"I felt sure they were staying for dinner." "Coralie," I asked, "Lady Thesiger tells me she has been here a good deal, yet you do not seem to be on very intimate terms with her ?" "No," she said, with that frank smile that was lovely enough to charm any one.

"I neither like nor admire Lady Thesiger." Clare uttered a little cry of astonishment.
"Why not ?" I asked.
"I should not like to prejudice you against them, Sir Edgar; but as you ask me, I will tell you.

The Thesigers have but one object." "What is it ?" I inquired for she had paused abruptly, and seemed to be entirely engrossed in her flowers.
"The one aim they have had in view for several years past is to see Agatha mistress of Crown Anstey.

She was educated solely and entirely for that purpose." "I do not believe it!" cried Clare, indignantly.
"I should never expect you to do so.

You are too unworldly--too good; you know nothing of the manners of fashionable people.