ility to
them, the possibility of results, and the satisfactory disposition of
the family goods and chattels that would be brought about, by such a
match, the opportunity it would offer the man, too, of rehabilitating
himself socially after his first matrimonial escapade--Rose caught
fragments of all these topics as they were discussed by two old ladies,
presumably also of the family 'ring,' who gossiped behind her with more
gusto than discretion. Highmindedness, of course, told her to move away;
something else held her fast, till her partner came up for her.

Then she floated away into the whirlwind of waltzers. But as she moved
round the room on her partners arm, her delicate half-scornful grace
attracting look after look, the soul within was all aflame--aflame
against the serried ranks and phalanxes of this unfamiliar, hostile
world! She had just been reading Trevelyan's 'Life of Fox' aloud to her
mother, who liked occasionally to flavor her knitting with literature,
and she began now to revolve a passage from it, describing the upper
class of the last century, which had struck that morning on her quick
retentive memory: "_A few thousand people who thought that the world
was made for them_"-did it not run so?-"_and that, all outside their
own fraternity were unworthy of notice or criticism, bestowed upon each
other an amount of attention quite inconceivable. ... Within the charmed
precincts there prevailed an easy and natural mode of intercourse, in
some respects singularly delightful._" Such, for instance, as the Duke
of Sedbergh was master of! Well, it was worth while, perhaps, to have
gained an experience, even at the expense of certain illusions, as to
the manners of dukes, and--and--as to the constancy of friends. But
never again-never again!' said the impetuous inner voice. 'I have my
world--they theirs!'

But why so strong a flood of bitterness against our poor upper class,
so well intentioned for all its occasional lack of lucidity, should
have arisen in so young a breast it is a little difficult for the most
conscientious biographer to explain. She had partners to her heart's
desire; young Lord Waynflete used his utmost arts upon her to persuade
her that at half a dozen numbers of the regular programme were extras
and, therefore at his disposal; and when royalty supped, it was
graciously pleased to ordain that Lady Helen and her two companions
should sup behind the same folding-doors as itself, while beyond