"Oh, certainly I shall go," replied the latter, "for it is absolutely necessary you know, my dear Comtesse, that some of us should be there; and besides I am of opinion that as people must have something to keep them quiet, and which _they think recherché_, Almack's is as good as any thing else, and therefore I shall support it--In regard to _us_, I agree perfectly with you, it is _passée_, and no longer what was intended." The Comtesse shrugged her shoulders: "You will be at Almack's to-night," said Lady Tilney, turning to Lord Albert D'Esterre, "although we are giving it such a bad name, will you not?" "Your hours of admission are limited you know, and I scarcely think I can get away in time from ----" "There is no debate of consequence, is there?" rejoined Lady Tilney with earnestness--"I may forget, but should there be, of course----" "I did not mean from the house," continued Lord Albert, "but I am going to dine where I shall meet Baron H.; I have known him on the continent, and his conversation is so very interesting."--"And so very long," added the Comtesse Leinsengen, interrupting him, and with a look which was intended to repay many discussions she had been constrained to endure at Lady Tilney's hands; "I wonder he ever finds people to listen to him."--"But where do you dine," said Lady Tilney, seeming to disregard the opinion just uttered. "I know Barnette, and he is very agreeable, very clever, but I wonder he allows himself to be so _fétéd_ by people so little known in the world. I shall be happy, I am sure--" "I am to meet him at the Miss D.'s," replied Lord Albert, interrupting her, and who felt that _this_ was the point he was called upon to answer, and not that of who were or who were not known in Lady Tilney's estimation. "And do you really visit them?" said the latter with great surprise, "are you not _ennuyé_ to death at their parties?" "_Ennuyé!_ no--but then I must premise that I never am so under any circumstances." "Ah, _bon!_ do tell me how that is, Milor," said the Comtesse Leinsengen, "precisely, do tell me how you avoid infection from dat prevalent disease of your island, dat _bore_ you call it." "Oh, I always do what I like," replied Lord Albert with a smile. "Cela ne fait rien à l'affaire, one do not always know vat von like." "I have nothing to reply to that; but for myself, if I do not find exactly what I like I always endeavour to extract entertainment from the persons or place, where, or with whom I may chance to be." "Par exemple, at the Miss D.'s, what can you find at their horrible conversaziones to keep you awake," asked Lady Tilney, "c'est un ennui à périr, it makes me yawn to think of it." "Oh, he goes to do penance for his sins, and purchase indulgence for dose to come, n'est ce pas, Milor?" "Neither, I assure you; I was really more entertained during a _soirée_ there last week than I have been since my return to England."