in the
nature of Clara Winsleigh that, in spite of her easy-going conscience,
she could not altogether approve of.

"Do you never lunch with your husband, Clara?" she asked at last.

Lady Winsleigh looked surprised. "Very seldom. Only when there is
company, and I am compelled to be present. A domestic meal would be too
_ennuyant_! I wonder you can think of such a thing! And we generally
dine out."

Mrs. Marvelle was silent again, and, when she did speak, it was on a
less delicate matter.

"When is your great 'crush,' Clara?" she inquired, "You sent me a card,
but I forget the date."

"On the twenty-fifth," replied Lady Winsleigh. "This is the fifteenth. I
shall call on Lady Bruce-Errington"--here she smiled scornfully--"this
afternoon--and to-morrow I shall send them their invitations. My only
fear is whether they mayn't refuse to come. I would not miss the chance
for the world! I want my house to be the first in which her
peasant-ladyship distinguishes herself by her blunders!"

"I'm afraid it'll be quite a scandal!" sighed Mrs. Rush-Marvelle.
"Quite! Such a pity! Bruce-Errington was such a promising, handsome
young man!"

At that moment Briggs appeared again with an elegantly set
luncheon-tray, which he placed on the table with a flourish.

"Order the carriage at half-past three," commanded Lady Winsleigh. "And
tell Mrs. Marvelle's coachman that he needn't wait,--I'll drive her home
myself."

"But, my dear Clara," remonstrated Mrs. Marvelle, "I must call at the
Van Clupps'--"

"I'll call there with you. I owe them a visit. Has Marcia caught young
Masherville yet?"

"Well," hesitated Mrs. Marvelle, "he is rather slippery, you know--so
undecided and wavering!"

Lady Winsleigh laughed. "Never mind that! Marcia's a match for him!
Rather a taking girl--only _what_ an accent! My nerves are on edge
whenever I hear her speak."

"It's a pity she can't conquer that defect," agreed Mrs. Marvelle. "I
know she has tried. But, after all, they're not the best sort of
Americans--"

"The _best_ sort! I should think not! But they're of the _richest_ sort,
and that's something, Mimsey! Besides, though everybody knows what Van
Clupp's father was, they make a good pretense at being well-born,--they
don't cram their low connections down your throat, as Bruce-Errington
wants to do with his common wife. They ignore all their vulgar
belongings delightfully! They've been cruelly 'cut' by Mrs.
Rippington--she's American--bu