And she had come unanticipatingly, without design, except perhaps to get a superior being to direct and restrain a gambler's hand perhaps for the fee of a temporary pressure.
'I may be able to help a little--I hope!' she fetched a breath to say, while her eyelids mildly sermonized; and immediately she talked of her inheritance of property in stocks and shares.
Victor commented passingly on the soundness of them, and talked of projects he entertained:--Parliament! 'But I have only to mention it at home, and my poor girl will set in for shrinking.' He doated on the diverse aspect of the gallant woman of the world.
'You succeed in everything you do,' said she, and she cordially believed it; and that belief set the neighbour memory palpitating.

Success folded her waist, was warm upon her lips: she worshipped the figure of Success.
'I can't consent to fail, it's true, when my mind is on a thing,' Victor rejoined.
He looked his mind on Lady Grace.

The shiver of a maid went over her.
These transparent visages, where the thought which is half design is perceived as a lightning, strike lightning into the physically feebler.
Her hand begged, with the open palm, her head shook thrice; and though she did not step back, he bowed to the negation, and then she gave him a grateful shadow of a smile, relieved, with a startled view of how greatly relieved, by that sympathetic deference in the wake of the capturing intrepidity.
'I am to name Tuesday for Dudley ?' she suggested.
'At any hour he pleases to appoint.' 'A visit signifies...' 'Whatever it signifies!' 'I'm thinking of the bit of annoyance.' 'To me?
Anything appointed, finds me ready the next minute.' Her smile was flatteringly bright.

'By the way, keep your City people close about you: entertain as much as possible; dine them,' she said.
'At home ?' 'Better.

Sir Rodwell Blachington, Sir Abraham Quatley: and their wives.
There's no drawing back now.