Ada Spelvexit gave up the attempt to reproduce the decorative
setting of the Canon's homelife, and fell back on the small but
practical consolation of scoring the odd trick in her opponent's
declaration of hearts.

"If you had led your highest club to start with, instead of the
nine, we should have saved the trick," remarked Lady Caroline to
her partner in a tone of coldly, gentle reproof; "it's no use, my
dear," she continued, as Serena flustered out a halting apology,
"no earthly use to attempt to play bridge at one table and try to
see and hear what's going on at two or three other tables."

"I can generally manage to attend to more than one thing at a
time," said Serena, rashly; "I think I must have a sort of double
brain."

"Much better to economise and have one really good one," observed
Lady Caroline.

"La belle dame sans merci scoring a verbal trick or two as usual,"
said a player at another table in a discreet undertone.

"Did I tell you Sir Edward Roan is coming to my next big evening,"
said Serena, hurriedly, by way, perhaps, of restoring herself a
little in her own esteem.

"Poor dear, good Sir Edward. What have you made trumps?" asked
Lady Caroline, in one breath.

"Clubs," said Francesca; "and pray, why these adjectives of