“It expired on Wednesday last, and I want it renewed for two months.”
“Of course, if we send you on this mission, you 'll not want the leave. I had something else to say. What was it?”
“I have not the very vaguest idea.”
“Oh! I remember. It was to recommend you not to take your wife from the stage. There's a strong prejudice in a certain quarter as to that—in fact, I may say it couldn't be got over.”
“I may relieve you of any apprehensions on that score. Indeed, I don't know what fact in my life should expose me to the mere suspicion.”
“Nothing, nothing—except that impulsive generosity of your disposition, which might lead you to do what other men would stop short to count the cost of.”
“It would never lead me to derogate, my Lord,” said he, proudly, as he took his hat, and bowing haughtily left the room.
“The greatest ass in the whole career, and the word is a bold one,” said the Minister, as the door closed. “Meanwhile, I must send in his name for this mission, which he is fully equal to. What a happy arrangement it is, that in an age when our flunkies aspire to be gentlemen, there are gentlemen who ask nothing better than to be flunkies!”