‘She should be flattered by M. le Baron’s slightest recollection,’ said the lady, with an ironical tone that there was no time to analyze, and with a mutual gesture of courtesy he followed Sidney to where Sir Francis awaited them.
‘Well, what think you of the French court?’ asked Sidney, so soon as the young men were in private.
‘I only know that you may bless your good fortune that you stand in no danger from a wife from thence.’
‘Ha!’ cried Sidney, laughing, ‘you found your lawful owner. Why did you not present me?’
‘I was ashamed of her bold visage.’
‘What!—was she the beauteous demoiselle I found you gallanting,’ said Philip Sidney, a good deal entertained, ‘who was gazing at you with such visible admiration in her languishing black eyes?’
‘The foul fiend seize their impudence!’
‘Fie! for shame! thus to speak of your own wife,’ said the mischievous Sidney, ‘and the fairest——’
‘Go to, Sidney. Were she fairer than Venus, with a kingdom to her dower, I would none of a woman without a blush.’
‘What, in converse with her wedded husband,’ said Sidney. ‘Were not that over-shamefastness?’