"It's only," he explained to their hostess, "because of what Miss Stant has been telling me.

Don't we want to keep up her courage ?" If the joke was broad he had at least not begun it--not, that is, AS a joke; which was what his companion's address to their friend made of it.

"She has been trying in America, she says, but hasn't brought it off." The tone was somehow not what Mrs.Assingham had expected, but she made the best of it.

"Well then," she replied to the young man, "if you take such an interest you must bring it off." "And you must help, dear," Charlotte said unperturbed--"as you've helped, so beautifully, in such things before." With which, before Mrs.
Assingham could meet the appeal, she had addressed herself to the Prince on a matter much nearer to him.

"YOUR marriage is on Friday ?--on Saturday ?" "Oh, on Friday, no! For what do you take us?
There's not a vulgar omen we're neglecting.