"I hope there's a tobacco-man in the town who sells
right Strasburg. I'm running out, and rappee and Brazil are mere rubbish
to the cultivated palate." Then, looking around the square, he added
cheerily, "Quite a show for the townsmen!"
Just in front of us, standing on the edge of the gutter, was a little,
ancient, distinguished dame, who had been watching the scene with quick,
avid eyes. She turned her fierce, scornful face up to the Colonel, and
said, "Yes, sir! You are right. It's a show, just a show, for the
townsmen. Yet I remember that, thirty years ago, the fathers of these
spiritless curs were as eager for the cause as is the eagle for his
quarry."
"So, madam," said the Colonel very gently.
"So, indeed," she returned. "But now, in their accursed grubbing for
money, they have rooted up every finer instinct, and they think only of
their tradings in silks with the Court ladies of London. Better a fine
gown sold to godless Caroline than a stout blow struck for God-anointed
James."
She was beyond doubt a lady of quality, but fallen on poverty and now,
worst of all to her, on evil, faithless days.
Pages:
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303