or private
theatricals, or--h'em--prettiness?' And again the eyeglass went up.

'Whichever you like,' said Rose, calmly, the scarlet on her cheek
deepening, while she resolutely reopened her book. The manner of the
other had quite effaced in her all that sense of obligation, as from the
young to the old, which she had been very carefully brought up in. Never
had she beheld such an extraordinary woman.

'Don't read,' said Lady Charlotte complacently. 'Look at me. It's
your duty to talk to me, you know; and I won't make myself any more
disagreeable than I can help. I generally make myself disagreeable, and
yet, after all, there are a great many people who like me.'

Rose turned a countenance rippling with suppressed laughter on her
companion. Lady Charlotte had a large fair face, with a great deal of
nose and chin, and an erection of lace and feathers on her head that
seemed in excellent keeping with the masterful emphasis of those
features. Her eyes stared frankly and unblushingly at the world, only
softened at intervals by the glasses which were so used as to make
them a most effective adjunct to her conversation. Socially she was
absolutely devoid of weakness or of shame. She found society extremely
interesting, and she always struck straight for the desirable thing
in it, making short work of all those delicate tentative processes of
acquaintanceship by which men and women ordinarily sort themselves.
Roses brilliant, vivacious beauty had caught her eye at dinner; she
adored beauty as she adored anything effective, and she always took a
queer pleasure in bullying her way into a girl's liking. It is a
great thing to be persuaded that at bottom you have a good heart.
Lady Charlotte was so persuaded, and allowed herself many things in
consequence.

'What shall we talk about?' said Rose demurely. 'What a magnificent old
house this is!'

'Stuff and nonsense! I don't want to talk about the house. I am sick
to death of it. And if your people live in the parish you are, too. I
return to my question. Come, tell me, what is your particular line in
life? I am sure you have one, by your face. You had better tell me; it
will do you no harm.'

Lady Charlotte settled herself comfortably on the sofa, and Rose, seeing
that there was no chance of escaping her tormentor, felt her spirits
rise to an encounter.

'Really--Lady Charlotte--' and she looked down, and then up, with a
feigned bashfulness--'I--I--play a little.'

'Hump