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. Garden-parties are invaluable--for people
you can't ask into the house. By-the-way, wasn't it you, Oliver, who
scolded me last night, because I said somebody wasn't 'in Society'?"

"You said it of a particular hero of mine," laughed Marsham. "I
naturally pitied Society."

"What is Society? Where is it?" said Sir James Chide, contemptuously. "I
suppose Lady Palmerston knew."

The famous lawyer sat a little apart from the rest. Diana, who had only
caught his name, and knew nothing else of him, looked with sudden
interest at the man's great brow and haughty look. Lady Niton shook her
head emphatically.