“Very good, Soyer! I shall give orders to that effect, and furnish you with letters of introduction to every department.”
“Now, I hope you will do me the honour of accepting my services as I offered them, through the medium of the public press; such acceptance on the part of your lordship will, I can assure you, much facilitate the progress of my undertaking.”
“I understand your meaning, Mr. Soyer; but I must make some arrangement for your expenses.”
“Those, of course, I shall accept, or I should be giving offence to your lordship as well as the Government; more especially as I am, after visiting Scutari, to proceed to the Crimea.”
“Well, tell me when you can start,—the mail leaves at noon to-morrow.”
“I should be most happy to leave to-morrow, but previous to my departure for so long and unexpected a journey, I have some important private affairs to settle; it will therefore be impossible.”
“Ah, truly! then I leave it to you, Soyer; but the sooner you go the better.”
“Your lordship may depend upon my anxiety and promptitude; not a day, or even a minute shall be lost.”
“Fare you well, Soyer; come and see me before your departure.”
“Of course I will; but, begging your pardon, to whom shall I address myself for any further information I may require?”