The quote describes a character who is rushing quickly and appears to be preoccupied, mentioning someone called the Duchess. His hurried manner suggests urgency or excitement as he approaches, emphasizing his focus on the Duchess.
This scene is from Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, where the whimsical and erratic nature of the characters is highlighted through such vivid descriptions. The character's hurried muttering adds to the fantastical and unpredictable atmosphere of the story.