. She had not at all understood poor Miss
Dunstable's little joke, or at any rate she was too dignified to
respond to it.

"I understand that old Sir John is to accept the Chiltern Hundreds at
once," said Lady Lufton, in a half whisper to Frank Gresham.

Lady Lufton had always taken a keen interest in the politics of East
Barsetshire, and was now desirous of expressing her satisfaction that
a Gresham should again sit for the county. The Greshams had been old
county members in Barsetshire, time out of mind.

"Oh, yes; I believe so," said Frank, blushing. He was still young
enough to feel almost ashamed of putting himself forward for such
high honours.

"There will be no contest, of course," said Lady Lufton,
confidentially. "There seldom is in East Barsetshire, I am happy to
say. But if there were, every tenant at Framley would vote on the
right side; I can assure you of that. Lord Lufton was saying so to
me only this morning." Frank Gresham made a pretty little speech in
reply, such as young sucking politicians are expected to make; and
this, with sundry other small courteous murmurings, detained the
Lufton party for a minute or two in the ante-chamber. In the meantime
the world was pressing on and passing through to the four or five
large reception-rooms--the noble suite which was already piercing
poor Mrs. Proudie's heart with envy to the very core. "These are the
sort of rooms," she said to herself unconsciously, "which ought to be
provided by the country for the use of its bishops."

"But the people are not brought enough together," she said to her
lord.

"No, no; I don't think they are," said the bishop.

"And that is so essential for a conversazione," continued Mrs.
Proudie. "Now in Gloucester Place--" But we will not record all
her adverse criticisms, as Lady Lufton is waiting for us in the
ante-room. And now another arrival of moment had taken place;--an
arrival indeed of very great moment. To tell the truth, Miss
Dunstable's heart had been set upon having two special persons; and
though no stone had been left unturned,--no stone which could be
turned with discretion,--she was still left in doubt as to both
these two wondrous potentates. At the very moment of which we are
now speaking, light and airy as she appeared to be--for it was her
character to be light and airy--her mind was torn with doubts. If
the wished-for two would come, her evening would be thoroughly
successful; but if not, all her troubl