king her head_.] Ah! I am afraid Lord Brancaster
knew a good deal about that. More than his poor wife ever did.
[_Turning to_ LADY CHILTERN.] You know Lady Brancaster, don't you, dear?

LADY CHILTERN. Just slightly. She was staying at Langton last autumn,
when we were there.

LADY MARKBY. Well, like all stout women, she looks the very picture of
happiness, as no doubt you noticed. But there are many tragedies in her
family, besides this affair of the curate. Her own sister, Mrs. Jekyll,
had a most unhappy life; through no fault of her own, I am sorry to say.
She ultimately was so broken-hearted that she went into a convent, or on
to the operatic stage, I forget which. No; I think it was decorative
art-needlework she took up. I know she had lost all sense of pleasure in
life. [_Rising_.] And now, Gertrude, if you will allow me, I shall
leave Mrs. Cheveley in your charge and call back for her in a quarter of
an hour. Or perhaps, dear Mrs. Cheveley, you wouldn't mind waiting in
the carriage while I am with Lady Brancaster. As I intend it to be a
visit of condolence, I shan't stay long.

MRS. CHEVELEY [_Rising_.] I don't mind waiting in the carriage at all,
provided there is somebody to look at one.

LADY MARKBY. Well, I hear the curate is always prowling about the house.

MRS. CHEVELEY. I am afraid I am not fond of girl friends.

LADY CHILTERN [_Rising_.] Oh, I hope Mrs. Cheveley will stay here a
little. I should like to have a few minutes' conversation with her.

MRS. CHEVELEY. How very kind of you, Lady Chiltern! Believe me, nothing
would give me greater pleasure.

LADY MARKBY. Ah! no doubt you both have many pleasant reminiscences of
your schooldays to talk over together. Good-bye, dear Gertrude! Shall I
see you at Lady Bonar's to-night? She has discovered a wonderful new
genius. He does . . . nothing at all, I believe. That is a great
comfort, is it not?

LADY CHILTERN. Robert and I are dining at home by ourselves to-night,
and I don't think I shall go anywhere afterwards. Robert, of course,
will have to be in the House. But there is nothing interesting on.

LADY MARKBY. Dining at home by yourselves? Is that quite prudent? Ah,
I forgot, your husband is an exception. Mine is the general rule, and
nothing ages a woman so rapidly as having married the general rule.
[_Exit_ LADY MARKBY.]

MRS. CHEVELEY. Wonderful woman, Lady Markby, isn't she? Talks more and
says less than a