But Lady Tilney did not read these words otherwise than in the sense to which they were agreeable to her, and immediately her hitherto repressed eloquence broke forth. "Have you read the Male Coquet? Do tell me, is it not exquisite? Among all the trash heaped upon people of fashion, this alone is well done. It must be confessed that, in spite of its severity, the whole is well drawn, and though highly coloured, not a daub." "Yes, I have read it, and I like it; but the world don't." "No! well I cannot conceive why--perhaps you can tell me.--Not like it! indeed you surprise me! Why, it has already gone through three editions." "Yes, in the advertisements! but they say the publisher is ruined, nevertheless." "Well! that is quite extraordinary! I thought all the world approved it." "The world!--the world, my dear Lady Tilney, is a very ill-natured world, though you have never found it so; but you will some day." "Oh, do not imagine," cried Lady Tilney, a little displeased at her supposed want of discernment, "do not suppose that I am not quite aware of the world's ill-nature--only--" "Only you are bound, my dear friend, to suppose it otherwise, since, in its opinion of you, it does indeed make an exception." "You know I hate flattery, Mr. Ombre."--"Well, well, I have done; but in some cases, what appears flattery, is truth. Besides, I never _do flatter_." "Come, come," said Lady Tilney, "never mind! let us return to the Male Coquet, I have not half done talking about it. What do you think of the character of Lord Algernon, is it not delightful, is it not quite perfect?--And for that very reason, quite detestable." "My dear lady, I never knew but one perfect person in the world whom I could bear; do you guess who I mean?" "Dear me, are you still here?" said Lady Ellersby, approaching at the moment. "Yes--you know when those royalties _will_ talk to one, it is impossible to get away."--"Ah, true--and it is so fatiguing."--"Royalties--dose royalties, and you mind _dem_?" said the Comtesse Leinsengen, who had caught Lady Tilney's words as she passed, leaning on the arm of the Minister for Foreign Affairs. "My dear Lady Tilney, I wonder to see _you_ here--but you always do de reverse of what you talk, you know--I tell your so." Lady Tilney was embarrassed, and looked around for an escape from the conversation. She saw the half-formed sentence preparing by Lord Rainham; which, however, she knew must undergo the necessary process of preorganization and arrangement before it was addressed to her. Luckily the Comtesse Leinsengen pressed forward before this could take place, and Lady Tilney, to avoid any more sarcasm on her inconsistency, willingly allowed for once the witty Lord to pass without a word. Mr. Ombre, who was still by her side, and had lost nothing of the scene, gave his word of consolation to Lady Tilney, as he remarked: