Visits and Sketches at Home and Abroad with Tales and Miscellanies Now First Collected Volume III Part 15

_Re-enter JUSTINE, holding a purse in her hand._

d.i.c.k--(_bowing._)

Much obliged, my lady; I hopes to give satisfaction, but (_looking with admiration at LADY AMARANTHE's foot as it rests on the footstool_) such a pretty, little, delicate, beautiful foot as yon, I never fitted in all my born days. It can't cost your ladyship much in shoe leather, I guess?

LADY AMARANTHE--(_smiling complacently._)

Rather more than you would imagine, I fancy, my good friend.

JUSTINE.

Comment donc--ce Monsieur d.i.c.k, fait aussi des complimens a Madame? Il ne manque pas de gout,--(_aside_) et il sait ce qu'il fait, apparemment.

LADY AMARANTHE--(_glancing at her foot._)

C'est a dire--il a du bon sens, et ne parle pas mal. (_She takes the purse._) As you so civilly obliged me, you must allow me to make you some return.

d.i.c.k--(_putting his hand behind him._)

Me, ma'am! I'm sure I don't want to be paid for being civil.

LADY AMARANTHE.

But as I have deprived you of a pleasure, my good friend, some amends surely--

d.i.c.k.

Oh, ma'am, pray don't mention it; my wife's a little tired and sleepy sometimes of a morning, and if I didn't sing her out of bed, I do think she would, by chance, snooze away till six o'clock, like any d.u.c.h.ess; but a pinch or a shake or a kiss will do as well, may be: and (_earnestly_) she's, for all that, the best woman in the world.

LADY AMARANTHE--(_smiling._)

I can believe it, though she _does_ sleep till six o'clock like a d.u.c.h.ess. Well, my good friend, there are five guineas in this purse; the purse is my own work; and I request you will present it to your wife from me, with many thanks for your civility.

d.i.c.k--(_confused._)

Much obliged, much obliged, but I can't, I can't indeed, my lady. Five guineas! O Lord! I should never know what to do with such a power of money.

LADY AMARANTHE.

Your wife will not say the same, depend upon it; she will find some use for it.

d.i.c.k.

My Meg, poor woman! she never had so much money in all her life.

LADY AMARANTHE.

I must insist upon it; you will offend me.

JUSTINE--(_taking the purse out of her lady's hand, and forcing it upon d.i.c.k._)

Dieux! est-il bete!--you no understand?--It is de gold and de silver money (_laughing._) Comme il a l'air ebahi!

d.i.c.k--(_putting up the money._)

Many thanks, and I pray G.o.d bless your ladyship!

LADY AMARANTHE--(_gaily._)

Good morning, Mr. d.i.c.k. Remember me to your wife.

d.i.c.k.

I will, my lady. I wish your ladyship, and you, miss, a good morning.

(_To himself._) Five guineas!--what will Meg say?--Now I'll be a master shoemaker. (_Going out in an ecstasy, he knocks his head against the wall._)

LADY AMARANTHE.

Take care, friend. Montrez-lui la porte, Justine!

JUSTINE.

Mais venez donc, Monsieur d.i.c.k--par ici--et n'allez pas donner le nez contre la porte!

[_d.i.c.k follows JUSTINE out of the door, after making several bows._

LADY AMARANTHE.

Poor man!--well, he's silenced--he does not look as if he would sing, morning or night, for the next twelve months.

_Re-enter JUSTINE._

JUSTINE.

Voici Madame Mincetaille, qui vient pour essayer la robe-de-bal de madame.

LADY AMARANTHE.

Ah! allons donc.

[_They go out._

_The SCENE changes to the Cobbler's Garret._

_Enter MARGERY, in haste; a basket in her hand. She looks about her._

MARGERY.