“Then, my dear lord, will you place confidence in my discretion? I promise you, if you will leave me undisturbed in my own plans, that Lady Delville shall be the most devoted of your party before the season is half over: but then, the means will not be those you advise.” “Why, I advised none.” “Yes--civility; a very poor policy.” “D--n it, Constance! why, you would not frown a great person like Lady Delville into affection for us?” “Leave it to me.” “Nonsense!” “My dear lord, only try. Three months is all I ask. You will leave the management of politics to me ever afterwards! I was born a schemer. Am I not John Vernon’s daughter?” “Well, well, do as you will,” said Lord Erpingham; “but I see how it will end. However, you will call on Lady Delville to-day?” “If you wish it, certainly.” “I do.” Lady Delville was a proud, great lady; not very much liked and not so often invited by her equals as if she had been agreeable and a flirt. Constance knew with whom she had to treat. She called on Lady Delville that day. Lady Delville was at home: a pretty and popular Mrs. Trevor was with her. Lady Delville received her coolly--Constance was haughtiness itself. “You go to the Duchess of Daubigny’s to-night?” said Lady Delville in the course of their broken conversation. “Indeed I do not. I like agreeable society. It shall be my object to form a circle that not one displeasing person shall obtain access to. Will you assist me, my dear Mrs. Trevor?”--and Constance turned, with her softest smile, to the lady she addressed. Mrs. Trevor was flattered: Lady Delville drew herself up. “It is a small party at the duchess’s,” said the latter; “merely to meet the Duke and Duchess of C----.” “Ah, few people are capable of giving a suitable entertainment to the royal family.” “But surely none more so than the Duchess of Daubigny--her house so large, her rank so great!” “These are but poor ingredients towards the forming of an agreeable party,” said Constance, coldly. “The mistake made by common minds is to suppose titles the only rank. Royal dukes love, above all other persons, to be amused; and amusement is the last thing generally provided for them.” The conversation fell into other channels. Constance rose to depart. She warmly pressed the hand of Mrs. Trevor, whom she had only seen once before. “A few persons come to me to-morrow evening,” said she; “_do_ waive ceremony, and join us. I can promise you that not one disagreeable person shall be present; and that the Duchess of Daubigny shall write for an invitation and be refused.” Mrs. Trevor accepted the invitation. Lady Delville was enraged beyond measure. Never was female tongue more bitter than hers at the expense of that insolent Lady Erpingham! Yet Lady Delville was secretly in grief; for the first time in her life, she was hurt at not having been asked to a party: and being hurt because she was not going, she longed most eagerly to go.