in the world.

Your most affectionate sister,

CLARA KINGSBURY.

P.S.--Do remember poor Mr. Greenwood if Lord Persiflage
should know how to do something for a clergyman. He is
getting old, and Kingsbury has never been able to do
anything for him. I hope the Liberals never will be able
to do anything for anybody. I don't think Mr. Greenwood
would be fit for any duty, because he has been idle all
his life, and is now fond of good living; but a deanery
would just suit him.

After the interval of a fortnight Lady Kingsbury received a reply
from her sister which the reader may as well see at once.

Castle Hautboy,
November 9th.

MY DEAR CLARA,--

I don't know that there is anything further to be done
about Fanny. As for divorcing her from your heart, I don't
suppose that it amounts to much. I advise you to keep on
good terms with Hampstead, because if anything were to
happen, it is always well for the Dowager to be friends
with the heir. If Fanny will marry the man she must. Lady
Di Peacocke married Mr. Billyboy, who was a clerk in one
of the offices. They made him Assistant Secretary, and
they now live in Portugal Street and do very well. I see
Lady Diana about everywhere. Mr. Billyboy can't keep a
carriage for her, but that of course is her look-out.

As to what you say about second sons succeeding, don't
think of it. It would get you into a bad frame of mind,
and make you hate the very person upon whom you will
probably have to depend for much of your comfort.

I think you should take things easier, and, above all, do
not trouble your husband. I am sure he could make himself
very unpleasant if he were driven too far. Persiflage has
no clerical patronage whatever, and would not interfere
about Deans or Bishops for all the world. I suppose he
could appoint a Chaplain to an Embassy, but your clergyman
seems to be too old and too idle for that.

Your affectionate sister,

GERALDINE PERSIFLAGE.

This letter brought very little comfort to the distracted
Marchioness. There was much in it so cold that it offended her
deeply, and for a moment prompted her almost to divorce also Lady
Persiflage from her heart. Lady Persiflage seemed to think that
Fanny should be absolutely encouraged to marry the Post Office clerk,
because at some past period some Lady Diana, who at the time was
near fifty, had