,--she, Lady George Germain, who the other day was Mary Lovelace,
the Brotherton girl,--should stand up and make a speech! "There is to
be a vote of thanks to Miss Mildmay as Chairwoman," said the
bald-headed old man, "and we hope, Lady George, that you will favour us
with a few words."

Her heart utterly gave way and the blood flew into her cheeks, and she
thoroughly repented of having come to this dreadful place. She knew
that she could not do it, though the world were to depend upon it; but
she did not know whether the bald-headed old gentleman might not have
the right of insisting on it. And then all the people were looking at
her as the horrible old man was pressing his request over her shoulder.
"Oh," she said; "no, I can't. Pray don't. Indeed I can't,--and I
won't." The idea had come upon her that it was necessary that she
should be very absolute. The old man retired meekly, and himself made
the speech in honour of Aunt Ju.

As they were going away Lady George found that she was to have the
honour of conveying the Baroness to her lodgings in Conduit Street.
This was all very well, as there was room for three in the brougham,
and she was not ill-pleased to hear the ecstasies of Aunt Ju about the
lecture. Aunt Ju declared that she had agreed with every word that had
been uttered. Aunt Ju thought that the cause was flourishing. Aunt Ju
was of opinion that women in England would before long be able to sit
in Parliament and practice in the Law Courts. Aunt Ju was thoroughly in
earnest; but the Baroness had expended her energy in the lecture, and
was more inclined to talk about persons. Lady George was surprised to
hear her say that this young man was a very handsome young man, and
that old man a very nice old man. She was almost in love with Mr.
Spuffin, the bald-headed gentleman usher; and when she was particular
in asking whether Mr. Spuffin was married, Lady George could hardly
think that this was the woman who had been so eloquent on the
"infairiority of de tyrant saix."

But it was not till Aunt Ju had been dropped in Green Street, and the
conversation fell upon Lady George herself, that the difficulty began.
"You no speak?" asked the Baroness.

"What, in public! Not for the world!"

"You wrong dere. Noting so easy. Say just as you please, only say it
vera loud. And alvays abuse somebody or someting. You s'ould try."

"I would sooner die," said Lady George. "Indeed, I should be dead
before I could utter a