"Nothing terrible, I hope," said Mrs. Finn, mindful of her husband's new honours at the Admiralty, and hoping that the Duke might not have repeated his threat of resigning. "We are going to Matching." "So I supposed." "And whom do you think we are going to have?" "Not Major Pountney?" "No;--not at my asking." "Nor Mr. Lopez?" "Nor yet Mr. Lopez. Guess again." "I suppose there will be a dozen to guess." "No," shrieked the Duchess. "There will only be one. I have asked one,--at his special desire,--and as you won't come I shall ask nobody else. When I pressed him to name a second he named you. I'll obey him to the letter. Now, my dear, who do you think is the chosen one,--the one person who is to solace the perturbed spirit of the Prime Minister for the three months of the autumn?" "Mr. Warburton, I should say." "Oh, Mr. Warburton! No doubt Mr. Warburton will come as a part of his luggage, and possibly half-a-dozen Treasury clerks. He declares, however, that there is nothing to do, and therefore Mr. Warburton's strength may alone suffice to help him to do it. There is to be one unnecessary guest,--unnecessary, that is, for official purpose; though,--oh,--so much needed for his social happiness. Guess once more." "Knowing the spirit of mischief that is in you,--perhaps it is Lady Rosina." "Of course it is Lady Rosina," said the Duchess, clapping her hands together. "And I should like to know what you mean by a spirit of mischief! I asked him, and he himself said that he particularly wished to have Lady Rosina at Matching. Now, I'm not a jealous woman,--am I?" "Not of Lady Rosina." "I don't think they'll do any harm together, but it is particular, you know. However, she is to come. And nobody else is to come. I did count upon you." Then Mrs. Finn counselled her very seriously as to the bad taste of such a joke, explaining to her that the Duke had certainly not intended that her invitations should be confined to Lady Rosina. But it was not all joke with the Duchess. She had been driven almost to despair, and was very angry with her husband. He had brought the thing upon himself, and must now make the best of it. She would ask nobody else. She declared that there was nobody whom she could ask with propriety. She was tired of asking. Let her ask whom she would, he was dissatisfied. The only two people he cared to see were Lady Rosina and the old Duke. She had asked Lady Rosina for his sake. Let him ask his old friend himself if he pleased.