'Does the Princess Egeria propose to dismiss the individual she inspires, when he is growing most sensible of her wisdom?'
'A young Minister of State should be gleaning at large when holiday is granted him.'
Dacier coloured. 'May I presume on what is currently reported?'
'Parts, parts; a bit here, a bit there,' she rejoined. 'Authors find their models where they can, and generally hit on the nearest.'
'Happy the nearest!'
'If you run to interjections I shall cite you a sentence, from your latest speech in the House.'
He asked for it, and to school him she consented to flatter with her recollection of his commonest words:
'“Dealing with subjects of this nature emotionally does, not advance us a calculable inch.”'
'I must have said that in relation to hard matter of business.'
'It applies. There is my hostelry, and the spectral form of Danvers, utterly depaysee. Have you spoken to the poor soul? I can never discover the links of her attachment to my service.'