"That comes of getting into good society, Cora. Ladies drop into engagements without having to look after the gentlemen. You see, they are so brought together like. That Denville puts a sort of stamp on you like, and then you're in society, and handsome Majors come and throw themselves at your feet." "Yes," said Cora, speaking through her teeth, "and insult you, and dare to speak to you as if you were some beautiful toy brought and set up for their amusement." "Cory!" "I tell you that every word he spoke to me in his mocking gallant way was an insult, and made my fingers tingle and my face burn. Mother, I've found out that there are two classes of men in the world." "Oh, my gracious! now she's off again," sighed Mrs Dean. "There are those who naturally honour and respect woman with all the manly chivalry of their nature, and those who look upon her as a being several degrees lower than themselves. Mother, that man made me feel to-night as if I could kill him." "Oh dear; oh dear!" sighed Mrs Dean in a whisper to her daughter, "if this is coming into society, and you are going on talking in that savage way, we had better stop at home. I expect you snubbed the Major in that orty way of yours, and he has gone after that chit of Denville's." "Where? Has he mother?" cried Cora, in an excited whisper. "Yes; he is bending over her and making big eyes at her. I say, he is a handsome man, Cory, and if I know anything, he's regularly took with her." "Are you sure, mother?" "Sure? Just as if I couldn't tell in a moment. You might get him away from her if you liked, I dare say. Look at that." She drew back a little that her child might see where Rockley was speaking in a markedly deferential manner to Claire; and Cora's colour went and came, and her bosom heaved in unison. "Bless your 'art, Cory, I ain't lived to my age without picking up a little. Why, since I've been sitting here to-night I've picked up no end, and if I was a scandalous old woman I could make any amount of mischief." Cora did not answer, for just then Lord Carboro' came up. "Let me take you down to have a jelly, Miss Dean," he said. Cora looked up at him and was about to refuse; but there was such a quiet, respectful look in the old man's eyes that she took his arm. "I'll come and fetch you afterwards, Mrs Dean," he said and they crossed the room. "There," said Mrs Dean. "Now I'm a happy woman. It might be after all. Countess--not a Shakespeare countess or duchess for six nights only, as it says in the bills, but altogether. Hah, I paid for this party, and I don't grudge the money, and Denville's made himself a friend. I was going to say to my gal: there's that Sir Matthew Bray making up to old Lady Drelincourt, and that Sir Harry Payne to Mrs Burnett, and Major Rockley to Claire Denville, and young Linnell as jealous as can be. And now, to top off with and finish the scene, Lord Carboro' comes and takes off my Cora. Well, we're in society at last."