The Rose and the Ring by William Makepeace Thackeray
page 30 of 111 (27%)
page 30 of 111 (27%)
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I am sure _I_ should not be very well.
Then Giglio would say, 'Betsinda, has the Princess Angelica asked for me today?' And Betsinda would answer, 'No, my Lord, not today'; or, 'she was very busy practicing the piano when I saw her'; or, 'she was writing invitations for an evening party, and did not speak to me'; or make some excuse or other, not strictly consonant with truth: for Betsinda was such a good-natured creature that she strove to do everything to prevent annoyance to Prince Giglio, and even brought him up roast chicken and jellies from the kitchen (when the Doctor allowed them, and Giglio was getting better), saying, 'that the Princess had made the jelly, or the bread-sauce, with her own hands, on purpose for Giglio.' When Giglio heard this he took heart and began to mend immediately; and gobbled up all the jelly, and picked the last bone of the chicken--drumsticks, merry-thought, sides'-bones, back, pope's nose, and all--thanking his dear Angelica; and he felt so much better the next day, that he dressed and went downstairs, where, whom should he meet but Angelica going into the drawing-room? All the covers were off the chairs, the chandeliers taken out of the bags, the damask curtains uncovered, the work and things carried away, and the handsomest albums on the tables. Angelica had her hair in papers: in a word, it was evident there was going to be a party. 'Heavens, Giglio!' cries Angelica: 'YOU here in such a dress! What a figure you are!' 'Yes, dear Angelica, I am come downstairs, and feel so well today, thanks to the FOWL and the JELLY.' |
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