Miss Clara Smithson and Miss Polly Popple, on the other hand, who were, as the whole of the Bond Street establishment knew, that devoted to their dear, darling Miss Pounce that they were as glad of her happiness in the depths of their feeling hearts as if it had been their own, could not, of course, be omitted from the list of guests; and indeed, it may be said that Lydia’s only consolation on a day, which was otherwise unmitigatedly displeasing to her, was the opportunity which the presence of these females gave her of discharging her bosom of some of its accumulated gall. When all her company had departed, my Lady owned that she was tired, and Lydia was very plainly given to understand that she must not presume upon a relationship, which was, to say the least of it, ridiculous. Lydia had made herself far finer than the bride, and Kitty thought it prodigious bad taste in her to be so ruffled and flounced and panniered. “And the shade of lavender you’ve chosen, Lydia, positive sets my teeth on edge, and I should have thought you’d have known better than to rouge yourself up, till anyone would take my own woman for an actress, and a low one at that.” “Well, then, I’m sure, your Ladyship,” retorted Lydia with spirit, “not having any acquaintance with such females, save your Ladyship’s own dear friend, my Lady Mandeville (who would have looked better for a bit of colour to-day), it wouldn’t become me to set myself up against your Ladyship’s opinion in the matter; but considering the practice I’ve had on your Ladyship it’s to be hoped I’d know how to put on the rouge, if I don’t show it off as well as your Ladyship, not being so full in the face. And I’m sorry your Ladyship ain’t satisfied with the hue of my gown, it being one of her own presents to me, Christmas five years that was. And indeed,” went on Lydia, “I never could abide it myself, but since it was when your Ladyship went sudden out of mourning for old Mr. Bellairs, and she didn’t know what to do with the eight yards of taffety, I couldn’t be so disobliging as not to make the best of them. And indeed, considering the occasion to-day I thought they fitted in uncommon apt.” “Dear, to be sure!” cried Kitty, sinking into a chair. “What a tongue you have! ’Tis to be hoped it isn’t a family failing or else my poor dear Bellairs’s nephew, the last of his name, will have a sad time of it.”