“By Jove! Sir, if this system of expense be carried on, I suspect that some of ourselves will be just as devoid of feathers. That gimcrack cost, I should say, seven or eight hundred pounds?”
“You have guessed too low! It will, when finished—for the frescos are not completed—amount to very close on two thousand.”
“For linnets and piping bullfinches!”
“Pardon me, Sir; for nothing of the kind. For the blue sparrows of Java, for the crimson owl of Ceylon, for the azure-winged mocking-bird, and the scarlet bustard.”
“Let us see what the Master will say to this fine catalogue, when it is presented to him as part of works of permanent value—that’s the phrase, Sir, permanent and substantial improvements—which scarcely contemplated cockatoos and canaries. And what do I see yonder? Is that the Lord Mayor’s state barge, that you have bought in at second hand?”
“That is a little gondola—a caprice of my ward’s, Sir, and not to be questioned in any way.”
It was the first time since they met that any allusion to Kate had been dropped between them, and already the old envoy’s voice showed by its vibration that the theme was one not to be lightly adverted to.
“The young lady’s tastes, it would seem, incline to splendour, but possibly her fortune warrants it.”
“I am certain that her tastes befit her condition,” said the other, with a tone of open defiance.
“I have no doubt of it, not the least doubt of it; I would only observe, that a person so very attractive——”