place!"

A sympathetic imagination enabled her friends to realise the misery
and beggary which Mrs. Kirby's exceedingly cheerful and prosperous
appearance concealed. Both groaned appropriately, and Miss Coppinger
made the sweeping statement that she detested hunting in _all_
its ramifications. "We are always told that its great merit is that it
brings all classes together," she continued. "In _my_ opinion
that is a very dubious advantage, if, indeed, it is not a draw-back!"

Mrs. Kirby permitted her glance to commune for a brief instant with
that of the third lady, Mrs. St. George.

"Like mixed concerts!" said Mrs. St. George, in a deep and awful
voice.

"Mixed pickles!" murmured Mrs. Kirby, and chuckled at her jest.

Miss Frederica flushed.

"My dear Louisa," she said, resentfully, "I am perfectly aware of
their disadvantages, but I should be obliged to you if you would tell
me what I am to do! It is the difference in religion that makes me
powerless. Powerless!" she repeated looking almost with triumph upon
her companions, so irrefutable was her case.

"I hope I'm not a bigot," said Mrs. St. George impressively; "but I
thank God I'm not a Roman Catholic!"

"'Not as other men are'!" quoted Miss Coppinger, with some acidity.
Even though she agreed with the sentiment, she could not forget that
Larry was her nephew.

"Oh, it isn't the actual _religion_ I was thinking of," said Mrs.
St. George, rather hurriedly, Larry's disadvantages having temporarily
escaped her memory. "It was rather--well--"

"For boys it doesn't matter so much," broke in Mrs. Kirby, "but I
really _did_ dislike seeing Christian on the platform with that
party!"

"She was only playing accompaniments," said Miss Coppinger still
resentful.

"That only made it worse! If she had sung a solo it would have been
less humiliating," replied Mrs. Kirby, with a masterly change of
front. "I was indignant! Christian, with her charming voice, only
playing accompaniments and singing in the glees, and that unendurable
Mangan girl posing as the Prima Donna, and oh! her clothes!"

"Or her want of them!" interposed Mrs. St. George, on a profound bass
note.

"And her songs! I don't profess to know much about music, but I
_do_ know what I like!" continued Mrs. Kirby with the finality
and decision that usually accompany the admission. "People may tell me
she has a fine voice, but I _detest_ enormous contralto voices!
_What_ I suffered during the last t