.

"Think of our surprise, Mirah," said Kate. "We were speaking of Mr.
Deronda and the Mallingers, and it turns out that Miss Gascoigne knows
them."

"I only knew about them," said Anna, a little flushed with excitement,
what she had heard and now saw of the lovely Jewess being an almost
startling novelty to her. "I have not even seen them. But some months
ago, my cousin married Sir Hugo Mallinger's nephew, Mr. Grandcourt, who
lived in Sir Hugo's place at Diplow, near us."

"There!" exclaimed Mab, clasping her hands. "Something must come of
that. Mrs. Grandcourt, the Vandyke duchess, is your cousin?"

"Oh, yes; I was her bridesmaid," said Anna. "Her mamma and mine are
sisters. My aunt was much richer before last year, but then she and
mamma lost all their fortune. Papa is a clergyman, you know, so it
makes very little difference to us, except that we keep no carriage,
and have no dinner parties--and I like it better. But it was very sad
for poor Aunt Davilow, for she could not live with us, because she has
four daughters besides Gwendolen; but then, when she married Mr.
Grandcourt, it did not signify so much, because of his being so rich."

"Oh, this finding out relationships is delightful!" said Mab. "It is
like a Chinese puzzle that one has to fit together. I feel sure
something wonderful may be made of it, but I can't tell what."

"Dear me, Mab," said Amy, "relationships must branch out. The only
difference is, that we happen to know some of the people concerned.
Such things are going on every day."

"And pray, Amy, why do you insist on the number nine being so
wonderful?" said Mab. "I am sure that is happening every day. Never
mind, Miss Gascoigne; please go on. And Mr. Deronda?--have you never
seen Mr. Deronda? You _must_ bring him in."

"No, I have not seen him," said Anna; "but he was at Diplow before my
cousin was married, and I have heard my aunt speaking of him to papa.
She said what you have been saying about him--only not so much: I mean,
about Mr. Deronda living with Sir Hugo Mallinger, and being so nice,
she thought. We talk a great deal about every one who comes near
Pennicote, because it is so seldom there is any one new. But I
remember, when I asked Gwendolen what she thought of Mr. Deronda, she
said, 'Don't mention it, Anna: but I think his hair is dark.' That was
her droll way of answering: she was always so lively. It is really
rather wonderful that I should come to hear so much about him, a