I saw a man's feet--that was all."
"Well, there he was, for what reason the devil knows, perdu amongst
the painter's litter; and when he heard your little startled cry
--most musical, most melancholy--what should he fancy but that
you were frightened, and he must rush to the rescue! And so he did
with a vengeance: I don't know when I shall quite forget the blow
he gave me." And again Liftore laughed, or thought he did.
"He struck you!" exclaimed Florimel, rather astonished, but hardly
able for inward satisfaction to put enough of indignation into her
tone.
"He did, the fellow!--But don't say a word about it, for I thrashed
him so unmercifully that, to tell the truth, I had to stop because
I grew sorry for him. I am sorry now. So I hope you will take
no notice of it. In fact, I begin to like the rascal: you know I
was never favourably impressed with him. By Jove! it is not every
mistress that can have such a devoted attendant. I only hope his
over zeal in your service may never get you into some compromising
position. He is hardly, with all his virtues, the proper servant
for a young lady to have about her; he has had no training--no
proper training at all, you see. But you must let the villain nurse
himself for a day or two anyhow. It would be torture to make him
ride, after what I gave him.
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