On the whole, the feeling toward Emilia was kind, and the hope that she would come to no harm was fervently expressed by all the ladies; frequently enough, also, to show the opinion that it might easily happen.

On such points Mrs.Chump never failed to bring the conversation to a block.

Supported as they were by Captain Gambier, Edward Buxley, Freshfield Sumner, and more than once by Sir Twickenham (whom Freshfield, launching angry shafts, now called the semi-betrothed, the statistical cripple, and other strong things that show a developing genius for street-cries and hustings--epithets in every member of the lists of the great Rejected, or of the jilted who can affect to be philosophical), notwithstanding these aids, the ladies of Brookfield were crushed by Mrs.Chump.Her main offence was, that she revived for them so much of themselves that they had buried.

"Oh! the unutterably sordid City life!" It hung about her like a smell of London smoke.

As a mere animal, they passed her by, and had almost come to a state of mind to pass her off.