hen Mrs. Montgomery Floyd
insisted, in spite of the offers of Lady Bellair, that her ladyship
should take a seat in her carriage, and would not for an instant hear
of Lady Bellair defraying, under such circumstances, any portion of the
expense. Lady Bellair held out to the dazzled vision of Mrs. Montgomery
Floyd a brilliant perspective of the noble lords and wealthy squires
whose splendid seats, under the auspices of Lady Bellair, they were
to make their resting-places during their progress; and in time Lady
Bellair, who had a particular fancy for her own carriage, proposed
that her servants should travel in that of Mrs. Montgomery Floyd.
Mrs. Montgomery Floyd smiled a too willing assent. It ended by Mrs.
Montgomery Floyd's servants travelling to Lord Bellair's, where their
mistress was to meet them, in that lady's own carriage, and Lady Bellair
travelling in her own chariot with her own servants, and Mrs. Montgomery
Floyd defraying the expenditure of both expeditions.

CHAPTER V.

_In Which Lady Bellair Gives Some Account of Some of Her
Friends_.

LADY BELLAIR really loved Henrietta Temple. She was her prime and her
permanent favourite, and she was always lamenting that Henrietta would
not come and stay with her in London, and marry a duke. Lady Bellair
was a great matchmaker. When, therefore, she was welcomed by the fair
mistress of Ducie Bower, Lady Bellair was as genuine as she was profuse
in her kind phrases. 'My sweet, sweet young friend,' she said, as
Henrietta bowed her head and offered her lips to the little old lady,
'it is something to have such a friend as you. What old woman has such a
sweet friend as I have! Now let me look at you. It does my heart good to
see you. I feel younger. You are handsomer than ever, I declare you are.
Why will you not come and stay with me, and let me find you a husband?
There is the Duke of Derandale, he is in love with you already; for I
do nothing but talk of you. No, you should not marry him, he is not good
enough. He is not good enough. He is not refined. I love a duke, but I
love a duke that is refined more. You shall marry Lord Fitzwarrene.

He is my favourite; he is worthy of you. You laugh; I love to see
you laugh. You are so fresh and innocent! There is your worthy father
talking to my friend Mrs. Twoshoes; a very good creature, my love, a
very worthy soul, but no _ton_; I hate French words, but what other can
I use? And she will wear gold chains, wh