hat they dropped
Lady Kirkbank soon afterwards. It was not their fault, these ingrates
pleaded piteously; but Edward, or Henry, or Theodore, as the case might
be, had a most cruel prejudice against dear Lady Kirkbank, and the young
wives were obliged to obey.

Others there were, however, the loyal few, who having won the prize
matrimonial in Lady Kirkbank's happy hunting grounds, remained true to
their friend ever afterwards, and defended her character against every
onslaught.

When Lady Maulevrier told her grandson that she had entrusted Lady
Kirkbank with the duty of introducing Lesbia to society, Maulevrier
shrugged his shoulders and held his peace. He knew no actual harm in the
matter. Lady Kirkbank's was rather a fast set; and had he been allowed
to choose it was not to Lady Kirkbank that he would have delegated his
grandmother's duty. In Maulevrier's own phrase it was 'not good enough'
for Lesbia. But it was not in his power to interfere. He was not told of
the plan until everything had been settled. The thing was accomplished;
and against accomplished facts Maulevrier was the last to protest.

His friend John Hammond had not been silent. He knew nothing of Lady
Kirkbank personally; but he knew the position which she held in London
society, and he urged his friend strongly to enlighten Lady Maulevrier
as to the kind of circle into which she was about to entrust her young
granddaughter, a girl brought up in the Arcadia of England.

'Not for worlds would I undertake such a task,' said Maulevrier. 'Her
ladyship never had any opinion of my wisdom, and this Lady Kirkbank is a
friend of her own youth. She would cut up rough if I were to say a word
against an old friend. Besides what's the odds, if you come to think of
it? all society is fast nowadays, or at any rate all society worth
living in. And then again, Lesbia is just one of those cool-headed girls
who would keep herself head uppermost in a maelstrom. She knows on which
side her bread is buttered. Look how easily she chucked you up because
she did not think you good enough. She'll make use of this Lady
Kirkbank, who is a good soul, I am told, and will make the best match of
the season.'

And now the season had begun, and Lady Lesbia Haselden was circulating
with other aristocratic atoms in the social vortex, with her head
apparently uppermost.

'Old Lady K--has nobbled a real beauty, this time,' said one of the
Arlington Street set to his friend as they lo