_Lady Culverin._ _Rupert!_ As if I could suggest such a thing to the Bishop! I suppose she'd better go in with Lord Lullington--he's Lord Lieutenant--and then it won't matter if she _does_ advocate Disestablishment. Oh, but I forgot; she thinks the House of Lords ought to be abolished _too_! _Sir Rupert._ Whoever takes Rohesia in is likely to have a time of it. Talked poor Cantire into his tomb a good ten years before he was due there. Always lecturing, and domineering, and laying down the law, as long as _I_ can remember her. Can't stand Rohesia--never could! _Lady Culverin._ I don't think you ought to say so, really, Rupert. And I'm sure _I_ get on very well with her--generally. _Sir Rupert._ Because you knock under to her. _Lady Culverin._ I'm sure I don't, Rupert--at least, no more than everybody else. Dear Rohesia is so strong-minded and advanced and all that, she takes such an interest in all the new movements and things, that she can't understand contradiction; she is so democratic in her ideas, don't you know. _Sir Rupert._ Didn't prevent her marrying Cantire. And a democratic Countess--it's downright unnatural! _Lady Culverin._ She believes it's her duty to set an example and meet the People half-way. That reminds me--did I tell you Mr. Clarion Blair is coming down this evening, too?--only till Monday, Rupert. _Sir Rupert._ Clarion Blair! never heard of him. _Lady Culverin._ I suppose I forgot. Clarion Blair isn't his _real_ name, though; it's only a--an alias. _Sir Rupert._ Don't see what any fellow wants with an alias. What _is_ his real name? _Lady Culverin._ Well, I know it was _something_ ending in "ell," but I mislaid his letter. Still, Clarion Blair is the name he writes under; he's a poet, Rupert, and quite celebrated, so I'm told. _Sir Rupert_ (_uneasily_). A poet! What on earth possessed you to ask a literary fellow down _here_? Poetry isn't much in our way; and a poet _will_ be, confoundedly! [Illustration: "WHAT ON EARTH POSSESSED YOU TO ASK A LITERARY FELLOW DOWN HERE?"] _Lady Culverin._ I really couldn't help it, Rupert. Rohesia insisted on my having him to meet her. She likes meeting clever and interesting people. And this Mr. Blair, it seems, has just written a volume of verses which are finer than anything that's been done since--well, for _ages_! _Sir Rupert._ What sort of verses? _Lady Culverin._ Well, they're charmingly bound. I've got the book in the house, somewhere. Rohesia told me to send for it; but I haven't had time to read it yet. _Sir Rupert._ Shouldn't be surprised if Rohesia hadn't, either. _Lady Culverin._ At all events, she's heard it talked about. The young man's verses have made quite a sensation; they're so dreadfully clever and revolutionary, and morbid and pessimistic, and all that, so she made me promise to ask him down here to meet her! _Sir Rupert._ Devilish thoughtful of her.