Some time after, contriving to again get near me, she began flirting her fan, and exclaiming, “Well, miss, I have had a beau, I assure you! ay, and a very pretty beau too, though I don't know if his lodgings were so prettily furnished, and everything, as Mr. Smith's."[80]
Then, applying to Mr. Cholmondeley, she said, “Pray, sir, what is become of my lottery ticket?”
“I don't know,” answered he.
“Pardie” cried she, “you don't know nothing.”
I had now again made off, and, after much rambling, I at last seated myself near the card-table: but Mrs. Cholmondeley was after me in a minute, and drew a chair next mine. I now found it impossible to escape, and therefore forced myself to sit still. Lord Palmerston and Sir Joshua, in a few moments, seated themselves by us.
I must now write dialogue-fashion, to avoid the enormous length of Mrs. C.'s name.
Mrs. C.-I have been very ill; monstrous ill indeed or else I should have been at your house long ago. Sir Joshua, pray how do you do? you know, I suppose, that I don't come, to see you?
Sir Joshua could only laugh, though this was her first address to him.
Mrs. C.-Pray, miss, what's your name?
F.B.-Frances, ma'am.