advocate, and a little time after, the sincerest follower, of the youthful
countess.

CHAPTER XXIII.

AN INSIGHT INTO THE REAL GRANDE MONDE;--BEING A SEARCH BEHIND THE
ROSE-COLOURED CURTAINS.

The time we now speak of was the most brilliant the English world, during
the last half century, has known. Lord Byron was in his brief and
dazzling zenith; De Stael was in London; the Peace had turned the
attention of rich idlers to social enjoyment and to letters. There was an
excitement, and a brilliancy, and a spirituality, about our circles, which
we do not recognise now. Never had a young and ambitious woman--a beauty
and a genius--a finer moment for the commencement of her power. It was
Constance's early and bold resolution to push to the utmost--even to
exaggeration--a power existing in all polished states, but now mostly in
this,--the power of fashion! This mysterious and subtle engine she was
eminently skilled to move according to her will. Her intuitive
penetration into character, her tact, and her grace, were exactly the
talents Fashion most demands; and they were at present devoted only to
that sphere. The rudeness that she mingled, at times, with the bewitching
softness and ease of manner she could command at others, increased the
effect of her power. It is much to intimidate as well as to win. And her
rudeness in a very little while grew popular; for it was never exercised
but on those whom the world loves to see humbled. Modest merit in any
rank; and even insolence, if accompanied with merit, were always safe from
her satire. It was the hauteur of foolish duchesses or purse-proud
roturiers that she loved, and scrupled not, to abase.