Burke had something to say on every subject, from bits of personal gossip, up to the sweet and melting landscape that lay in all its beauty before their windows on the terrace.

He was playful, serious, fantastic, wise.

When they next met, the great man completed his conquest by expressing his admiration of _Evelina_.

Gibbon assured her that he had read the whole five volumes in a day; but Burke declared the feat was impossible, for he had himself read it through without interruption, and it had cost him three days.

He showed his regard for the authoress in a more substantial way than by compliments and criticism.