After a short interval, passed in visiting the different objects of beauty and interest in the gardens of the Priory, the hour arrived for assembling the guests under the marquees where the _déjeûner dinatoire_ was prepared; and Lord and Lady Glenmore, with their party, adjourned thither. The Leinsengen, Baskerville, Boileau, and Lady De Chere, were already placed when they arrived; but all made way for them, and in the _mêlée_ of the moment Mr. Leslie Winyard succeeded in securing his post by the side of Lady Glenmore. After the first clamour of voices had subsided, every one spoke to his neighbour only; and Mr. Leslie Winyard availed himself of this opportunity to engross Lady Glenmore's attention in every possible way. Lady Boileau, who was seated opposite and rather _desœuvré_, amused herself by remarking every glance and every little attention which Mr. Winyard addressed to Lady Glenmore; and whispered to the Comtesse Leinsengen, "_Ça va grand train_," indicating by a look those of whom she spoke. "O dat is always de way in dis country: either _des dragonnes de vertu_, or else, _tête baissé_, you give de _grand scandale_. 'Tis noting new; 'tis _à votre ordinaire. Ça fait pitié_, but it cannot be help. _Toujours des grandes passions_, which end in de run away, de food for de newspapers; and den _sauve qui peut_, and de woman is left to sink or swim, _que vous êtes maladroites, vous autres Angloises_." "Pardon me, dear comtesse," said Lord Gascoigne, joining in the conversation, and speaking in the tone of satire with which he sometimes lashed the foibles of the day, "pardon me, comtesse, not always: there are many who, a little while after their _écarté_, have retired from the scene in order to return to it with a fresh title and fresh fame. It only depends upon the rank that is held by the _préféré_. It is true, were he as handsome as Adonis, and as seducing as Love himself, that would be no excuse; but if he has wealth, power, title, the affair passes through a regular process of _sous entendu_, and then all is smooth again, _et on passe à des nouvelles amours_." "Very true," rejoined the Comtesse Leinsengen sharply; "and so much for your boasted London _morale_." "Pray, however, remember, comtesse, that London is not England, nor England London; although, in regard to foreign capitals, that inference might once have held good, and Paris could be justly said to be all France. But our system of politics, as well as of private life, is one which no foreigner ever did or ever will understand." The Comtesse Leinsengen gave her accustomed shrug, turned away before Lord Gascoigne had finished speaking, and the whole party soon after broke up, the ladies retiring into the house to change their dress and prepare for the ball.