“It was very nice your asking us first, and alone,” said the duchess. “It was very nice in your coming, dear duchess,” said Lothair, “and most kind—as you ever are to me.” “Duke of Brecon is coming to you on Thursday,” said the duke; “he told me so at White’s.” “Perhaps you would like to know, duchess, whom you are going to meet,” said Lothair. “I should much like to hear. Pray tell us.” “It is a rather formidable array,” said Lothair, and he took out a paper. “First, there are all the notables of the county. I do not know any of them personally, so I wrote to each of them a letter, as well as sending them a formal invitation. I thought that was right.” “Quite right,” said the duchess. “Nothing could be more proper.” “Well, the first person, of course, is the lord-lieutenant. He is coming.” “By-the-by, let me see, who is your lord-lieutenant?” said the duke. “Lord Agramont.” “To be sure. I was at college with him; a very good fellow; but I have never met him since, except once at Boodle’s; and I never saw a man so red and gray, and I remember him such a good-looking fellow! He must have lived immensely in the country, and never thought of his person,” said the duke in a tone of pity, and playing with his mustache. “Is there a Lady Agramont?” inquired the duchess. “Oh, yes! and she also honors me with her presence,” said Lothair. “And who was Lady Agramont?” “Oh! his cousin,” said the duke. “The Agramonts always marry their cousins. His father did the same thing. They are so shy. It is a family that never was in society, and never will be. I was at Agramont Castle once when I was at college, and I never shall forget it. We used to sit down forty or fifty every day to dinner, entirely maiden aunts and clergymen, and that sort of thing. However, I shall be truly glad to see Agramont again, for, notwithstanding all these disadvantages, he is a thoroughly good fellow.” “Then there is the high-sheriff,” continued Lothair; “and both the county members and their wives; and Mrs. High-Sheriff too. I believe there is some tremendous question respecting the precedency of this lady. There is no doubt that, in the county, the high-sheriff takes precedence of every one, even of the lord-lieutenant; but how about his wife? Perhaps your grace could aid me? Mr. Putney Giles said he would write about it to the Heralds’ College.” “I should give her the benefit of any doubt,” said the duchess. “And then our bishop is coming;” said Lothair. “Oh! I am so glad you have asked the bishop,” said Lady Corisande. “There could be no doubt about it,” said Lothair. “I do not know how his lordship will get on with one of my guardians, the cardinal; but his eminence is not here in a priestly character; and, as for that, there is less chance of his differing with the cardinal than with my other guardian Lord Culloden, who is a member of the Free Kirk.” “Is Lord Culloden coming?” said the duchess.