"Take it, for mercy's sake then, my dear, over Harold, who's an example to Nanda herself in the way that, behind the piano there, he's keeping it up with Lady Fanny." If this had been a herring that, in the interest of peace, the Duchess had wished to draw across the scent, it could scarce have been more effective.

Mrs.Brook, whose position had made just the difference that she lost the view of the other side of the piano, took a slight but immediate stretch.

"IS Harold with Lady Fanny ?" "You ask it, my dear child," said the Duchess, "as if it were too grand to be believed.

It's the note of eagerness," she went on for Mr.
Longdon's benefit--"it's almost the note of hope: one of those that ces messieurs, that we all in fact delight in and find so matchless.

She desires for Harold the highest advantages." "Well then," declared Vanderbank, who had achieved a glimpse, "he's clearly having them.