"We all know what that means," replied Lady Monogram. "And people are giving their eyes to be asked to the dinner party which he is to give to the Emperor in July;--and even to the reception afterwards." "To hear you talk, Georgiana, one would think that you didn't understand anything," said Lady Monogram. "People are going to see the Emperor, not to see the Melmottes. I dare say we might have gone,--only I suppose we shan't now because of this row." "I don't know what you mean by a row, Julia." "Well;--it is a row, and I hate rows. Going there when the Emperor of China is there, or anything of that kind, is no more than going to the play. Somebody chooses to get all London into his house, and all London chooses to go. But it isn't understood that that means acquaintance. I should meet Madame Melmotte in the park afterwards and not think of bowing to her." "I should call that rude." "Very well. Then we differ. But really it does seem to me that you ought to understand these things as well as anybody. I don't find any fault with you for going to the Melmottes,--though I was very sorry to hear it; but when you have done it, I don't think you should complain of people because they won't have the Melmottes crammed down their throats." "Nobody has wanted it," said Georgiana sobbing. At this moment the door was opened, and Sir Damask came in. "I'm talking to your wife about the Melmottes," she continued, determined to take the bull by the horns. "I'm staying there, and--I think it--unkind that Julia--hasn't been--to see me. That's all." "How'd you do, Miss Longestaffe? She doesn't know them." And Sir Damask, folding his hands together, raising his eyebrows, and standing on the rug, looked as though he had solved the whole difficulty. [Illustration: Sir Damask solving the difficulty.] "She knows me, Sir Damask." "Oh yes;--she knows you. That's a matter of course. We're delighted to see you, Miss Longestaffe--I am, always. Wish we could have had you at Ascot. But--." Then he looked as though he had again explained everything. "I've told her that you don't want me to go to the Melmottes," said Lady Monogram. "Well, no;--not just to go there. Stay and have lunch, Miss Longestaffe." "No, thank you." "Now you're here, you'd better," said Lady Monogram. "No, thank you. I'm sorry that I have not been able to make you understand me. I could not allow our very long friendship to be dropped without a word." "Don't say--dropped," exclaimed the baronet. "I do say dropped, Sir Damask. I thought we should have understood each other;--your wife and I. But we haven't. Wherever she might have gone, I should have made it my business to see her; but she feels differently. Good-bye."