Before I could have told her—if I had meant to tell; which I did not—Lessingham came up.
‘I hope I have not kept you waiting; I have been delayed longer than I expected.’
‘Not at all,—though I am quite ready to get away; it’s a little tiresome waiting here.’
This with a mischievous glance towards me,—a glance which compelled Lessingham to notice me.
‘You do not often favour us.’
‘I don’t. I find better employment for my time.’
‘You are wrong. It’s the cant of the day to underrate the House of Commons, and the work which it performs; don’t you suffer yourself to join in the chorus of the simpletons. Your time cannot be better employed than in endeavouring to improve the body politic.’
‘I am obliged to you.—I hope you are feeling better than when I saw you last.’
A gleam came into his eyes, fading as quickly as it came. He showed no other sign of comprehension, surprise, or resentment.
‘Thank you.—I am very well.’