ressed humor. He was introduced to
Lady Flora Disney, and found himself regarded with unmistakable interest
and lurking amusement. It was no effort to remember that Mr Disney had
married a daughter of Lord Bewdley's. That was enough; just as he knew
all about her, she would know all about him; they were both of the pale
in a sense that their hostess was, but Lord Southend--well, hardly
was--and (absurdly enough) Mr Disney himself not at all. This again was
in patent incongruity with Blinkhampton and smelt wofully strong of
Blent. Lady Evenswood encouraged Harry to converse with the visitor.

"We're a little quieter," she was saying. "The crisis is dormant, and
the bishop's made, and Lord Hove has gone to consult the Duke of
Dexminster--which means a fortnight's delay anyhow, and probably being
told to do nothing in the end. So I sometimes see Robert at dinner."

"And he tells you things, and you're indiscreet about them!" said Lady
Evenswood rebukingly.

"I believe Robert considers me a sort of ante-room to publicity. And
it's so much easier to disown a wife than a journalist, isn't it, Mr
Tristram?"

"Naturally. The Press have to pretend to believe one another," he said,
smiling.

"That's the corner-stone," Southend agreed.

"Great is Diana of the Ephesians!" pursued Lady Flora. "But Diana was
never a wife, if I remember."

"Though how they do it, my dear," marvelled Lady Evenswood, "is what I
don't understand."

"I know nothing about them," Lady Flora declared. "And they know nothing
about me. They stop at my gowns, you know, and even then they always
confuse me with Gertrude Melrose."

"I hope that stops at the gown too?" observed Southend.

"The hair does it, I think. She buys hers at the same shop as I--Now
what do I do, Mr Tristram?"

"You, Lady Flora? You know the shop. Is that enough?"

"Yes, or--well, no. I supplement there. I declare I won't wait any
longer for Robert."

"He won't come now," said Lady Evenswood. "Is the bishop nice, my dear?"

"Oh, yes, quite plump and gaitery! Good-by, dear Cousin Sylvia. I wish
you'd come and see me, Mr Tristram."

Harry, making his little bow, declared that he would be delighted.

"I like to see young men sometimes," observed the lady, retreating.

"The new style," Lady Evenswood summed up, as the door closed.
"And--well, I suppose Robert likes it."

"_Dissimilia dissimilibus_," shrugged Southend, fixing his glasses.

"It's the only concession to app