t, till further explanation had been made which must, she
feared, have been very painful to the Baroness, that she began to
perceive that she was expected to pay for the eight tickets on the
moment. She had a sovereign in her pocket, and was quite willing to
sacrifice it; but she hardly knew how to hand the coin bodily to a
Baroness. When she did do so, the Baroness very well knew how to put it
into her pocket. "You vill like to keep the entire eight?" asked the
Baroness. Mary thought that four might perhaps suffice for her own
wants;--whereupon the Baroness re-pocketed four, but of course did not
return the change.

But even then the Baroness had not completed her task. Aunt Ju had
evidently been false and treacherous, but might still be won back to
loyal honesty. So much Mary gradually perceived to be the drift of the
lady's mind. Lady Selina was hopeless. Lady Selina, whom the Baroness
intended to drag before all the judges in England, would do nothing
fair or honest; but Aunt Ju might yet be won. Would Lady George go with
the Baroness to Aunt Ju? The servant had unfortunately just announced
the brougham as being at the door. "Ah," said the Baroness, "it vould
be ten minutes, and vould be my salvation." Lady George did not at all
want to go to the house in Green Street. She had no great desire to
push her acquaintance with Aunt Ju, she particularly disliked the
younger Miss Mildmay, and she felt that she had no business to
interfere in this matter. But there is nothing which requires so much
experience to attain as the power of refusing. Almost before she had
made up her mind whether she would refuse or not the Baroness was in
the brougham with her, and the coachman had been desired to take them
to Green Street. Throughout the whole distance the Baroness was voluble
and unintelligible; but Lady George could hear the names of Selina
Protest and Olivia Q. Fleabody through the thunder of the lady's loud
complaints.

Yes, Miss Mildmay was at home. Lady George gave her name to the
servant, and also especially requested that the Baroness Banmann might
be first announced. She had thought it over in the brougham, and had
determined that if possible it should appear that the Baroness had
brought her. Twice she repeated the name to the servant. When they
reached the drawing-room only the younger Miss Mildmay was present. She
sent the servant to her aunt, and received her two visitors very
demurely. With the Baroness, of whom