the facts." And Lady Firebrace
twirled in her hand a bulletin from Mr Tadpole.

"Lansdowne House is destined to cross me," said Lady St Julians with
bitterness.

"Well it is very provoking," said Lady Deloraine, "when you had made up
your mind to ask them for Wednesday."

"Yes, that alone is a sacrifice," said Lady St Julians.

"Talking over the division I suppose," said Egremont as he entered.

"Ah! Mr Egremont," said Lady St Julians. "What a hachis you made of it."

Lady Firebrace shook her head, as it were reproachfully.

"Charles," said Lady Deloraine, "we were talking of this Mr Trenchard.
Did I not once hear you say you knew something of him?"

"Why, he is one of my intimate acquaintance."

"Heavens! what a man for a friend!" said Lady St Julians.

"Heavens!" echoed Lady Firebrace raising her hands.

"And why did you not present him to me, Charles," said Lady Deloraine.

"I did; at Lady Peel's."

"And why did you not ask him here?"

"I did several times; but he would not come."

"He is going to Lansdowne House, though," said Lady Firebrace.

"I suppose you wrote the leading article in the Standard which I have
just read," said Egremont smiling. "It announces in large type the
secret reasons of Mr Trenchard's vote."

"It is a fact," said Lady Firebrace.

"That Trenchard is going to Lansdowne House to-night; very likely. I
have met him at Lansdowne House half-a-dozen times. He is very intimate
with the family and lives in the same county."

"But his wife," said Lady Firebrace; "that's the point: he never could
get his wife there before."

"He has none," said Egremont very quietly.

"Then we may regain him," said Lady St Julians with energy. "You shall
make a little dinner to Greenwich, Mr Egremont, and I will sit next to
him."

"Fortunate Trenchard!" said Egremont. "But do you know I fear he is
hardly worthy of his lot. He has a horror of fine ladies; and there is
nothing in the world he more avoids than what you call society. At
home, as this morning when I breakfasted with him, or in a circle of his
intimates, he is the best company in the world; no one so well informed,
fuller of rich humour, and more sincerely amiable. He is popular with
all who know him--except Taper, Lady St Julians, and Tadpole, Lady
Firebrace."

"Well, I think I will ask him still for Wednesday," said Lady St
Julians; "and I will write him a little note. If society is not his
object, what is?"

"Ay!" said Egre