“Very rich indeed.”
“To whom did he leave his fortune?”
“Oh, to his favourite pet, Madame Ude. She is still alive, and lives in the same house in Albemarle-street.”
“Really, I did not know that!”
“My lord, and gentlemen, I wish you good evening, and thank you for your kindness.”
“You must take some refreshment, Soyer, before you go. Order what you want. Steward, wait upon Monsieur Soyer.”
They then all went out, and sat upon the door-steps, smoking their cigars. Lord Raglan was that night in a very jovial mood: Colonel Steele observed to me, “Did you ever know or see a finer man for his age? Is he not still full of life and vigour, and the picture of an English nobleman?”
“He is, indeed; and I always notice that he has plenty of fun and jokes.”
“That is true; but more so with you, as you are not a military man. He is very strict on duty.”
As I was taking some refreshment, Lord Raglan came to me, and said, “Monsieur Soyer, I wish you would give my cook, Armand, the receipt to make that excellent French pot-au-feu you gave me when I saw you at the Reform Club.”