Visits and Sketches at Home and Abroad with Tales and Miscellanies Now First Collected - LightNovelsOnl.com
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_Re-enter JUSTINE, holding a purse in her hand._
d.i.c.k--(_bowing._)
Much obliged, my lady; I hopes to give satisfaction, but (_looking with admiration at LADY AMARANTHE's foot as it rests on the footstool_) such a pretty, little, delicate, beautiful foot as yon, I never fitted in all my born days. It can't cost your ladys.h.i.+p much in shoe leather, I guess?
LADY AMARANTHE--(_smiling complacently._)
Rather more than you would imagine, I fancy, my good friend.
JUSTINE.
Comment donc--ce Monsieur d.i.c.k, fait aussi des complimens a Madame? Il ne manque pas de gout,--(_aside_) et il sait ce qu'il fait, apparemment.
LADY AMARANTHE--(_glancing at her foot._)
C'est a dire--il a du bon sens, et ne parle pas mal. (_She takes the purse._) As you so civilly obliged me, you must allow me to make you some return.
d.i.c.k--(_putting his hand behind him._)
Me, ma'am! I'm sure I don't want to be paid for being civil.
LADY AMARANTHE.
But as I have deprived you of a pleasure, my good friend, some amends surely--
d.i.c.k.
Oh, ma'am, pray don't mention it; my wife's a little tired and sleepy sometimes of a morning, and if I didn't sing her out of bed, I do think she would, by chance, snooze away till six o'clock, like any d.u.c.h.ess; but a pinch or a shake or a kiss will do as well, may be: and (_earnestly_) she's, for all that, the best woman in the world.
LADY AMARANTHE--(_smiling._)
I can believe it, though she _does_ sleep till six o'clock like a d.u.c.h.ess. Well, my good friend, there are five guineas in this purse; the purse is my own work; and I request you will present it to your wife from me, with many thanks for your civility.
d.i.c.k--(_confused._)
Much obliged, much obliged, but I can't, I can't indeed, my lady. Five guineas! O Lord! I should never know what to do with such a power of money.
LADY AMARANTHE.
Your wife will not say the same, depend upon it; she will find some use for it.
d.i.c.k.
My Meg, poor woman! she never had so much money in all her life.
LADY AMARANTHE.
I must insist upon it; you will offend me.
JUSTINE--(_taking the purse out of her lady's hand, and forcing it upon d.i.c.k._)
Dieux! est-il bete!--you no understand?--It is de gold and de silver money (_laughing._) Comme il a l'air ebahi!
d.i.c.k--(_putting up the money._)
Many thanks, and I pray G.o.d bless your ladys.h.i.+p!
LADY AMARANTHE--(_gaily._)
Good morning, Mr. d.i.c.k. Remember me to your wife.
d.i.c.k.
I will, my lady. I wish your ladys.h.i.+p, and you, miss, a good morning.
(_To himself._) Five guineas!--what will Meg say?--Now I'll be a master shoemaker. (_Going out in an ecstasy, he knocks his head against the wall._)
LADY AMARANTHE.
Take care, friend. Montrez-lui la porte, Justine!
JUSTINE.
Mais venez donc, Monsieur d.i.c.k--par ici--et n'allez pas donner le nez contre la porte!
[_d.i.c.k follows JUSTINE out of the door, after making several bows._
LADY AMARANTHE.
Poor man!--well, he's silenced--he does not look as if he would sing, morning or night, for the next twelve months.
_Re-enter JUSTINE._
JUSTINE.
Voici Madame Mincetaille, qui vient pour essayer la robe-de-bal de madame.
LADY AMARANTHE.
Ah! allons donc.
[_They go out._
_The SCENE changes to the Cobbler's Garret._
_Enter MARGERY, in haste; a basket in her hand. She looks about her._
MARGERY.
