ing at all." Mrs. Brook was positive. "The
comprehension of petty calculations? Never!"

"I don't say the calculations are petty," Mr. Cashmore objected.

"Well, she's a great creature. If she does fall--!" His hostess lost
herself in the view, which was at last all before her. "Be sure we shall
all know it."

"That's exactly what I'm afraid of!"

"Then don't be afraid till we do. She would fall, as it were, on US,
don't you see? and," said Mrs. Brook, with decision this time in
her headshake, "that couldn't be. We MUST keep her up--that's your
guarantee. It's rather too much," she added with the same increase of
briskness, "to have to keep YOU up too. Be very sure that if Carrie
really wavers--"

"Carrie?"

His interruption was clearly too vague to be sincere, and it was as such
that, going straight on, she treated it. "I shall never again give
her three minutes' attention. To answer to you for Fanny without being
able--"

"To answer to Fanny for me, do you mean?" He had flushed quickly as if
he awaited her there. "It wouldn't suit you, you contend? Well then,
I hope it will ease you off," he went on with spirit, "to know that I
wholly LOATHE Mrs. Donner."

Mrs. Brook, staring, met the announcement with an absolute change of
colour. "And since when, pray?" It was as if a fabric had crumbled. "She
was here but the other day, and as full of you, poor thing, as an egg of
meat."

Mr. Cashmore could only blush for her. "I don't say she wasn't. My
life's a burden from her."

Nothing, for a spectator, could have been so odd as Mrs. Brook's
disappointment unless it had been her determination. "Have you done with
her already?"

"One has never done with a buzzing insect--!"

"Until one has literally killed it?" Mrs. Brookenham wailed. "I
can't take that from you, my dear man: it was yourself who originally
distilled the poison that courses through her veins." He jumped up at
this as if he couldn't bear it, presenting as he walked across the room,
however, a large foolish fugitive back on which her eyes rested as on a
proof of her penetration. "If you spoil everything by trying to deceive
me, how can I help you?"

He had looked, in his restlessness, at a picture or two, but he finally
turned round. "With whom is it you talk us over? With Petherton and his
friend Mitchy? With your adored Vanderbank? With your awful Duchess?"

"You know my little circle, and you've not always despised it." She met
him on his ret