“I believe that he is aware of that fact already, madam,” replied Fanny.
“And yet he is in close converse with you? He is the most good-natured man in town,” said Mrs. Thrale. “Does he hope to interest you when your father failed?”
“He has never ceased, to interest me, madam,” said Fanny.
“Then he did not talk about music?”
“Oh, yes; I think he said something about music.”
“Yes, touching a note here and there, as one might in passing a harpsichord. Of course you could not have lived in Dr. Burney's house without being able to understand something of music. But we must not trespass upon Signor Rauzzin's courtesy, Miss Burney. Everyone is talking of him in the drawing-room—he must gratify the company by mingling with them.”
Then she addressed Rauzzini in French.
“I promised to go in search of you, signor,” she said. “Madame Reynolds is distracted. I came on my mission famished—I had vowed, as the crusaders did, not to taste food or drink until I had succeeded in my emprise. May I ask you to have pity on me now and lead me to the tea-table?”
He turned to ask Fanny to accompany them, but he found that she had slipped quietly away. She was already at the door.
“My duty was to Miss Burney, madame, but she has been frightened away,” said he.