'There is nothing more exacting than idle requirements,' said James.
'Pray is Clara accepting that invitation? Come to dinner, Louis, and
give us an excuse.'

'No, he won't,' said Mrs. Frost, 'he will take my side. These young
people want to cast off all their neighbours.'

'Now, granny,' exclaimed James, 'have we not dutifully dined all
round? Did not Isabel conduct Clara to that ball? Is it not hard to
reproach us with sighing at an evening immolated at the shrine of the
Richardsons?'

'Well, my dears, you must judge.'

'I am ready to do whatever you think right; I leave you to settle
it,' said Isabel, moving out of the room, that Louis might be free
for a more intimate conversation.

'Now,' cried James, 'is it in the nature of things that she should
live in such society as Mrs. Walby's and Mrs. Richardson's? People
who call her Mrs. James!'

'Such a queen as she looks among them!' said Clara.

'One comfort is, they don't like that,' said James. 'Even Mrs.
Calcott is not flattered by her precedence. I hope we shall soon be
dropped out of their parties. As long as I do my duty by their sons,
what right have they to impose the penance of their society on my
wife? All the irksomeness of what she has left, and none of the