'I hope you don't think good looks a disqualification for the business,
my lord,' said Madame Mantalini, simpering.
'Not by any means,' replied the old lord, 'or you would have left it
long ago.'
'You naughty creature,' said the lively lady, poking the peer with her
parasol; 'I won't have you talk so. How dare you?'
This playful inquiry was accompanied with another poke, and another,
and then the old lord caught the parasol, and wouldn't give it up again,
which induced the other lady to come to the rescue, and some very pretty
sportiveness ensued.
'You will see that those little alterations are made, Madame Mantalini,'
said the lady. 'Nay, you bad man, you positively shall go first; I
wouldn't leave you behind with that pretty girl, not for half a second.
I know you too well. Jane, my dear, let him go first, and we shall be
quite sure of him.'
The old lord, evidently much flattered by this suspicion, bestowed a
grotesque leer upon Kate as he passed; and, receiving another tap with
the parasol for his wickedness, tottered downstairs to the door, where
his sprightly body was hoisted into the carriage by two stout footmen.
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