taught her, that their kitchens and sickrooms were not unreservedly
at her disposal as private lecture halls, she had never been able
to assimilate. She was ready to give them unlimited advice as to
how they should keep the wolf from their doors, but in return she
claimed and enforced for herself the penetrating powers of an east
wind or a dust storm. Her visits among her wealthier acquaintances
were equally extensive and enterprising, and hardly more welcome;
in country-house parties, while partaking to the fullest extent of
the hospitality offered her, she made a practice of unburdening
herself of homilies on the evils of leisure and luxury, which did
not particularly endear her to her fellow guests. Hostesses
regarded her philosophically as a form of social measles which
everyone had to have once.

The third prospective player, Francesca noted without any special
enthusiasm, was Lady Caroline Benaresq. Lady Caroline was far from
being a remarkably good bridge player, but she always managed to
domineer mercilessly over any table that was favoured with her
presence, and generally managed to win. A domineering player
usually inflicts the chief damage and demoralisation on his
partner; Lady Caroline's special achievement was to harass and
demoralise partner and opponents alike.

"Weak and weak," she announced in her gentle voice, as she cut her
hostess for a partner; "I suppose we had better play only five
shillings a hundred."

Francesca wondered at the old woman's moderate assessment of the
stake, knowing her fondness for highish play and her usual good
luck in card holding.