it to-night. A stranger coming to London could scarcely have a better
opportunity of seeing some of our great illustrations of science and
literature. And you will meet our own family--not Sir Brian's, who--who
have other society and amusements--but mine. I hope Mr. Newcome and
myself will never forget them. We have a few friends at dinner, and now
I must go in and consult with Mrs. Hubbard, my housekeeper. Good-bye for
the present. Mind, not later than ten, as Mr. Newcome must be up betimes
in the morning, and our parties break up early. When Clive is a little
older, I dare say we shall see him, too. Good-bye!" And again the
Colonel was favoured with a shake of the glove, and the lady and her
suite sailed up the stair, and passed in at the door.

She had not the faintest idea but that the hospitality which she was
offering to her kinsman was of the most cordial and pleasant kind. She
fancied everything she did was perfectly right and graceful. She invited
her husband's clerks to come through the rain at ten o'clock from
Kentish Town; she asked artists to bring their sketch-books from
Kensington, or luckless pianists to trudge with their music from
Brompton. She rewarded them with a smile and a cup of tea, and thought
they were made happy by her condescension. If, after two or three of
these delightful evenings, they ceased to attend her receptions, she
shook her little flaxen head, and sadly intimated that Mr. A.
was getting into bad courses, or feared that Mr. B. found merely
intellectual parties too quiet for him. Else, what young man in his
senses could refuse such entertainment and instruction?

CHAPTER VIII. Mrs. Newcome at Home (a Small Early Party)

To push on in the crowd, every male or female struggler must use his
shoulders. If a better place than yours presents itself just beyond your
neighbour, elbow him and take it. Look how a steadily purposed man
or woman at court, at a ball, or exhibition, wherever there is a
competition and a squeeze, gets the best place; the nearest the
sovereign, if bent on kissing the royal hand; the closest to the grand
stand, if minded to go to Ascot; the best view and hearing of the Rev.
Mr. Thumpington, when all the town is rushing to hear that exciting
divine; the largest quantity of ice, champagne, and seltzer, cold pate,
or other his or her favourite flesh-pot, if gluttonously minded, at a
supper whence hundreds of people come empty away. A woman of the world
will m