And they might be of great service to her, by giving a proper elevation and tone to her genius; while she might amuse them, and their guests, and be let off, in fact, as a firework for the nonce.

Among the queenly cases of women who are designing to become the heads of a circle (if I may use the term), an accurate admeasurement of reciprocal advantages can scarcely be expected to rank; but the knowledge that an act, depending upon us for execution, is capable of benefiting both sides, will make the proceeding appear so unselfish, that its wisdom is overlooked as well as its motives.

The sisters felt they were the patronesses of the little obscure genius whom they longed for to illumine their household, before they knew her name.

Cornet Wilfrid Pole must have chuckled mightily to see them depart on their mission.

These ladies, who managed everybody, had themselves been very cleverly managed.