l," she said, "and another dozen who are the
most odious."

"Quite a dozen who are the most odious, but only one, Lady George, who
is the most delightful." He had hardly said this when the door opened
and Lord George entered the room. Lord George was not a clever
hypocrite. If he disliked a person he soon showed his dislike in his
manner. It was very clear to both of them on the present occasion that
he did not like the presence of Captain De Baron. He looked very
gloomy,--almost angry, and after speaking hardly more than a single
word to his wife's guest, he stood silent and awkward, leaning against
the mantel-piece. "What do you think Captain De Baron tells me?" Mary
said, trying, but not very successfully, to speak with natural ease.

"I don't in the least know."

"There has been such a scene at the Women's Institute! That Baroness
made a dreadful attack on poor Lady Selina Protest."

"She and the American female doctor were talking against each other
from the same platform, at the same time," said De Baron.

"Very disgraceful!" said Lord George. "But then the whole thing is
disgraceful, and always was. I should think Lord Plausible must be
thoroughly ashamed of his sister." Lady Selina was sister to the Earl
of Plausible, but, as all the world knew, was not on speaking terms
with her brother.

"I suppose that unfortunate German lady will be put in prison," said
Lady George.

"I only trust she may never be able to put her foot into your house
again."

Then there was a pause. He was apparently so cross that conversation
seemed to be impossible. The Captain would have gone away at once had
he been able to escape suddenly. But there are times when it is very
hard to get out of a room, at which a sudden retreat would imply a
conviction that something was wrong. It seemed to him that for her sake
he was bound to remain a few minutes longer. "When do you go down to
Brothershire?" he asked.

"About the 7th of July," said Mary.

"Or probably earlier," said Lord George;--at which his wife looked up
at him, but without making any remark.

"I shall be down at my cousin's place some day in August," De Baron
said. Lord George frowned more heavily than ever. "Mr. De Baron is
going to have a large gathering of people about the end of the month."

"Oh, indeed," said Mary.

"The Houghtons will be there." Then Mary also frowned. "And I have an
idea that your brother, Lord George, has half promised to be one of the
pa