Westgate. "But we only go to see a few
people--whom we like."

"Of course one can't like everyone," said Lady Pimlico.

"It depends upon one's society," Mrs. Westgate rejoined.

The Duchess meanwhile had addressed herself to Bessie. "My son tells me
the young ladies in America are so clever."

"I am glad they made so good an impression on him," said Bessie,
smiling.

The Duchess was not smiling; her large fresh face was very tranquil.
"He is very susceptible," she said. "He thinks everyone clever, and
sometimes they are."

"Sometimes," Bessie assented, smiling still.

The duchess looked at her a little and then went on; "Lambeth is very
susceptible, but he is very volatile, too."

"Volatile?" asked Bessie.

"He is very inconstant. It won't do to depend on him."

"Ah," said Bessie, "I don't recognize that description. We have depended
on him greatly--my sister and I--and he has never disappointed us."

"He will disappoint you yet," said the duchess.

Bessie gave a little laugh, as if she were amused at the duchess's
persistency. "I suppose it will depend on what we expect of him."

"The less you expect, the better," Lord Lambeth's mother declared.

"Well," said Bessie, "we expect nothing unreasonable."

The duchess for a moment was silent, though she appeared to have more to
say. "Lambeth says he has seen so much of you," she presently began.

"He has been to see us very often; he has been very kind," said Bessie
Alden.

"I daresay you are used to that. I am told there is a great deal of that
in America."

"A great deal of kindness?" the young girl inquired, smiling.

"Is that what you call it? I know you have different expressions."

"We certainly don't always understand each other," said Mrs. Westgate,
the termination of whose interview with Lady Pimlico allowed her to give
her attention to their elder visitor.

"I am speaking of the young men calling so much upon the young ladies,"
the duchess explained.

"But surely in England," said Mrs. Westgate, "the young ladies don't
call upon the young men?"

"Some of them do--almost!" Lady Pimlico declared. "When the young men
are a great PARTI."

"Bessie, you must make a note of that," said Mrs. Westgate. "My sister,"
she added, "is a model traveler. She writes down all the curious facts
she hears in a little book she keeps for the purpose."

The duchess was a little flushed; she looked all about the room, while
her daughter turned to Bessie. "