Under these circumstances Lady Glenmore first listened to Mr. Leslie Winyard; and that advantage once gained, he had art enough to avail himself of it as a step towards intimacy. In a very short space of time, he so far succeeded as to raise at least a _bruit sourd_ of his being _l'objet préféré_; an idea which at this period, could any real friend of Lady Glenmore's have suggested to her, she would have started from with indignation; but as it was, she continued laughing and talking on the present occasion with Mr. Leslie Winyard. Had she overheard the observations made upon her by various persons, more particularly those of Lady De Chere and Lord Boileau, she might have learned a lesson which she was destined to buy at a higher price. "Well, for a _debutante_," said Lord Boileau, "I think _la petite_ Georgina has made considerable progress in her career. And how does Glenmore take it?" "Oh!" replied Lady De Chere, "as every one does what they cannot help, I suppose. Besides, doubtless, he has other things to think of, and must feel glad to have escaped her childish fondness: it must have been exceedingly tiresome; and, after all, the sooner a matrimonial understanding is settled upon a right and proper footing, the better for both parties." "Very true, Lady De Chere; and nobody settles those matters so well as yourself; you are a model for all married ladies; so much _retenu_, so much _bienséance_, and such a lady-like way of doing exactly what you choose, and allowing De Chere to do the same. It is the only way for married persons to be comfortable, or _comme il faut_." "I am glad you think so, for that has long ago been Lady Boileau's opinion," replied Lady De Chere, with one of her most contumelious smiles, and left Lord Boileau to the satisfaction of his reflections on domestic happiness. "Pardon me," said Lord Baskerville, gently pulling him aside, and conducting the Comtesse Leinsengen to the other apartment, "but _en qualité de preux_, hem! I must be permitted to say, _Place aux dames_--a-hem!" "Oh! my reveries," rejoined Lord Boileau, "were on very every-day topics; they can be resumed at any time; and I am happy in the honour of--"