Thus Sir John was presently ushered upstairs and into the presence of a tall, handsome creature, magnificently attired, who acknowledged his profound obeisance with a curt nod, and thereafter stared at him from head to foot and sniffed.
“Madam,” quoth he, a little startled, “I come to reassure you as to the welfare of Viscount Templemore.”
The lady stared haughtily at his dusty boots. “I am happy to tell you,” continued Sir John, “that the meeting will not take place——” The lady, tilting dimpled chin, stared fixedly at the topmost curls of Sir John’s peruke. “If, therefore,” he proceeded, “you contemplate returning immediately to England, my friend and I shall be honoured to escort you.”
The lady shook her handsome head, shrugged her dimpled shoulders and sniffed louder than ever, so much so that Sir John retreated somewhat precipitately.
“Tush, sir, fie and no!” she exclaimed. “I’m minded to go to Paris an’ to Paris I’ll go!”
Sir John opened his eyes a little wider than usual and bowed himself out forthwith.
“O my lady,” cried Betty so soon as the door had closed, “O mem, did I do it right?”
“’Twas admirable, Bet! Didst see him blench and flush? You dear, clever creature! There is that taffety gown—’tis thine, child—aye, and the neck-chain with the pearl pendant! He flushed—he blenched! Come kiss me, Betty!”