Lady Selina, with one of those sublime looks of celestial pity with which personages in the great world forgive ignorance of names and genealogies in those not born within its orbit, replied, "Oh, to be sure: it is not exactly in the way of your delightful art to know Mr. Darrell, one of the first men in Parliament, a connection of mine."
Lady Frost (nippingly). "You mean Guy Darrell, the lawyer."
Lady Selina. "Lawyer—true, now I think of it, he was a lawyer. But his chief fame was in the House of Commons. All parties agreed that he might have commanded any station; but he was too rich, perhaps, to care sufficiently about office. At all events, Parliament was dissolved when he was at the height of his reputation, and he refused to be re-elected."
One Sir Jasper Stollhead (a member of the House of Commons, young, wealthy, a constant attendant, of great promise, with speeches that were filled with facts, and emptied the benches). "I have heard of him. Before my time; lawyers not much weight in the House now."
Lady Selina. "I am told that Mr. Darrell did not speak like a lawyer. But his career is over—lives in the country, and sees nobody—a thousand pities—a connection of mine, too—great loss to the country. Ask your young friend, Mr. Vance, if Mr. Darrell is not his relation. I hope so, for his sake. Now that our party is in power, Mr. Darrell could command any thing for others, though he has ceased to act with us. Our party is not forgetful of talents."
Lady Frost (with icy crispness). "I should think not; it has so little of that kind to remember."
Sir Jasper. "Talent is not wanted in the House of Commons now—don't go down, in fact. Business assembly."
Lady Selina (suppressing a yawn). "Beautiful day! We had better think of going back to Richmond."
General assent, and slow retreat.
CHAPTER XV.
From the dusty height of a rumble-tumble affixed to Lady Selina Vipont's barouche, and by the animated side of Sir Jasper
