"To so little purpose," said the Comtesse Leinsengen sharply; "for, after all, de public of your nation are a great deal too _revêche_ to let any one person lead dem about _à droite et à gauche_. Much better it is to cut de matter short, to have one's own _société_, and never care what any body says or does or tinks. Please oneself one's own way, dat is de true liberty. But dat ladi has so _many fire-irons_ all going at once, some of dem must fail, and den she is out of humour." There was a general smile at what the comtesse had said; and they all enjoyed hearing Lady Tilney found fault with, though no one exactly chose to be the person who should hazard such an opinion. "Ah! comtesse," observed Lady Boileau, "you are the most amusing person in the world." "_Seulement parce que je suis la plus franche_," she replied; and kissing her hand to Lady Ellersby, glided out of the room. "If she had said _brusque_, instead of _franche_," cried Lady De Chere, "she would have been nearer the truth." "Eh, eh, eh!" laughed Lady Ellersby, as she observed, "Perhaps so; but it is like smelling salts to hear her remarks; and really I do not know what I should do without something pungent now and then to keep me awake." "Besides," rejoined Lady Boileau, "we have all our own particular meanings for particular phrases; and Comtesse Leinsengen is not the only person who gives her own meaning to a phrase which, in its general acceptation, is of quite a different import. Don't you agree with me, Lady De Chere?" "May be so. But in as far as regards myself, I always mean what I say, though I do not say always all that I mean. But we are quite philosophical, and I have no time for disquisitions; so, fair ladies, good day, and may to-morrow be propitious for hats, caps, and _falbalas_. In that we are all agreed. Farewell!" And she departed. "My dear Lady Ellersby," said Lady Boileau, approaching her in a voice of earnest entreaty, "do not let Lady Tilney forget my lottery-ticket; for, after all, you know, one likes to have a _chance_ of the fine things." "Oh yes! ONE does. I will not forget. Trust to me." "You are always _so_ good-humoured! Adieu, then, _till_ to-morrow! I know you will not forget me." "Not if you can prevent it," said Lady Ellersby to herself, as she closed the door, and rose to ring her bell. "Send Fanchon to me." And when Fanchon, the maid, obeyed the summons, her mistress said, "I am half dead with the clamour of those dear friends of mine. Put my _roquelaure_ over me, and let me sleep. See that I be not disturbed. How loud they did all talk!" CHAPTER VIII. THE BREAKFAST.