"How appropriate to the situation which he fills;--the ready orator, the decided projector of measures and expedients,--how truly great a minister! You know, Lady Tilney, I never flatter. I really think so." Lady Tilney had no wish to continue the subject, and turning to Lady Ellersby, remarked, "Did you ever see such jewels as the Duchess of Hermanton's? How vulgar to wear them in such quantities; she is like a walking chandelier. But, look, there is Lord Arlingford; he is coming this way--I want to speak to him, and if you move a step or two forward, I shall be able to do so." Lord Arlingford was accordingly arrested on his passage, for he had not intended to converse with Lady Tilney, but was looking on towards a group of persons, in the midst of whom stood the Duchess of Hermanton. "Well, Lord Arlingford, how surprised I am to see _you_ here; are you not bored to death?" "Why, Lady Tilney," he asked, in return, "should you be surprised to see me in an assembly to which half London is invited?" "That is precisely the reason," she replied, "I should have thought you never went to these sort of things; they are very tiresome, and I am sure you must be dreadfully annoyed." Lord Arlingford was not an apt _élève_ of Lady Tilney's, although his high rank and connexions had made her sedulously endeavour to direct his education in the world of _ton_ from his very first _début_. "Pardon me, not in the least _ennuyé_. I do not come often enough, or remain long enough in these places, to be sickened by the shew--and _as_ a shew, it is a very splendid one, and I like to see so much beauty as is here to-night gather together." "Fewer at a time," said Lady Tilney, "would be more agreeable, I should think." "Perhaps so, for habitual private society; but then that is quite another affair: all things are good in their way, and in their proper season and measure." Lady Tilney was mortified at this very rational distinction of the indocile Lord, but went on to say, "At least you will allow that a circle more _choisie_ is preferable--and one comes to this sort of mob only as a kind of disagreeable duty."--"Duty! that is quite a new idea of duty to me--but I am happy to be taught by so fair an instructress." As he spoke, Lord Arlingford's grave countenance (for it was a countenance of gravity for so young a man) relaxed into something like vivacity; and Lady Tilney, profiting by the momentary gleam of expression, requested him to assist her through the crowd, in order that she might speak to the Duchess of Hermanton. "You will come, will you not, Lady Ellersby?" turning her head over her shoulder as she spoke.