You may meet that amongst other branches of our family; but genius and talent I do reverence.

And if I can be the means--the humble means--to bring men of genius together--mind to associate with mind--men of all nations to mingle in friendly unison--I shall not have lived altogether in vain.

They call us women of the world frivolous, Colonel Newcome.

So some may be; I do not say there are not in our own family persons who worship mere worldly rank, and think but of fashion and gaiety; but such, I trust, will never be the objects in life of me and my children.

We are but merchants; we seek to be no more.
If I can look around me and see as I do"-( she waves her fan round, and points to the illustrations scintillating round the room)--"and see as I do now--a Poski, whose name is ever connected with Polish history--an Ettore, who has exchanged a tonsure and a rack for our own free country--a Hammerstein, and a Quartz, a Miss Rudge, our Transatlantic sister (who I trust will not mention this modest salon in her forthcoming work on Europe), and Miss Pinnifer, whose genius I acknowledge, though I deplore her opinions; if I can gather together travellers, poets, and painters, princes and distinguished soldiers from the East, and clergymen remarkable for their eloquence, my humble aim is attained, and Maria Newcome is not altogether useless in her generation.
Will you take a little refreshment?
Allow your sister to go down to the dining-room supported by your gallant arm." She looked round to the admiring congregation, whereof Honeyman, as it were acted as clerk, and flirting her fan, and flinging up her little head.