EGERTON (with perfect composure).—“I am to conclude, then, that you wish to bring our accounts to a close. Whenever you will, Levy.”
THE BARON (disconcerted and surprised).—“Peste! mon cher, you take things coolly. But if our accounts are closed, I fear you will have but little to live upon.”
EGERTON.—“I can continue to live on the salary of a Cabinet Minister.”
BARON.—“Possibly; but you are no longer a Cabinet Minister.”
EGERTON.—“You have never found me deceived—in a political prediction. Within twelve months (should life be spared to me) I shall be in office again. If the same to you, I would rather wait till then formally and amicably to resign to you my lands and this house. If you grant that reprieve, our connection can thus close without the eclat and noise which may be invidious to you, as it would be disagreeable to me. But if that delay be inconvenient, I will appoint a lawyer to examine your accounts, and adjust my liabilities.”
THE BARON (soliloquizing).—“I don’t like this. A lawyer! That may be awkward.”
EGERTON (observing the baron, with a curl on his lip). “Well, Levy, how shall it be?”
THE BARON.—“You know, my dear fellow, it is not my character to be hard on any one, least of all upon an old friend. And if you really think there is a chance of your return to office, which you apprehend that an esclandre as to your affairs at present might damage, why, let us see if we can conciliate matters. But, first, mon cher, in order to become a minister, you must at least have a seat in parliament; and pardon me the question, how the deuce are you to find one?”
EGERTON.—“It is found.”
THE BARON.—“Ah, I forgot the L5,000 you last borrowed.”