“_Coup d’état_? you, Cecilia! my dear--” “I, Helen, little as you think of me.” “Of your political talents you don’t expect me to think much, do you?” “My political talents! you shall see what they are. I am capable of a grand _coup d’état_. I will have next week a three days’ congress, anti-political, at Clarendon Park, where not a word of politics shall be heard, nor any thing but nonsense if I can help it, and the result shall be, as you shall see, goodwill between all men and all women--women? yes, there’s the grand point. Mamma has so affronted two ladies, very influential as they call it, each--Lady Masham, a favourite at court, and Lady Bearcroft, risen from the ranks, on her husband’s shoulders; he, ‘a man of law,’ Sir Benjamin Bearcroft, and very clever she is I hear, but loud and coarse; absolutely inadmissible she was thought till lately, and now, only tolerated for her husband’s sake, but still have her here I must.” “I think you had better not,” remonstrated Helen; “if she is so very vulgar, Lady Davenant and the general will never endure her.” “Oh, he will! the general will bear a great deal for mamma’s sake, and more for papa’s. I must have her, my dear, for the husband is of consequence and, though he is ashamed of her, for that very reason he cannot bear that any body should neglect her, and terribly mamma has neglected her! Now, my dear Helen, do not say a word more against it.” Very few words had Helen said. “I must ponder well,” continued Cecilia, “and make out my list of worthies, my concordatum party.”