Lord and Lady Baldock were on horseback.

Two or three old ladies hung over the fire and gossiped.

Lady Chiltern had retired to her baby;--when on a sudden Adelaide Palliser declared her intention of walking into the village.

"Might I accompany you, Miss Palliser ?" said Mr.Spooner; "I want a walk above all things." He was very brave, and persevered though it was manifest that the lady did not desire his company.
Adelaide said something about an old woman whom she intended to visit; whereupon Mr.Spooner declared that visiting old women was the delight of his life.

He would undertake to give half a sovereign to the old woman if Miss Palliser would allow him to come.