I have a little information which I think you might make use of." Brooks changed his place, wine-glass in hand, and the conversation drifted away.

But he found the position of social star one which the Bullsoms were determined to force upon him, for they had no sooner entered the drawing-room than Selina came rushing across the room to him and drew him confidentially on one side.
"Mr.Brooks," she said, "do go and talk to Mrs.Huntingdon.She is so anxious to hear about the Lady Caroom who is staying at Enton." "I know nothing about Lady Caroom," Brooks replied, without any overplus of graciousness.
Selina looked at him in some dismay.
"But you met her at Enton, didn't you ?" she asked.
"Oh, yes, I met her there," Brooks answered, impatiently.

"But I certainly don't know enough of her to discuss her with Mrs.Huntingdon.
I rather wanted to speak to your cousin." Selina's thin little lips became compressed, and for a moment she forgot to smile.

Her cousin indeed! Mary, who was sitting there in a plain black gown without a single ornament, and not even a flower, looking for all the world like the poor relation she was! Selina glanced downwards at the great bunch of roses and maidenhair fern in her bosom, at the fancy and beaded trimming which ran like a nightmare all over her new gown, and which she was absolutely certain had come from Paris; at the heavy gold bracelets which concealed some part of her thin arms; she remembered suddenly the aigrette in her hair, such a finish to her costume, and her self-confidence returned.
"Oh, don't bother about Mary now.

Mrs.Huntingdon is dying to have you talk to her.