He would now and then make ill-natured remarks about his friends' wines, as suggesting '68 when a man would boast of his '48 claret; and when costly dainties were supplied for his use, would remark that such and such a dish was very well at some other time of the year.

So that ladies attentive to their tables and hosts proud of their cellars would almost shake in their shoes before Lord Mongrober.

And it may also be said that Lord Mongrober never gave any chance of retaliation by return dinners.

There lived not the man or woman who had dined with Lord Mongrober.

But yet the Robys of London were glad to entertain him; and the Mrs.Robys, when he was coming, would urge their cooks to superhuman energies by the mention of his name.
And there was Lady Eustace! Of Lady Eustace it was impossible to say whether her beauty, her wit, her wealth, or the remarkable history of her past life, most recommended her to such hosts and hostesses as Mr.and Mrs.Roby.As her history may be already known to some, no details of it shall be repeated here.