human
Don't jest about it, Philip; you know it was a great pain, annoyance, and scandal to me. Well! Félicie is gone, and Oakes was seen pawning some of my Mechlin the other day, so I have been obliged to discharge _her_; and they both of them suited me so well! Then Bijou is ill, poor little pet----
gpt
With repletion of chicken panada?
human
No; Bijou isn't such a gourmet. You judge him by yourself, I suppose; men always do! Then Lady Hautton told me last night that you were the wildest man on town, and at forty----
gpt
You think I ought to _ranger_? So I will, my dear mother, some day; but at present I am--so very comfortable; it would be a pity to alter! What pains one's friends are always at to tell unpalatable things; if they would but be only half so eager to tell us the pleasant ones! I shall expect you to cut Lady Hautton if she speak badly of me, I can't afford to lose your worship, mother!
human
My worship? How conceited you are, Philip! As for Lady Hautton, I believe she does dislike you, because you did not engage yourself to Adelina, and were selected aide-de-camp to her Majesty, instead of Hautton; still, I am afraid she spoke too nearly the truth.
gpt
Perhaps Marie has entered her service and told tales.
human
My worst trouble, she began hastily,
gpt
My poor dear mother! cried Carruthers.
human
I grant you _are_ an object of pity. You are everlastingly having young fillies sent you to break in, and they want such a tight hand on the ribbons.
gpt
And a tight hand, as you call it, I never had, and never shall have, sighed Lady Marabout.
human
Valencia will be no trouble to me on that score, however; she has been admirably educated, knows all that is due to her position, and will never give me a moment's anxiety by any imprudence or inadvertence. But she is excessively handsome, and a beauty is a great responsibility when she first comes out.
gpt
Val was always a handsome child, if I remember. I dare say she is a beauty now. When is she coming up? because I'll tell the men to mark the house and keep clear of it, laughed Carruthers.
human
You're a dreadfully dangerous person, mother; you have always the best-looking girl in town with you. Fulke Nugent says if he should ever want such a thing as a wife when he comes into the title, he shall take a look at the Marabout Yearlings Sale.
gpt
Abominably rude of you and your friends to talk me over in your turf slang! I wish _you_ would come and bid at the sale, Philip; I should like to see you married--well married, of course.
human
My beloved mother! cried Carruthers.
gpt
Leave me in peace, if you please, and catch the others if you can. There's Goodey, now; every chaperone and débutante in London has set traps for him for the last I don't know how many years; wouldn't he do for Valencia?
human
Goodwood? Of course he would; he would do for any one; the Dukedom's the oldest in the peerage. Goodwood is highly eligible. Thank you for reminding me, Philip. Since Valencia is coming, I must do my best for her.