tract those whom she could not value, and to scare
from her the sort of friend to whom she would fain have linked her
lot. And then she met Mrs. Harold Smith, who had taken Mrs. Proudie's
noble suite of rooms in her tour for the evening, and was devoting
to them a period of twenty minutes. "And so I may congratulate you,"
Miss Dunstable said eagerly to her friend.

"No, in mercy's name, do no such thing, or you may too probably have
to uncongratulate me again; and that will be so unpleasant."

"But they told me that Lord Brock had sent for him yesterday." Now at
this period Lord Brock was Prime Minister.

"So he did, and Harold was with him backwards and forwards all the
day. But he can't shut his eyes and open his mouth, and see what God
will send him, as a wise and prudent man should do. He is always for
bargaining, and no Prime Minister likes that."

"I would not be in his shoes if, after all, he has to come home and
say that the bargain is off."

"Ha, ha, ha! Well, I should not take it very quietly. But what can we
poor women do, you know? When it is settled, my dear, I'll send you a
line at once." And then Mrs. Harold Smith finished her course round
the rooms, and regained her carriage within the twenty minutes.

"Beautiful profile, has she not?" said Miss Dunstable, somewhat later
in the evening, to Mrs. Proudie. Of course, the profile spoken of
belonged to Miss Grantly.

"Yes, it is beautiful, certainly," said Mrs. Proudie. "The pity is
that it means nothing."

"The gentlemen seem to think that it means a good deal."

"I am not sure of that. She has no conversation, you see; not a word.
She has been sitting there with Lord Dumbello at her elbow for the
last hour, and yet she has hardly opened her mouth three times."

"But, my dear Mrs. Proudie, who on earth could talk to Lord
Dumbello?" Mrs. Proudie thought that her own daughter Olivia would
undoubtedly be able to do so, if only she could get the opportunity.
But, then, Olivia had so much conversation. And while the two ladies
were yet looking at the youthful pair, Lord Dumbello did speak again.
"I think I have had enough of this now," said he, addressing himself
to Griselda.

"I suppose you have other engagements," said she.

"Oh, yes; and I believe I shall go to Lady Clantelbrocks." And then
he took his departure. No other word was spoken that evening between
him and Miss Grantly beyond those given in this chronicle, and yet
the world declared th