t for a
circumstance which her ladyship, with all her genius for intrigue, had
never taken into her consideration. Count O'Halloran came to return the
visit which had been paid to him; and, in the course of conversation,
he spoke of the officers who had been introduced to him, and told Lady
Dashfort that he had heard a report which shocked him much--he hoped
it could not be true--that one of these officers had introduced his
mistress as his wife to Lady Oranmore, who lived in the neighbourhood.
This officer, it was said, had let Lady Oranmore send her carriage for
this woman; and that she had dined at Oranmore with her ladyship and her
daughters. [Fact.] 'But I cannot believe it! I cannot believe it to be
possible, that any gentleman, that any officer, could do such a thing!'
said the count.

'And is this all?' exclaimed Lady Dashfort. 'Is this all the terrible
affair, my good count, which has brought your face to this prodigious
length?'

The count looked at Lady Dashfort with astonishment.

'Such a look of virtuous indignation,' continued she, 'did I never
behold, on or off the stage. Forgive me for laughing, count; but,
believe me, comedy goes through the world better than tragedy, and, take
it all in all, does rather less mischief. As to the thing in question, I
know nothing about it: I dare say, it is not true; but, now, suppose it
was--it is only a silly QUIZ, of a raw young officer, upon a prudish
old dowager. I know nothing about it, for my part; but, after all, what
irreparable mischief has been done? Laugh at the thing, and then it is
a jest--a bad one, perhaps, but still only a jest--and there's an end
of it; but take it seriously, and there is no knowing where it might
end--in half a dozen duels, maybe.'

'Of that, madam,' said the count, 'Lady Oranmore's prudence and presence
of mind have prevented all danger. Her ladyship WOULD not understand the
insult. She said, or she acted as if she said, "JE NE VEUX RIEN
VOIR, RIEN ECOUTER, RIEN SAVOIR." Lady Oranmore is one of the most
respectable--'

'Count, I beg your pardon!' interrupted Lady Dashfort; 'but I must tell
you that your favourite, Lady Oranmore, has behaved very ill to me;
purposely omitted to invite Isabel to her ball; offended and insulted
me:--her praises, therefore, cannot be the most agreeable subject of
conversation you can choose for my amusement; and as to the rest, you,
who have such variety and so much politeness, will, I am sure, have