But there was a certain stiffness in the movement of things, and perhaps in the manner of some of those present, which was not felt at Saulsby.

Phineas at once missed the grace and prettiness and cheery audacity of Violet Effingham, and felt at the same time that Violet Effingham would be out of her element at Loughlinter.

At Loughlinter they were met for business.

It was at least a semi-political, or perhaps rather a semi-official gathering, and he became aware that he ought not to look simply for amusement.

When he entered the drawing-room before dinner, Mr.Monk and Mr.Palliser, and Mr.Kennedy and Mr.Gresham, with sundry others, were standing in a wide group before the fireplace, and among them were Lady Glencora Palliser and Lady Laura and Mrs.Bonteen.As he approached them it seemed as though a sort of opening was made for himself; but he could see, though others did not, that the movement came from Lady Laura.
"I believe, Mr.Monk," said Lady Glencora, "that you and I are the only two in the whole party who really know what we would be at." "If I must be divided from so many of my friends," said Mr.Monk, "I am happy to go astray in the company of Lady Glencora Palliser." "And might I ask," said Mr.Gresham, with a peculiar smile for which he was famous, "what it is that you and Mr.Monk are really at ?" "Making men and women all equal," said Lady Glencora.