and nothing delighted her so much as making a person a tool. Capable,
where her heart was touched, of the finest sympathy and the most
generous actions, where her feelings were not engaged she experienced no
compunction in turning her companions to account, or, indeed, sometimes
in honouring them with her intimacy for that purpose. But if you had
the skill to detect her plots, and the courage to make her aware of your
consciousness of them, you never displeased her, and often gained her
friendship. For Lady Bellair had a fine taste for humour, and when she
chose to be candid, an indulgence which was not rare with her, she
could dissect her own character and conduct with equal spirit and
impartiality. In her own instance it cannot be denied that she comprised
the three great qualifications she so much prized: for she was very
witty; had blood in her veins, to use her own expression; and was the
prettiest woman in the world, for her years. For the rest, though no
person was more highly bred, she could be very impertinent; but if you
treated her with servility, she absolutely loathed you.

Lady Bellair, after the London season, always spent two or three
months at Bath, and then proceeded to her great grandson's, the present
viscount's, seat in the North, where she remained until London was
again attractive. Part of her domestic diplomacy was employed each year,
during her Bath visit, in discovering some old friend, or making some
new acquaintance, who would bear her in safety, and save her harmless
from all expenses and dangers of the road, to Northumberland; and she
displayed often in these arrangements talents which Talleyrand might
have envied. During the present season, Mrs. Montgomery Floyd, the widow
of a rich East Indian, whose intention it was to proceed to her estate
in Scotland at the end of the autumn, had been presented to Lady Bellair
by a friend well acquainted with her ladyship's desired arrangements.
What an invaluable acquaintance at such a moment for Lady Bellair! Mrs.
Montgomery Floyd, very rich and very anxious to be fashionable,
was intoxicated with the flattering condescension and anticipated
companionship of Lady Bellair. At first Lady Bellair had quietly
suggested that they should travel together to Northumberland. Mrs.
Montgomery Floyd was enchanted with the proposal. Then Lady Bellair
regretted that her servant was very ill, and that she must send her to
town immediately in her own carriage; and t