'One's pride may feel a touch with the foils as keenly as the point of a rapier,' said Diana.
The remark drew a sharp look of pleasure from him.
'Does the Princess Egeria propose to dismiss the individual she inspires, when he is growing most sensible of her wisdom?'
'A young Minister of State should be gleaning at large when holiday is granted him.'
Dacier coloured. 'May I presume on what is currently reported?'
'Parts, parts; a bit here, a bit there,' she rejoined. 'Authors find their models where they can, and generally hit on the nearest.'
'If you run to interjections I shall cite you a sentence, from your latest speech in the House.'
He asked for it, and to school him she consented to flatter with her recollection of his commonest words:
'“Dealing with subjects of this nature emotionally does, not advance us a calculable inch.”'
'I must have said that in relation to hard matter of business.'
'It applies. There is my hostelry, and the spectral form of Danvers, utterly depaysee. Have you spoken to the poor soul? I can never discover the links of her attachment to my service.'
'She knows a good mistress.--I have but a few minutes, if you are relentless. May I..., shall I ever be privileged to speak your Christian name?'
'My Christian name! It is Pagan. In one sphere I am Hecate. Remember that.'
'I am not among the people who so regard you.'
'I break no tie. I owe no allegiance whatever to the name.'
'Keep to the formal title with me. We are Mrs. Warwick and Mr. Dacier. I think I am two years younger than you; socially therefore ten in seniority; and I know how this flower of friendship is nourished and may be withered. You see already what you have done? You have cast me on the discretion of my maid. I suppose her trusty, but I am at her mercy, and a breath from her to the people beholding me as Hecate queen of Witches! ... I have a sensation of the scirocco it would blow.'
'In that event, the least I can offer is my whole life.'
'I see I shall have to revise the next edition of THE YOUNG MINISTER, and make an emotional curate of him. Observe Danvers. The woman is wretched; and now she sees me coming she pretends to be using her wits in studying the things about her, as I have directed. She is a riddle. I have the idea that any morning she may explode; and yet I trust her and sleep soundly. I must be free, though I vex the world's watchdogs.--So, Danvers, you are noticing how thoroughly Frenchwomen do their work.'