The Duchess was a woman who so cultivated her passions that she would have regarded it as disloyal to introduce there a new piece of furniture in an underhand way--that is without a full appeal to herself, the highest authority, and the consequent bestowal of opportunity to nip the mistake in the bud.

Mrs.Brookenham had repeatedly asked herself where in the world she might have found the money to be disloyal.

The Duchess's standard was of a height--! It matched for that matter her other elements, which were wontedly conspicuous as usual as she sat there suggestive of early tea.

She always suggested tea before the hour, and her friend always, but with so different a wistfulness, rang for it.
"Who's to be at Brander ?" she asked.
"I haven't the least idea--he didn't tell me.

But they've always a lot of people." "Oh I know--extraordinary mixtures.