"My dear Lady Delville," said Constance, suddenly turning her bright countenance on the countess with an expression of delighted surprise, "will you forgive me?--I never dreamed before that you were so charming a person! I never conceal my sentiments: and I own with regret and shame that, till this moment, I had never seen in your mind--whatever I might in your person--those claims to admiration which were constantly dinned into my ear." Lady Delville actually coloured. "Pray," continued Constance, "condescend to permit me to a nearer acquaintance. Will you dine with us on Thursday?--we shall have only nine persons beside yourself: but they are the nine persons whom I most esteem and admire." Lady Delville accepted the invitation. From that hour, Lady Delville--who had at first resented, from the deepest recess of her heart, Constance Vernon's accession to rank and wealth,--who, had Constance deferred to her early acquaintance, would have always found something in her she could have affected to despise; from that hour, Lady Delville was the warmest advocate, and a little time after, the sincerest follower, of the youthful countess. CHAPTER XXIII. AN INSIGHT INTO THE REAL GRANDE MONDE;--BEING A SEARCH BEHIND THE ROSE-COLOURED CURTAINS. The time we now speak of was the most brilliant the English world, during the last half century, has known. Lord Byron was in his brief and dazzling zenith; De Stael was in London; the Peace had turned the attention of rich idlers to social enjoyment and to letters. There was an excitement, and a brilliancy, and a spirituality, about our circles, which we do not recognise now. Never had a young and ambitious woman--a beauty and a genius--a finer moment for the commencement of her power. It was Constance's early and bold resolution to push to the utmost--even to exaggeration--a power existing in all polished states, but now mostly in this,--the power of fashion! This mysterious and subtle engine she was eminently skilled to move according to her will. Her intuitive penetration into character, her tact, and her grace, were exactly the talents Fashion most demands; and they were at present devoted only to that sphere. The rudeness that she mingled, at times, with the bewitching softness and ease of manner she could command at others, increased the effect of her power. It is much to intimidate as well as to win. And her rudeness in a very little while grew popular; for it was never exercised but on those whom the world loves to see humbled. Modest merit in any rank; and even insolence, if accompanied with merit, were always safe from her satire. It was the hauteur of foolish duchesses or purse-proud roturiers that she loved, and scrupled not, to abase.