the Felsenburg? I have business there of an extreme importance.'

'I can refuse you nothing,' replied the old gentleman, gravely and

seriously enough. 'Whatever, madam, it is in my power to do for

you, that shall be done with pleasure. As soon as my chaise shall

overtake us, it is yours to carry you where you will. But,' added

he, reverting to his former manner, 'I observe you ask me nothing of

the Palace.'

'I do not care,' she said. 'I thought I saw it burning.'

'Prodigious!' said the Baronet. 'You thought? And can the loss of

forty toilettes leave you cold? Well, madam, I admire your

fortitude. And the state, too? As I left, the government was

sitting, - the new government, of which at least two members must be

known to you by name: Sabra, who had, I believe, the benefit of

being formed in your employment - a footman, am I right? - and our

old friend the Chancellor, in something of a subaltern position.

But in these convulsions the last shall be first, and the first

last.'

'Sir John,' she said, with an air of perfect honesty, 'I am sure you

mean most kindly, but these matters have no interest for me.'

The Baronet was so utterly discountenanced that he hailed the

appearance of his chaise with welcome, and, by way of saying

something, proposed that they should walk back to meet it. So it

was done; and he helped her in with courtesy, mounted to her side,

and from various receptacles (for the chaise was most completely

fitted out) produced fruits and truffled liver, beautiful white

bread, and a bottle of delicate wine. With these he served her like

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