"--Aunt Hepsibah and her niece Jane... County family. Redooced, but proud. `A lace shawl,' says Auntie, `is _always_ le mode! And Jane shall wear my bertha.' ... Mrs Ponsonby de Tompkins. Left cards regularly for years past, angling for an invitation, and at long last one arrived. A handsome new dress for the occasion! The very _best_ satin, and everything to match, Husband excepted! Ponsonby wishes to goodness he'd never come! ... Rich Mr Stock-broker on the point of proposing to Emily Maud. Emily'll have him. Observe the smirk! I _always_ refuse men who propose to me at garden parties... Ha! whom have we here? Looks like a Duchess, but probably is _not_. Old lady in puce probably _is_, and has no right to be... Long-haired pus-son probably an Anabaptist, or a Poet, or something of that ilk." "It's all very well, but I want to _know_!" objected Katrine in tones of strong disapproval. "It's the dullest thing in the world to be surrounded by celebrities, and not to recognise a single one. Martin goes about so little that he is no use as a guide. The dozens and dozens of interesting invitations which he has refused these last years! I think he might introduce us to some of his friends who _do_ know! It's the literary people who interest me most. And the artists. It's too tiresome!" "Keep calm, Sweet One! We'll ask him when he comes back, and," Grizel smiled, a slow, sweet smile, "_I_ might know one or two myself! If we sit here patiently, some one is sure to pass. I'll keep a bright look-out." "Oh, do! Yes, of course, you meet all kinds of people. I've lived in a rut. Grizel, do you know, I'm getting _tired_!"