"I think, sir, that madam never would permit it. 'Twould be a most highly improper thing."
"Nonsense—nonsense. If you were my own maid, you should certainly do it. I'll manage. Trust me—that is, if you care for it. Are you indifferent?"
Deborah was silent for a long moment. Then she sighed. "I'm not indifferent. And—and I'd dearly like to see a gentleman from Court—even though it were only from the French Court."
"Only the French Court! Why, child, 'tis the greatest in the world—for courtiers and gayety. What more would you have?"
Deborah had no time to make answer, for at that moment one of the house-slaves came to the open door of the still-room.
"Beg pa'don, Mist' Cawlve't sen't' say the ho'ses a'e ready, an' does doctah want dinne' at Mist' King's, o' is he goin' eat Miss Deb's dis—dis—something I done fo'got what."
Carroll laughed. "Troth, Debby, Mistress Lucy must have been less entertaining than usual this morning. I must go, I suppose.—Can you finish this alone? You seem to know all the processes."
"Yes, I can finish it in an hour, if madam lets me stay here."
"I'll try to see that she does. Will you bring the aconitum to-morrow, then?"
"Yes." Deborah smiled and courtesied.