“Well⁠—hardly. One must enjoy life, and what’s a thousand, after all? I had my pleasure out of it.”

“Yes!” she breathed, her eyes sparkling. “That is how I think! What pleasure can one get if one neither hazards nor spends one’s money? Oh, well!” She shrugged one shoulder, dismissing the subject.

“Have you seen Tracy of late?”

“He was at a court ball I attended at Versailles, but I did not have a chance of speaking with him. I heard he was very popular at Paris.”

“Ay!” she said proudly. “He has the French air.⁠ ⁠… I so desire to see him again, but I fear he does not think of returning. I know he was promised for the Duchess of Devonshire’s rout months ago⁠—before even the date was fixed, she so dotes on him⁠—but I do not expect to see him there.” She sighed and drummed on the ground with her diamond-buckled shoe. “Harry, I am chilled! Take me to the Pavilion! I doubt they are dancing⁠—and Dicky will be there.”