‘Yes we all have felt that. I believe it is the strongest passion of the human race to get at “something different”; it is the secret of all sin, the secret of all progress.’ ‘And it is the function of society to suppress this tendency,’ said Lady Kirkdale. ‘It crystallises, I may say sanctifies, the present state of things. “Whatever is, is right” must be the ostensible motto of those who would retain their places in it. It is the solid edifice round which an empire is gathered.’ ‘The solid centre of a very wobbling circumference,’ interrupted Mr. Clausen. ‘Mr. Travers was saying that the beautiful was only a veil to cover the ridiculous. It seems to me that in the same way the stupidity of society is concealed by hiding it behind very high walls,’ murmured Geraldine, as she leaned her head on the broad back of the Chesterfield sofa. ‘There you are wrong; those high walls contain everything. There is nothing without that is not within; the only difference is that people in society keep within bounds, others do not.’ ‘That is a great deal to be thankful for,’ said Lady Kirkdale. ‘I once had to go down to Richmond by the last underground train from Hampstead on a Saturday night. I have had a good deal of experience, but never have I witnessed such a pandemonium. I would not enter one of those underground stations, when the rabble is at large, to save a hundred pounds.’ ‘All vice loses its attraction when it is seen from the outside,’ said Mr. Clausen. ‘Has vice any attraction?’ asked Geraldine. ‘Not to the refined or cultivated pleasure-seeker, but the crude youngster often finds himself thoroughly enjoying the most vulgar vices: it is only after being repeatedly shocked at the appearance of other people when they are enjoying similar ecstasies that our cultivated perceptions render us incapable of revelling in the ridiculous.’ ‘Ah, how true! nothing excites virtue so much as the spectacle of other people’s vices,’ said Lady Kirkdale. ‘It is the last rope thrown out by Providence to save us from our sins,’ replied Mr. Clausen. ‘How curious it would be,’ said Geraldine, ‘if the next Saviour of the world should be one who would bestow a universal sense of humour!’ ‘But nobody is so ridiculous as a humorist,’ cried Lady Kirkdale. ‘One can forgive anything when it is done with deliberate intent,’ was Mr. Clausen’s rejoinder, ‘but other people’s instinctive emotions can never be forgiven, unless we happen to share them.’ ‘So you think we might be redeemed by a humorist.’ ‘He certainly should have a trial. Lady Geraldine, here is a chance for you--start in life as the high priestess of humour.’ ‘I am not old enough, Mr. Clausen; I am afraid I have not worn out my instinctive emotions yet.’ ‘Ah, well! when you have, you will know where to fly for refuge.’ Lady Kirkdale sighed, and said, ‘I suppose our most lasting delusion is that our experiences can be of service to others.’