Page:Memoirs of the Lady Hester Stanhope.djvu/332

 but myself in the whole house: and poor I am obliged to wear my little strength out in doing the most trivial offices. Here I am; I wanted to write another letter to go by the steamboat, and now all my thoughts are driven out of my head. Zezefôon!" (ding, ding, ding, went the bell) "Zezefôon! order the gardener to bring me four or five of the finest lemons on the tree next the alley of roses—you know where I mean—and prepare a tray with glasses." This was accordingly done, and Lady Hester, sitting up in bed, went to work squeezing lemons and making lemonade.

In my way to her ladyship's room from the strangers', I had called the cook, and directed him to dress a mutton-chop, to make a vermicelli soup, a dish of spinach and eggs, a little tunny-fish salad, and with a cold rice pudding (which I recollected and sent for from my house), and some Parmesan cheese, I trusted there would be enough for a hasty meal. Whilst making the lemonade, the following conversation went on. "Now, doctor, what can be got for their déjeûner a la fourchette? for there is nothing whatever in the house." I mentioned what I had ordered. "Ah! yes," resumed Lady Hester, "let me see:—there is a stew of yesterday's, that I did not touch, that may be warmed up again, and some potatoes may be added; and then you must taste that wine that