"You are very good,--(said Buckhurst)--you do me a great deal of honour,"
said the dean.

Two different manners appeared in the same person: one natural--belonging
to his former, the other assumed, proper, as he thought, for his present
self, or rather for his present situation.

"Won't you be seated? I hope all our friends--" Mrs. Buckhurst, or, as she
was called, Mrs. Dean Falconer, made divers motions, with a very ugly chin,
and stood as if she thought there ought to be an introduction. The dean
knew it, but being ashamed to introduce her, determined against it. Alfred
stood in suspension, waiting their mutual pleasure.

"Won't you sit down, sir?" repeated the dean.

Down plumped Mrs. Falconer directly, and taking out her spectacles, as
if to shame her husband, by heightening the contrast of youth and age,
deliberately put them on; then drawing her table nearer, settled herself to
her work.

Alfred, who saw it to be necessary, determined to use his best address to
conciliate the lady.

"Mr. Dean, you have never yet done me the honour to introduce me to Mrs.
Falconer."

"I thought--I thought we had met before--since--Mrs. Falconer, Mr. Alfred
Percy."

The lady took off her spectacles, smiled, and adjusted herself, evidently