"And I—I am annoyed at the way in which you have been treated. You have, without doubt, fine friends in Athens?"
"I know the English Minister."
"Oh! Madame! You also know some merchants, some bankers?"
"My brother, who is at Athens, knows many bankers in the city."
"I am delighted. Sophocles, come here. Ask pardon of these ladies."
Sophocles muttered some words between his teeth, I know not what excuses. The King replied:
"These ladies are Englishwomen of distinction; they are worth a million or more; they have been received by the English Ambassador; their brother, who is in Athens, knows all the bankers in the city."
"That is right!" cried Mrs. Simons. The King continued:
"Thou shouldst have treated these ladies with all the regard due their fortune."
"Good!" Mrs. Simons cried.