them, Lady Windermere came down on a visit to Alton Priory, a lovely
old place, that had been the Duke's wedding present to his son; and
one afternoon as she was sitting with Lady Arthur under a lime-tree
in the garden, watching the little boy and girl as they played up
and down the rose-walk, like fitful sunbeams, she suddenly took her
hostess's hand in hers, and said, 'Are you happy, Sybil?'

'Dear Lady Windermere, of course I am happy. Aren't you?'

'I have no time to be happy, Sybil. I always like the last person
who is introduced to me; but, as a rule, as soon as I know people I
get tired of them.'

'Don't your lions satisfy you, Lady Windermere?'

'Oh dear, no! lions are only good for one season. As soon as their
manes are cut, they are the dullest creatures going. Besides, they
behave very badly, if you are really nice to them. Do you remember
that horrid Mr. Podgers? He was a dreadful impostor. Of course, I
didn't mind that at all, and even when he wanted to borrow money I
forgave him, but I could not stand his making love to me. He has
really made me hate cheiromancy. I go in for telepathy now. It is
much more amusing.'

'You mustn't say anything against cheiromancy here, Lady Windermere;
it is the only subject that Arthur does not like people to chaff
about. I assure you he is quite serious over it.'

'You don't mean to say that he believes in it, Sybil?'