“Why no!  I rather think the best wives are to be found in a medium.  I would wish to elevate my wife myself.  A Baronet’s daughter for instance.”

Here Lady Jarvis, who had entered during the dialogue, and caught a clue to the topic they were engaged in, drew near, and ventured to ask if he thought a simple knight too low.  The Marquess, who did not expect such an attack, was a little at a loss for an answer; but recovering himself answered gravely, under the apprehension of another design on his person, that “he did think that would be forgetting his duty to his descendants.”

Lady Jarvis sighed, and fell back in disappointment; while Miss Harris, turning to the nobleman, in a soft voice, desired him to ring for her carriage.  As he handed her down, she ventured to inquire if his lordship had ever met with such a woman as he described.

“Oh, Miss Harris,” he whispered, as he handed her into the coach, “how can you ask me such a question?  You are very cruel.  Drive on, coachman.”

“How, cruel, my Lord?” said Miss Harris eagerly.  “Stop, John.  How, cruel, my Lord?” and she stretched her neck out of the window as the Marquess, kissing his hand to her, ordered the man to proceed.

“Don’t you hear your lady, sir?”

Lady Jarvis had followed them down, also with a view to catch anything which might be said, having apologized for her hasty visit; and as the Marquess handed her politely into her carriage, she also begged “he would favor Sir Timo and Sir Henry with a call;” which being promised, Eltringham returned to the room.

“When am I to salute a Marchioness of Eltringham?” cried Lady Laura to her brother, “one on the new standard set up by your Lordship.”

“Whenever Miss Harris can make up her mind to the sacrifice,” replied the brother very gravely.  “Ah me! how very considerate some of your sex are, for the modesty of ours.”

“I wish you joy with all my heart, my Lord Marquess,” exclaimed John Moseley.  “I was once favored with the notice of that same lady for a week or two, but a viscount saved me from capture.”

“I really think, Moseley,” said the Duke innocently, but speaking with animation, “an intriguing daughter worse than a managing mother.”

John’s gravity for a moment vanished, as he replied in a lowered key,

“Oh, much worse.”

Grace’s heart was in her throat, until, by stealing a glance at her husband, she saw the cloud passing over his fine brow; and happening to catch her affectionate smile; his face was at once lighted into a look of pleasantry.

“I would advise caution, my Lord.  Caroline Harris has the advantage of experience in her trade, and was expert from the first.”

“John—­John,” said Sir Edward with warmth, “Sir William is my friend, and his daughter must be respected.”

“Then, baronet,” cried the Marquess, “she has one recommendation I was ignorant of, and as such I am silent:  but ought not Sir William to teach his daughter to respect herself?  I view these husband-hunting ladies as pirates on the ocean of love, and lawful objects for any roving cruiser like myself to fire at.  At one time I was simple enough to retire as they advanced, but you know, madam,” turning to Mrs. Wilson with a droll look, “flight only encourages pursuit, so I now give battle in self-defence.”