'Whatever, madam, it is in my power to do for
you, that shall be done with pleasure. As soon as my chaise shall
overtake us, it is yours to carry you where you will. But,' added
he, reverting to his former manner, 'I observe you ask me nothing of
the Palace.'
'I do not care,' she said. 'I thought I saw it burning.'
'Prodigious!' said the Baronet. 'You thought? And can the loss of
forty toilettes leave you cold? Well, madam, I admire your
fortitude. And the state, too? As I left, the government was
sitting, - the new government, of which at least two members must be
known to you by name: Sabra, who had, I believe, the benefit of
being formed in your employment - a footman, am I right? - and our
old friend the Chancellor, in something of a subaltern position.
But in these convulsions the last shall be first, and the first
last.'
'Sir John,' she said, with an air of perfect honesty, 'I am sure you
mean most kindly, but these matters have no interest for me.'
The Baronet was so utterly discountenanced that he hailed the
appearance of his chaise with welcome, and, by way of saying
something, proposed that they should walk back to meet it. So it
was done; and he helped her in with courtesy, mounted to her side,
and from various receptacles (for the chaise was most completely
fitted out) produced fruits and truffled liver, beautiful white
bread, and a bottle of delicate wine.
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