_Lady Culv._ But, my dear ROHESIA, you must allow that, whatever his talents may be, he is not--well, not _quite_ one of Us. Now, _is_ he? _Lady Cant._ (_blandly_). My dear, I never heard he had any connection with the manufacture of chemical manures, in which your worthy Papa so greatly distinguished himself--if _that_ is what you mean. _Lady Culv._ (_with some increase of colour_). That is _not_ what I meant, ROHESIA--as you know perfectly well. And I do say that this Mr. SPURRELL'S manner is most objectionable; when he's not obsequious, he's horribly familiar! _Lady Cant._ (_sharply_). I have not observed it. He strikes me as well enough--for that class of person. And it is intellect, soul, all that kind of thing that _I_ value. I look _below_ the surface, and I find a great deal that is very original and charming in this young man. And surely, my dear, if I find myself able to associate with him, _you_ need not be so fastidious! I consider him my _protégé_, and I won't have him slighted. He is far too good for VIVIEN SPELWANE! _Lady Culv._ (_with just a suspicion of malice_). Perhaps, ROHESIA, you would like him to take _you_ in? _Lady Cant._ That, of course, is quite out of the question. I see you have given me the Bishop--he's a poor, dry stick of a man--never forgets he was the Headmaster of Swisham--but he's always glad to meet _me_. I freshen him up so. _Lady Culv._ I really don't know whom I _can_ give Mr. SPURRELL. There's RHODA COKAYNE, but she's not poetical, and she'll get on much better with ARCHIE BEARPARK. Oh, I forgot Mrs. BROOKE-CHATTERIS--she's sure to _talk_, at all events. _Lady Cant._ (_as she corrects the list_). A lively, agreeable woman--she'll amuse him. _Now_ you can give RUPERT the list. [Sir RUPERT _and various members of the house-party appear one by one;_ Lord _and_ Lady LULLINGTON, _the_ Bishop of BIRCHESTER _and_ Mrs. RODNEY, _and_ Mr. and Mrs. EARWAKER, _and_ Mr. SHORTHORN _are announced at intervals; salutations, recognitions, and commonplaces are exchanged_. _Lady Cant._ (_later--to the_ Bishop, _genially_). Ah, my dear Dr. RODNEY, you and I haven't met since we had our great battle about--now, was it the necessity of throwing open the Public Schools to the lower classes--for whom of course they were originally _intended_--or was it the failure of the Church to reach the Working Man? I really forget. _The Bishop_ (_who has a holy horror of the_ Countess). I--ah--fear I cannot charge my memory so precisely, my dear Lady CANTIRE. We--ah--differ unfortunately on so many subjects. I trust, however, we may--ah--agree to suspend hostilities on this occasion? _Lady Cant._ (_with even more bonhomie_). Don't be too sure of _that_, Bishop. I've several crows to pluck with you, and we are to go in to dinner together, you know!