"One favour I want to ask."
"Pray do not ask anything for any man just at present."
"It is not anything for any man."
"Nor for any woman."
"It is for a woman,—but one whom I think you would wish to oblige."
"Who is it?" Then she curtseyed, smiling at him drolly, and put her hand upon her breast. "Something for you! What on earth can you want that I can do for you?"
"Will you do it,—if it be reasonable?"
"If I think it reasonable, I certainly will do it."
Then her manner changed altogether, and she became serious and almost solemn. "If, as I suppose, all the great places about her Majesty be changed, I should like to be Mistress of the Robes."
"You!" said he, almost startled out of his usual quiet demeanour.