"
He referred to one of the worst financial scandals of the preceding
generation. Lady Lucy made no answer, but any one closely observing her
might have noticed a sudden and sharp stiffening of the lips, which was
in truth her reply.
"Oh, you can always ask a man like that to garden-parties!" said a
shrill, distant voice. The group round the table turned. The remark was
made by old Lady Niton, who sat enthroned in an arm-chair near the fire,
sometimes knitting, and sometimes observing her neighbors with a
malicious eye.
"Anything's good enough, isn't it, for garden-parties?" said Mrs.
Fotheringham, with a little sneer.
Lady Niton's face kindled. "Let us be Radicals, my dear," she said,
briskly, "but not hypocrites. Garden-parties are invaluable--for people
you can't ask into the house. By-the-way, wasn't it you, Oliver, who
scolded me last night, because I said somebody wasn't 'in Society'?"
"You said it of a particular hero of mine," laughed Marsham. "I
naturally pitied Society."
"What is Society? Where is it?" said Sir James Chide, contemptuously. "I
suppose Lady Palmerston knew."
The famous lawyer sat a little apart from the rest.
Pages:
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63