"Ah repetition--recurrence: we haven't yet, in the study of how to live, abolished that clumsiness, have we?" Mr. Nash genially inquired. "It's a poverty in the supernumeraries of our stage that we don't pass once for all, but come round and cross again like a procession or an army at the theatre. It's a sordid economy that ought to have been managed better. The right thing would be just _one_ appearance, and the procession, regardless of expense, for ever and for ever different." The company was occupied in placing itself at table, so that the only disengaged attention for the moment was Grace's, to whom, as her eyes rested on him, the young man addressed these last words with a smile. "Alas, it's a very shabby idea, isn't it? The world isn't got up regardless of expense!" Grace looked quickly away from him and said to her brother: "Nick, Mr. Pinks is dead." "Mr. Pinks?" asked Gabriel Nash, appearing to wonder where he should sit. "The member for Harsh; and Julia wants you to stand," the girl went on. "Mr. Pinks, the member for Harsh? What names to be sure!" Gabriel mused cheerfully, still unseated. "Julia wants me? I'm much obliged to her!" Nick absently said. "Nash, please sit by my mother, with Peter on her other side." "My dear, it isn't Julia"--Lady Agnes spoke earnestly. "Every one wants you. Haven't you heard from your people? Didn't you know the seat was vacant?" Nick was looking round the table to see what was on it. "Upon my word I don't remember. What else have you ordered, mother?" "There's some _boeuf braise_, my dear, and afterwards some galantine. Here's a dish of eggs with asparagus-tips." "I advise you to go in for it, Nick," said Peter Sherringham, to whom the preparation in question was presented. "Into the eggs with asparagus-tips? _Donnez m'en s'il vous plait_. My dear fellow, how can I stand? how can I sit? Where's the money to come from?" "The money? Why from Jul----!" Grace began, but immediately caught her mother's eye. "Poor Julia, how you do work her!" Nick exclaimed. "Nash, I recommend you the asparagus-tips. Mother, he's my best friend--do look after him." "I've an impression I've breakfasted--I'm not sure," Nash smiled. "With those beautiful ladies? Try again--you'll find out." "The money can be managed; the expenses are very small and the seat's certain," Lady Agnes pursued, not apparently heeding her son's injunction in respect to Nash. "Rather--if Julia goes down!" her elder daughter exclaimed. "Perhaps Julia won't go down!" Nick answered humorously. Biddy was seated next to Mr. Nash, so that she could take occasion to ask, "Who are the beautiful ladies?" as if she failed to recognise her brother's allusion. In reality this was an innocent trick: she was more curious than she could have given a suitable reason for about the odd women from whom her neighbour had lately separated.