"Oh, hang the letter!" said Lord Worthington. "It's Mrs. Hoskyn's
writing--an invitation, or some such rot. Here; let's see it."

"Campden Hill Road, Saturday.

"My dear Lord Worthington,--I have not forgotten my promise to
obtain for you a near view of the famous Mrs. Herbert--'Madame
Simplicita,' as you call her. She will be with us to-morrow evening;
and we shall be very happy to see you then, if you care to come. At
nine o'clock, Herr Abendgasse, a celebrated German art critic and a
great friend of mine, will read us a paper on 'The True in Art'; but
I will not pay you the compliment of pretending to believe that that
interests you, so you may come at ten or half-past, by which hour
all the serious business of the evening will be over."

"Well, there is nothing like cheek," said Lord Worthington, breaking
off in his perusal. "These women think that because I enjoy life in
a rational way I don't know the back of a picture from the front, or
the inside of a book from the cover. I shall go at nine sharp."

"If any of your acquaintances take an interest in art, I will gladly
make them welcome. Could you not bring me a celebrity or two? I am
very anxious to have as good an audience as possible for Herr
Abendgasse. However, as it is, he shall have no reason to complain,
as I flatter myself that I have already secured a very distinguished
assembly. Still, if you can add a second illustrious name to my
list, by all means do so."

"Very good, Mrs. Hoskyn," said Lord Worthington, looking cunningly