friend Lady Grogram, after she had returned home from Buttercup
Hall. Lady Grogram was a great friend of hers, and was first cousin to
that Mrs. Talbot who had a son at the school. Lady Grogram was an old
woman of strong mind but small means, who was supposed to be potential
over those connected with her. Mrs. Stantiloup feared that she could not
be efficacious herself, either with Mr. or Mrs. Talbot; but she hoped that
she might carry her purpose through Lady Grogram. It may be remembered
that she had declared at Buttercup Hall that young Talbot was not to go
back to Bowick. But this had been a figure of speech, as has been already
explained:--

"MY DEAR LADY GROGRAM,--Since I got your last letter I have been staying
with the Momsons at Buttercup. It was awfully dull. He and she are, I
think, the stupidest people that ever I met. None of those Momsons have
an idea among them. They are just as heavy and inharmonious as their
name. Lady Margaret was one of the party. She would have been better,
only that our excellent Bishop was there too, and Lady Margaret thought it
well to show off all her graces before the Bishop and the Bishop's wife.
I never saw such a dowdy in all my life as Mrs. Rolland. He is all very
well, and looks at any rate like a gentleman. It was, I take it, that
which got him his diocese. They say the Queen saw him once, and was taken
by his manners.

"But I did one good thing at Buttercup. I got Mr. Momson to promise that
that boy of his should not go back to Bowick. Dr. Wortle has become quite
intolerable. I think he is determined to show that whatever he does,
people shall put up with it. It is not only the most expensive
establishment of the kind in all England, but also the worst conducted.
You know, of course, how all this matter about that woman stands now. She
is remaining there at Bowick, absolutely living in the house, calling
herself Mrs. Peacocke, while the man she was living with has gone off with
her brother-in-law to look for her husband! Did you ever hear of such a
mess as that?

"And the Doctor expects that fathers and mothers will still send their
boys to such a place as that? I am very much mistaken if he will not find
it altogether deserted before Christmas. Lord Carstairs is already gone."
[This was at any rate disingenuous, as she had been very severe when at
Buttercup on all the Carstairs family because of their declared and
perverse friendship for the Doc