She had to quit the field where such darts were showering.
The first dinner-party was aristocratic, easy to encounter.

Lord and Lady Crane, Lady Pennon, Lord and Lady Esquart, Lord Larrian, Mr.and Mrs.Montvert of Halford Manor, Lady Singleby, Sir Walter Capperston friends, admirers of Diana; patrons, in the phrase of the time, of her father, were the guests.

Lady Pennon expected to be amused, and was gratified, for Diana had only to open her mouth to set the great lady laughing.

She petitioned to have Mrs.Warwick at her table that day week, because the marquis was dying to make her acquaintance, and begged to have all her sayings repeated to him; vowed she must be salt in the desert.

'And remember, I back you through thick and thin,' said Lady Pennon.