I don't now what sort of a youth he is, but if he's a decent fellow, I don't imagine anybody will boycott him on account of his father's misdoings." He referred to one of the worst financial scandals of the preceding generation.

Lady Lucy made no answer, but any one closely observing her might have noticed a sudden and sharp stiffening of the lips, which was in truth her reply.
"Oh, you can always ask a man like that to garden-parties!" said a shrill, distant voice.

The group round the table turned.

The remark was made by old Lady Niton, who sat enthroned in an arm-chair near the fire, sometimes knitting, and sometimes observing her neighbors with a malicious eye.
"Anything's good enough, isn't it, for garden-parties ?" said Mrs.
Fotheringham, with a little sneer.
Lady Niton's face kindled.

"Let us be Radicals, my dear," she said, briskly, "but not hypocrites.