent to observe them , one did the same , and she received an admiring glance from a pair of fine black eyes .
Somewhat abashed , she busied herself with her soup : but the fancy had taken possession of her , and presently she whispered to XXXXX , -- `` Do you see any signs of the baron ? ''
Amy Dresden Erskine Helen Nell Palsdorf gong pair questions table