ed that in consequence of this conviction Lady
Clonbrony would lay aside the little affectations by which her manners
were painfully constrained and ridiculous; and, above all, she hoped
that what Lady Oranmore had said of Ireland might dispose her aunt
to listen with patience to all Lord Colambre might urge in favour of
returning to her home. But Miss Nugent hoped in vain. Lady Clonbrony
never in her life generalised any observations, or drew any but a
partial conclusion from the most striking facts.

'Lord! my dear Grace!' said she, as soon as they were seated in their
carriage, 'what a scrape I got into to-night at supper, and what
disgrace I came to!--and all this because I did not know Lady
Oranmore. Now you see the inconceivable disadvantage of not knowing
everybody--everybody of a certain rank, of course, I mean.'

Miss Nugent endeavoured to slide in her own moral on the occasion, but
it would not do.

'Yes, my dear, Lady Oranmore may talk in that kind of style of Ireland,
because, on the other hand, she is so highly connected in England; and,
besides, she is an old lady, and may take liberties; in short, she is
Lady Oranmore, and that's enough.'

The next morning, when they all met at breakfast, Lady Clonbrony
complained bitterly of her increased rheumatism, of the disagreeable,
stupid party they had had the preceding night, and of the necessity of
going to another formal party that night, the next, and the next,
and, in the true fine lady style, deplored her situation, and the
impossibility of avoiding those things,

Which felt they curse, yet covet still to feel.

Miss Nugent determined to retire as soon as she could from the
breakfast-room, to leave Lord Colambre an opportunity of talking over
his family affairs at full liberty. She knew by the seriousness of his
countenance that his mind was intent upon doing so, and she hoped that
his influence with his father and mother would not be exerted in vain.
But just as she was rising from the breakfast-table, in came Sir
Terence O'Fay, and, seating himself quite at his ease, in spite of Lady
Clonbrony's repulsive looks, his awe of Lord Colambre having now worn
off--

'I'm tired,' said he, 'and have a right to be tired; for it's no small
walk I've taken for the good of this noble family this morning. And,
Miss Nugent, before I say more, I'll take a cup of TA from you, if you
please.'

Lady Clonbrony rose, with great stateliness, and walked to the far