"I am delighted to see your son in such excellent spirits to-night, my dear Mrs. Pynsent: it is an infectious disorder which I already feel stealing upon me. Such joyous spirits generally take effect upon those around." "What ails Tom that he should not be gay?" growled Mrs. Pynsent. "Mothers court him and daughters flirt with him; what else can he require in a ball-room?" Lady Wetheral felt piqued. "The last time I had the pleasure of seeing your son, he was not so gaily inclined. I am glad his dejection has passed away." "When did you see Tom out of spirits?" abruptly inquired Mrs. Pynsent. "At Wetheral," replied her ladyship, in a gentle tone, while her heart longed for farther questioning. "Umph! Men require spirits sometimes, when they are running the gauntlet." "Mr. Pynsent won my admiration and regard by his honourable manner of acting," continued Lady Wetheral, who had now got into deep water; "he was always a particular favourite of mine, and I deeply regretted my daughter did not accept a man so much...." "Your daughter! who are you talking about?--what has my son to do with any of your daughters?" Mrs. Pynsent was evidently beginning to chafe, but she had offended by her allusions to mothers and daughters, and she was destined to receive punishment from Lady Wetheral's hands. "I am afraid I have alluded to circumstances which have not been made known to you, my dear Mrs. Pynsent, and I beseech you not to remember what has passed my lips: I was of course perfectly certain you were no stranger to certain events at Wetheral, or I would have withheld this unfortunate communication; I thought you knew...." "I know nothing, Lady Wetheral; and what is more, I have no desire to know any thing: have the kindness to let me pass." Mrs. Pynsent passed on, as her ladyship fell back with polite ease of manner at her wish; but the iron had entered into her soul. The diamond aigrette upon her green satin turban paled under the flashing of her eyes as she proceeded up the room towards Lady Spottiswoode. Lady Wetheral confessed afterwards, her triumph at that moment repaid her for many bitter taunts on the part of her victim.