Page:Memoirs of the Lady Hester Stanhope.djvu/341

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Lady Hester Stanhope.
327

cording to my wishes, and so on; but, as I despise the man, I only laughed at him and turned my back on him'; for I drink at the fountain head.'

"'Now, this is really too good a thing,' interrupted Mr. Pitt, lifting up his eyes in astonishment. 'It was but this very day, at three o'clock, that he was urging me not to let this very pension be given, or at least to prolong the business for a year, if it were possible; till, by tiring her patience, the thing might be dropped, or something turn up to set it aside; adding, that it would be opening the door to abuses, and, if I granted this too readily, I should have Forster's ten children to provide for.'"

Lady Hester went on: "From that day, I knew my man. I then said to Mr. Pitt, 'Let me show him who he has to deal with; do give your orders that the thing may be done immediately.'—'Oh! but it is too late to-night,' said Mr. Pitt. 'No, it is not,' I cried; 'for I see a light in the Treasury.' So I rang, and sent for" (here her ladyship mentioned a name which I could not catch, but I think it was Mr. Chinnery)—. When he came, I said to him, 'Will you be so good, sir, the first thing in the morning, to see that all the signatures are put to Lady S. N.'s paper: there is Mr. Pitt; ask him if it is so or not.' Mr. Pitt of course assented, and there the matter ended. Doctor, I had a great deal of trouble