’Such a shabby thing for a duchess I never saw; not a bit of a diamond near her.  They’re none of them worth looking at except the countess, and she’s always a personable woman, and not so lusty as she was.  But they’re not worth waiting up for till this time o’ night.’

There was a moment’s pause.  Then Lady Harriet put her hand out, and said,—­

’You don’t remember me, but I know you from having seen you at the Towers.  Lady Cumnor is a good deal thinner than she was, but we hope her health is better for it.’

‘It’s Lady Harriet,’ said Mrs. Gibson to Mrs. Goodenough, in reproachful dismay.

’Deary me, your ladyship!  I hope I’ve given no offence!  But, you see—­ that is to say, your ladyship sees, that it’s late hours for such folks as me, and I only stayed out of my bed to see the duchess, and I thought she’d come in diamonds and a coronet; and it puts one out at my age, to be disappointed in the only chance I’m like to have of so fine a sight.’

‘I’m put out too,’ said Lady Harriet.  ’I wanted to have come early, and here we are as late as this.  I’m so cross and ill-tempered, I should be glad to hide myself in bed as soon as you will do.’

She said this so sweetly that Mrs. Goodenough relaxed into a smile, and her crabbedness into a compliment.

’I don’t believe as ever your ladyship can be cross and ill-tempered with that pretty face.  I’m an old woman, so you must let me say so.’  Lady Harriet stood up, and made a low curtsey.  Then holding out her hand, she said,—­

’I won’t keep you up any longer; but I’ll promise one thing in return for your pretty speech:  if ever I am a duchess, I’ll come and show myself to you in all my robes and gewgaws.  Good-night, madam!’

‘There!  I knew how it would be!’ said she, not resuming her seat.  ’And on the eve of a county election too.’

’Oh! you must not take old Mrs. Goodenough as a specimen, dear Lady Harriet.  She is always a grumbler!  I am sure no one else would complain of your all being as late as you liked,’ said Mrs. Gibson.

‘What do you say, Molly?’ said Lady Harriet, suddenly turning her eyes on Molly’s face.  ’Don’t you think we’ve lost some of our popularity,—­ which at this time means votes—­by coming so late.  Come, answer me! you used to be a famous little truth-teller.’

‘I don’t know about popularity or votes,’ said Molly, rather unwillingly.  ’But I think many people were sorry you did not come sooner; and isn’t that rather a proof of popularity?’ she added.

‘That’s a very neat and diplomatic answer,’ said Lady Harriet, smiling, and tapping Molly’s cheek with her fan.’

‘Molly knows nothing about it,’ said Mrs. Gibson, a little off her guard.  ’It would be very impertinent if she or any one else questioned Lady Cumnor’s perfect right to come when she chose.’

’Well, all I know is, I must go back to mamma now, but I shall make another raid into these regions by-and-by, and you must keep a place for me.  Ah! there are—­the Miss Brownings; you see I don’t forget my lesson, Miss Gibson.’