off the gunrest and lookedlookgravely at his watcher , gatheringgatherabout his legs the loose folds of his gown .
It was Madame Nilsson 's first appearanceappearancethat winter , and what the daily press had already learned to describe as " an exceptionally brilliant audience " had gatheredgatherto hear her , transportedtransportthrough the slippery , snowy streets in private broughams , in the spacious family landau , or in the humbler but more convenient " Brown coupe . "
I mountedmountinto the window - seat : gatheringgatherup my feet , I satsitcross-legged , like a Turk ; and , having drawndrawthe red moreen curtain nearly close , I was shrined in double retirement .