_Lady Cantire._ Probably they would, Albinia. It is most unlikely that they would care to hear anything more intellectual and instructive than the sound of their own voices. _Miss Spelwane._ I _told_ Lady Lullington that I was afraid you would think it a bore, Lady Cantire. _Lady Cantire._ You are perfectly mistaken, Miss Spelwane. I flatter myself I am quite as capable of appreciating a literary privilege as anybody here. But I cannot answer for its being so acceptable to the majority. _Lady Culverin._ No, it wouldn't do at all. And it would be making this young man so _much_ too conspicuous. _Lady Cantire._ You are talking nonsense, my dear. When you are fortunate enough to secure a celebrity at Wyvern, you can't make him _too_ conspicuous. I never knew that Laura Lullington had any taste for literature before, but there's something to be said for her suggestion--if it can be carried out; it would at least provide a welcome relief from the usual after-dinner dullness of this sort of gathering. _Miss Spelwane._ Then--would _you_ ask him, Lady Cantire? _Lady Cantire._ I, my dear? You forget that _I_ am not hostess here. My sister-in-law is the proper person to do that. _Lady Culverin._ Indeed I couldn't. But perhaps, Vivien, if you liked to suggest it to him, he might---- _Miss Spelwane._ I'll try, dear Lady Culverin. And if my poor little persuasions have no effect, I shall fall back on Lady Cantire, and then he _can't_ refuse. I must go and tell dear Lady Lullington--she'll be so pleased! (_To herself, as she skims away._) I generally _do_ get my own way. But I mean him to do it to please _Me_! _Lady Cantire_ (_to herself_). I must say that girl is very much improved in manner since I last saw anything of her. _Mrs. Chatteris_ (_a little later, to_ Lady MAISIE). Have you heard what a treat is in store for us? That delightful Mr. Spurrell is going to give us a reading or a recitation, or something, from his own poems; at least Miss Spelwane is to ask him as soon as the men come in. Only _I_ should have thought that he would be much more likely to consent if _you_ asked him. _Lady Maisie._ Would you? I'm sure I don't know why. _Mrs. Chatteris_ (_archly_). Oh, he took me in to dinner, you know, and it's quite wonderful how people confide in me, but I suppose they feel I can be trusted. He mentioned a little fact, which gave me the impression that a certain fair lady's wishes would be supreme with him. _Lady Maisie_ (_to herself_). The wretch! He _has_ been boasting of my unfortunate letter! (_Aloud._) Mr. Spurrell had no business to give you any impression of the kind. And the mere fact that I--that I happened to admire his verses---- _Mrs. Chatteris._ Exactly! Poets' heads are so easily turned; and, as I said to Captain Thicknesse---- _Lady Maisie._ Captain Thicknesse! You have been talking about it--to _him_!