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Despite Dragon’s brooding expression, he cut a fine figure in for clothes, which had been purchased and altered with lightning speed at Winterborne’s It had been agreed that he would accompany Pandora and Gabriel inside the Guildhall and attract far less notice if he were dressed like the otherto worry about," Pandora said with a confidence she didn’t entirely feel "We’ll stroll into the Guildhall, I’ll point out the o back hoon kept silent, but his expression was one of coreement

"As Mr Ransom remarked," Pandora told Gabriel, "I’ll be ht And Mr Ransoree to let you have five h heaven knohy you would want to talk to such a dreadful ," Gabriel said curtly

They crossed a paved limestone courtyard to the nificent stone civic hall built in the fifteenth century Recent restorations had lent it the grace of Gothic spirit and detail, but it possessed a fanciful mixture of styles and ornamentation The Guildhall was used for allbanquets and annual public s hosted by the Lord Mayor, and balls and receptions for royalty

An enorinto the entrance of the south porch

Pandora regarded the gathering with auests here"

"Closer to three thousand," Gabriel said "Das into you"

She clung to his arm "I’ll stay close to you"

In another ant in evening clothes Pandora stared at hi familiar about him The way he walked, the shape of his head "How odd," she murmured

"What is it?" Gabriel asked

"I just had the sensation that I’ve experienced this beforeas if I’ that’s already happened" She made a face "Dr Gibson warned one amnesia"

Ranso You’re a vision, my lady"

She smiled and curtsied "Mr Ransom"

As they proceeded toward the entrance, Gabriel asked, "Shouldn’t there be more uniformed officers for a crowd this size? So far I’ve only seen two"

"There should," Ransom said sardonically "A spectacular lack of police presence, isn’t it?" Glancing at the rows of uard officers, he coold braid, epaulets, medals, and shiny breast plates If the anarchists attack, we can blind them with our sparkly decorations"

They entered the Guildhall and proceeded down a long, wide corridor that opened to the towering great hall It was a breathtaking space, with a lofty oak roof coant wall panels shaped like Gothic s A temporary wooden floor had been built over the stone floor for the event, to give the hall the appearance of an ancient baronial ht bays, with an orchestra playing at the west end, and a huge dais at the easternmost end Imitation marble columns forreen cloth and an acre’s worth of flowers spread lavishly all around it A pair of heavy golden state chairs had been positioned at the front of the dais

Pandora’s uncertain gaze moved over the crowd The hall was packed full of people, within Even if the man from the warehouse was here, hoas she supposed to see hi couples whirled in tihing, chatting groups The high-pitched tone began in her ear, and she lifted a hand to tap it away

Gabriel escorted her along the side of the hall "Try to look at the rooood ear

They e pleasantries with acquaintances Gabriel introduced her to what seemed like a hundred people Gabriel possessed an i to ask after soress of an elderly gentleman’s written ly, was Pandora’s experience at the Hayo The assault, which was assu, was pronounced shocking and aboreat deal of sy so much attention made Pandora feel unco s liding and darting everywhere The Mockingbird Waltz The Fairy Wedding Waltz, the Evening Echoes Waltz Another tune began, and after the first few strains, she and Gabriel glanced at each other as they recognized "Sally In Our Alley" played in waltz tih

Just over Gabriel’s shoulder, at the eastern end of the Great Hall, Pandora caught a glimpse of a man with pale straw-colored hair, and her amusement vanished Startled, she drew closer to Gabriel, half-hiding behind hinized the broad, square face, the bunched chin, the pale complexion