III.
RETRIBUTION.
In future I am going to be careful what I do. I am also—and this is by no means less important—going to be very careful what Miss Dolly Foster does. Everybody knows (if I may quote her particular friend Nellie Phaeton) that dear Dolly means no harm, but she is 'just a little harumscarum.' I thanked Miss Phaeton for the expression.
The fact is that 'old Lady M.' (here I quote Miss Dolly) sent for me the other day. I have not the honour of knowing the Countess, and I went in some trepidation. When I was ushered in, Lady Mickleham put up her 'starers.' (You know those abominations! Pince-nez with long torture—I mean tortoise—shell handles.)
'Mr.—er—Carter?' said she.
I bowed. I would have denied it if I could.
'My dears!' said Lady Mickleham.
Upon this five young ladies who had been sitting in five straight-backed chairs, doing five pieces of embroidery, rose, bowed, and filed out of the room. I felt very nervous. A pause
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