"But," continued the ancient lady, sweeping him with a quick, approving gaze, "I like your face, and y-e-s, you have a very good leg. You also possess a tongue, perhaps, and can speak?"
"Given the occasion, madam," said Barnabas, smiling.
"Ha, sir! do I talk so much then? Well, perhaps I do, for when a woman ceases to talk she's dead, and I'm very much alive indeed. So you may give me your arm, sir, and listen to me, and drop an occasional remark while I take breath,—your arm, sir!" And here the small, ancient lady held out a small, imperious hand, while her handsome young eyes smiled up into his.
"Madam, you honor me!"
"But I am only an old woman,—with a wig!"
"Age is always honorable, madam."
"Now that is very prettily said, indeed you improve, sir. Do you know who I am?"
"No, madam; but I can guess."
"Ah, well,—you shall talk to me. Now, sir,—begin. Talk to me of
Cleone."
"Madam—I had rather not."