Page:The Complete Works of William Makepeace Thackeray Vol.20.pdf/215

Rh she would often spill the tea over the cloth, at which her father and mother would wink and wag their heads; and say to each other, “Aha! we see how things are going.”

In the meanwhile poor Giglio lay upstairs very sick in his chamber, though he took all the Doctor’s horrible medicines like a good young lad: as I hope you do, my dears, when you are ill and mamma sends for the medical man. And the only person who visited Giglio (besides his friend

the Captain of the Guard, who was almost always busy or on parade) was little Betsinda the housemaid, who used to do his bedroom and sitting-room out, bring him his gruel, and warm his bed.

When the little housemaid came to him in the morning and evening, Prince Giglio used to say, “Betsinda, Betsinda, how is the Princess Angelica?”

And Betsinda used to answer, “The Princess is very well, thank you, my lord.” And Giglio would heave a sigh and think, “If Angelica were sick, I am sure I should not be very well.”