They talked of art, of literature, discovering an entire unanimity in their preferences, which made for the safely conventional.

They chatted of common acquaintances, agreeing that the people they liked were undoubtedly the very nicest people in their circle, and avoiding in the suavest manner any severity regarding those they could not approve.

When Eustace apologised for touching on a professional subject (he had just been called to the Bar), Mrs.Jacks declared that nothing could interest her more.

If he ventured a jest, she smiled with surpassing sweetness, and was all but moved to laugh.

They, at all events, spent a most agreeable evening.
Not so Mrs.Hannaford, who, just before dinner, had received a letter, which at once she destroyed.