theylefther；andremainedpassiveandlimp。
　　"OLadyCicely，"saidRosa，"howkindofyoutocome。"
　　"Howkindofyoutosendtome，"wasthepolite，butperfectlycoolreply。"Buthowyouaregwown，and——mayIsayimpwoved?——YoulapetiteLusignan!Itisincwedible，"lispedherladyship，verycalmly。
　　"Iwasonlyachild，"saidRosa。"Youwerealwayssobeautifulandtall，andkindtoalittlemonkeylikeme。Oh，praysitdown，LadyCicely，andtalkofoldtimes。"
　　Shedrewhergentlytothesofa，andtheysatdownhandinhand；
　　butLadyCicely'shigh-bredreservemadeheraverypoorgossipaboutanythingthattouchedherselfandherfamily；soRosa，thoughnoegotist，wasdrawnintotalkingaboutherselfmorethanshewouldhavedonehadshedeliberatelyplannedtheconversation。Butherewasanoldschool-fellow，andasingularlypolitelistener，andsooutcameherlove，hergenuinehappiness，herparticulargriefs，andespeciallythecrowninggrievance，nosociety，mopedtodeath，etc。
　　LadyCicelycouldhardlyunderstandthesentimentinawomanwhosoevidentlylovedherhusband。"Society!"saidshe，afterduereflection，"why，itisaboa。"AndhereImayaswellexplainthatLadyCicelyspokecertainwordsfalsely，andothersaffectedly；andasfortheletterr，shecouldsayitifshemadeaheartyeffort，butwasgenerallytoolazytothrowherlegoverit。"Society!I'mdwenchedtodeathwithit。IfIcouldonlycatchfiahlikeotherwomen，andlovesomebody，Iwouldmuchratherhaveatete-a-tetewithhimthangoteawingaboutalldayandallnight，fromoneunintwistingcwowdtoanother。Tobesure，"saidshe，puzzlingthematterout，"youareabeauty，andwouldbemorelookedat。"
　　"Theidea!and——ohno!no!itisnotthat。Buteveninthecountrywehadalwayssomesociety。"
　　"Well，dyar，believeme，withyourappeawance，youcanhaveasmuchsocietyasyouplease；butitwillboayoutodeath，asitdoesme，andthenyouwilllongtobeleftquietwithasensiblemanwholovesyou。"
　　SaidRosa，"WhenshallIhaveanothertete-a-tetewithYOU，I
　　wonder?Oh，ithasbeensuchacomforttome。Blessyouforcoming。There——IwrotetoCecilia，andEmily，andMrs。Bosanquetthatisnow，andallmyswornfriends，andtothinkofyoubeingtheonetocome——youthatneverkissedmebutonce，andanearl'sdaughterintothebargain。"
　　Ha!ha!ha!"——LadyCicelyactuallylaughedforonceinaway，anddidnotfeeltheeffort。"Asforkissing，"saidshe，"ifIfallshawt，fawgiveme。Iwasnevaavewydemonstwative。"
　　"No；andIhavehadalesson。ThatFlorenceCole——FlorenceWhitingthatwas，youknow——wasalwayskissingme，andshehasturnedoutatraitor。I'lltellyouallabouther。"Andshedid。
　　LadyCicelythoughtMrs。Stainesalittletoounreservedinherconversation；butwassocharmedwithhersweetnessandfreshnessthatshekeptuptheacquaintance，andcalledonhertwiceaweekduringtheseason。Atfirstshewonderedthathervisitswerenotreturned；butRosaletoutthatshewasashamedtocallonfootinGrosvenorSquare。
　　LadyCicelyshruggedherbeautifulshouldersalittleatthat；butshecontinuedtodothevisiting，andtoenjoythesimple，innocentrapturewithwhichshewasreceived。
　　Thislady'spronunciationofmanywordswasfalseoraffected。Shesaid"goodmurning"for"goodmorning，"andturnedothervowelstodiphthongs，andplayedtwoorthreeprankswithher"r's。"Butwecannotbeallimperfection:withherpronunciationherfollycametoafullstop。Ireallybelieveshelispedlessnonsenseandbadtasteinayearthansomeofusarticulateinaday。Tobesure，follyisgenerallyutteredinahurry，andshewastoodeplorablylazytospeakfastonanyoccasionwhatever。
　　OnedayMrs。Stainestookherup-stairs，andshowedherfromthebackwindowherhusbandpacingtheyard，waitingforpatients。
　　LadyCicelyfoldedherarms，andcontemplatedhimatfirstwithasortofzoologicalcuriosity。Gentlemanpacingbackyard，likehyena，shehadneverseenbefore。
　　Atlastsheopenedhermouthinawhisper，"Whatishedoing?"
　　"Waitingforpatients。"
　　"Oh!Waiting——for——patients?"
　　"Forpatientsthatnevercome，andneverwillcome。"
　　"Cuwious!HowlittleIknowoflife。"
　　"Itisthatallday，dear，orelsewriting。"
　　LadyCicely，withhereyesfixedonStaines，madeamotionwithherhandthatshewasattending。
　　"Andtheywon'tpublishawordhewrites。"
　　"Poorman!"
　　"Niceforme；isitnot?"
　　"Ibegintounderstand，"saidLadyCicelyquietly；andsoonafterretiredwithherinvariablecomposure。
　　Meantime，Dr。Staines，likeagoodhusband，hadthrownoutoccasionalhintstoMrs。Lucasthathehadawife，beautiful，accomplished，moped。Morethanthat，hewentsofarastoregrettoherthatMrs。Staines，beinginaneighborhoodnewtohim，sawsolittlesociety；themoreso，asshewasformedtoshine，andhadnotbeenusedtoseclusion。
　　AllthesehintsfelldeadonMrs。Lucas。Ahandsomeandskilfuldoctorwaswelcometoher:hiswife——thatwasquiteanothermatter。
　　ButonedayMrs。LucassawLadyCicelyTreherne'scarriagestandingatthedoor。Thestyleofthewholeturnoutimpressedher。Shewonderedwhoseitwas。
　　Onanotheroccasionshesawitdriveup，andtheladygetout。Sherecognizedher；andtheverynextdaythisparvenuesaidadroitly，"Now，Dr。Staines，reallyyoucan'tbeallowedtohideyourwifeinthisway。Stainesstared。WhynotintroducehertomenextWednesday?Itismynight。Iwouldgiveadinnerexpresslyforher；butIdon'tliketodothatwhilemyhusbandisinNaples。"
　　WhenStainescarriedtheinvitationtohiswife，shewasdelighted，andkissedhimwithchildishfrankness。
　　Buttheverynextmomentshebecamethoughtful，uneasy，depressed。
　　"Oh，dear；I'venothingtowear。"
　　"Oh，nonsense，Rosa。Yourweddingoutfit。"
　　"Theidea!Ican'tgoasabride。It'snotamasquerade。"
　　"Butyouhaveotherdresses。"
　　"Allgoneby，moreorless；ornotfitforsuchpartiesasSHE
　　gives。Ahundredcarriages!"
　　"Bringthemdown，andletmeseethem。"
　　"Ohyes。"Andthelady，whohadnothingtowear，paradedaveryfairshowofdresses。
　　Stainessawsomethingtoadmireinallofthem。Mrs。Stainesfoundmoretoobjecttoineach。
　　Atlasthefelluponasilver-graysilk，ofsuperlativequality。
　　"That!Itisasoldasthehills，"shriekedRosa。
　　"Itlooksjustoutoftheshop。Come，tellthetruth；howoftenhaveyouwornit?"
　　"IworeitbeforeIwasmarried。"
　　"Ay，buthowoften?"
　　"Twice。Threetimes，Ibelieve。"
　　"Ithoughtso。Itisgoodasnew。"
　　"ButIhavehaditsolongbyme。IhadittwoyearsbeforeImadeitup。"
　　"Whatdoesthatmatter?Doyouthinkthepeoplecantellhowlongadresshasbeenlurkinginyourwardrobe?Thisischildish，Rosa。
　　There，withthisdressasgoodasnew，andyourbeauty，youwillbeasmuchadmired，andperhapshated，asyourheartcandesire。"
　　"Iamafraidnot，"saidRosanaively。"Oh，howIwishIhadknownaweekago。"
　　"Iamverythankfulyoudidnot，"saidStainesdryly。
　　Atteno'clockMrs。Staineswasnearlydressed；ataquarterpasttenshedemandedtenminutes；athalf-pasttenshesoughtareprieve；ataquartertoeleven，beingassuredthatthestreetwasfullofcarriages，whichhadputdownatMrs。Lucas's，sheconsentedtoemerge；andinaminutetheywereatthehouse。
　　Theywereshownfirstintoacloak-room，andthenintoatea-room，andthenmountedthestairs。Oneservanttooktheirnames，andbawledthemtoanotherfouryardsoff，hetoanotheraboutasnear，andsoon；andtheyedgedthemselvesintotheroom，notyettoocrowdedtomovein。
　　Theyhadnottakenmanysteps，onthechanceoffindingtheirhostess，whenaslightbuzzarose，andseemedtofollowthem。
　　Rosawonderedwhatthatwas；butonlyforamoment；sheobservedatall，stout，aquilinewomanfixaneyeofbitter，diabolical，malignanthatredonher；andassheadvanced，uglynoseswerecockeddisdainfully，andscraggyshoulderselevatedattheriskofsendingthebonesthroughtheleather，andatitterortwoshotafterher。Awoman'sinstinctgaveherthekeyatonce；thesexeshadcomplimentedheratsight；eachintheirway；themenwithrespectfuladmiration；thewomen，withtheirinflammablejealousyandreadyhatredinanotherofthequalitytheyvaluemostinthemselves。Butthecountrygirlwastoomanyforthem:shewouldneitherseenorbear，butmovedsedatelyon，andcalmlycrushedthemwithherSouthernbeauty。Theirdry，powderedfacescouldnotlivebythesideofherglowingskin，withnature'sdelicateglossuponit，andtherichbloodmantlingbelowit。Thegot-upbeauties，i。e。，themajority，seemedliterallytofadeandwitherasshepassed。
　　Mrs。Lucasgottoher，suppressedaslightmaternalpang，havingdaughterstomarry，andtookherlineinamoment；herewasadecoyduck。Mrs。Lucaswasallgraciousness，madeacquaintance，andtookalittleturnwithher，introducinghertooneortwopersons；
　　amongtherest，tothemalignantwoman，Mrs。Barr。Mrs。Barr，onthis，ceasedtolookdaggersandsubstitutedicicles；butonthehatefulbeautymovingaway，droppedtheicicles，andresumedtheponiards。
　　Theroomsfilled；theheatbecameoppressive，andthemixedodorsofflowers，scents，andperspiringhumanity，sickening。Some，unabletobearit，trickledoutoftheroom，andsatalldownthestairs。
　　Rosabegantofeelfaint。Upcameatall，sprightlygirl，whosepertnesswasredeemedbyacertainbonhomie，andsaid，"Mrs。
　　Staines，Ibelieve?Iamtomakemyselfagreeabletoyou。Thatistheorderfromheadquarters。"
　　"MissLucas，"saidStaines。
　　Shejerkedalittleoff-handbowtohim，andsaid，"Willyoutrusthertomeforfiveminutes?"
　　"Certainly。"Buthedidnotmuchlikeit。
　　MissLucascarriedheroff，andtoldDr。Staines，overhershoulder，nowhecouldflirttohisheart'scontent。
　　"Thankyou，"saidhedryly。"I'llawaityourreturn。"
　　"Oh，therearesomemuchgreaterflirtsherethanIam，"saidthereadyMissLucas；andwhisperingsomethinginMrs。Staines'sear，suddenlyglidedwithherbehindacurtain，pressedasortofbuttonfixedtoalooking-glassdoor。Thedooropened，andbeholdtheywereinadeliciousplace，forwhichIcanhardlyfindaword，sinceitwasaboudoirandaconservatoryinone:alargeoctagon，thewallslinedfromfloortoceilingwithlooking-glassesofmoderatewidth，atintervals，andwithcreepersthatcoveredtheinterveningspacesofthewall，andweretrainedsoastobreaktheoutlineoftheglasseswithoutgreatlycloudingthereflection。
　　Ferns，ingreatvariety，weregroupedinadeepcrescent，andinthebightofthisgreenbaywereasmalltableandchairs。Astherewerenohot-houseplants，thetemperaturewasverycool，comparedwiththereekingoventheyhadescaped；andalittlefountainbubbled，andfedalittlemeanderinggutterthattrickledawayamongtheferns；itrancrystalclearoverlittlebrightpebblesandshells。Itdidnotalwaysrun，youunderstand；butMissLucasturnedasecrettap，andstartedit。
　　"Oh，howheavenly!"saidRosa，withasighofrelief；"andhowgoodofyoutobringmehere!"
　　"Yes；byrightsIoughttohavewaitedtillyoufainted。Butthereisnomakingacquaintanceamongallthosepeople。Mammawillasksuchcrowds；oneislikeaflyinaglue-pot。"
　　MissLucashadgoodnature，smartness，andanimalspirits；hencearoseavivacityandfluencythatwereoftenamusing，andpassedforveryclever。Reserveshehadnone；wouldtalkaboutstrangers，orfriends，herself，hermother，herGod，andthelastbuffoon-
　　singer，inabreath。AtahintfromRosa，shetoldherwhotheladyinthepinkdresswas，andtheladyinthevioletvelvet，andsoon；foreachladywasdefinedbyherdress，and，moreorless，quizzedbythisshow-woman，notexactlyoutofmalice，butbecauseitissmarterandmorenaturaltodecrythantopraise，andalittlemedisanceisthespicetogossip，belongstoit，asmintsaucetolamb。Sotheychattedaway，andwerepleasedwitheachother，andmadefriends，andthere，incoolgrot，quiteforgotthesufferingsoftheirfellow-creaturesintheadjacentTurkishbath，ycleptsociety。ItwasRosawhofirstrecollectedherself。"WillnotMrs。Lucasbeangrywithme，ifIkeepyoualltomyself?"
　　"Ohno；butI'mafraidwemustgointothehot-houseagain。Ilikethegreenhousebest，withsuchanicecompanion。"
　　Theyslippednoiselesslyintothethrongagain，andwriggledabout，MissLucaspresentinghernewfriendtoseveralladiesandgentlemen。
　　PresentlyStainesfoundthem，andthenMissLucaswriggledaway；
　　andinduecoursetheroomwasthinnedbymanyguestsdrivingoffhome，ortoballs，andotherreceptions，andDr。StainesandMrs。
　　StaineswenthometotheBijou。Herethephysicianprescribedbed；
　　buttheladywouldnothearofsuchathinguntilshehadtalkeditallover。Sotheycomparednotes，andRosatoldhimhowwellshehadgotonwithMissLucas，andmadeafriendship。"Butforthat，"
　　saidshe，"IshouldbesorryIwentamongthosepeople，suchadowdy。"
　　"Dowdy!"saidStaines。"Why，youstormedthetown；youwerethegreatsuccessofthenight，and，forallIknow，oftheseason。"
　　Thewretchdeliveredthiswithunbecomingindifference。
　　"Itistoobadtomockme，Christie。Wherewereyoureyes?"
　　"Tothebestofmyrecollection，theywereoneoneachsideofmynose。"
　　"Yes，butsomepeopleareeyesandnoeyes。"
　　"Iscorntheimputation；tryme。"
　　"Verywell。Thendidyouseethatladyinsky-bluesilk，embroideredwithflowers，andflouncedwithwhitevelvet，andthecorsagepointlace；andoh，suchemeralds?"
　　"Idid；atall，skinnywoman，witheyesresemblingherjewelsincolor，thoughnotinbrightness。"
　　"Nevermindhereyes；itisherdressIamspeakingof。Exquisite；
　　andwhatacoiffure!Well，didyouseeHERintheblackvelvet，trimmedsodeepwithChantillylace，waveonwave，andherhead-
　　dressofcrimsonflowers，andsuchariviereofdiamonds；oh，dear!
　　oh，dear!"
　　"Idid，love。Theroomwasanoven，butherrubicundfaceandsuffocatingcostumemadeitseemafurnace。"
　　"Stuff!Well，didyouseetheladyinthecorn-coloredsilk，andpoppiesinherhair?"
　　"OfcourseIdid。Ceresinperson。Shemademefeelhot，too；butIcooledmyselfabitatherpale，sicklyface。"
　　"Nevermindtheirfaces；thatisnotthepoint。"
　　"Oh，excuseme；itisalwaysapointwithusbenightedmales，alleyesandnoeyes。"
　　"Well，then，theladyinwhite，withcherry-velvetbands，andawhitetunicloopedwithcrimson，andheaddressofwhiteillusion，alavierge，Ithinktheycallit。"
　　"Itwasveryrefreshing；andadaptedtothatawfulatmosphere。ItwasthenearestapproachtonudityIeversaw，evenamongstfashionablepeople。"
　　"Itwaslovely；andthenthatsuperbfigureinwhiteillusionandgold，withallthosenarrowflouncesoverherslipofwhitesilkglacee，andawreathofwhiteflowers，withgoldwheatearsamongstthem，inherhair；andoh!oh!oh!herpearls，oriental，andasbigasalmonds!"
　　"Andoh!oh!oh!hernose!reddish，andaslongasawoodcock's。"
　　"Noses!noses!stupid!Thatisnotwhatstrikesyoufirstinawomandressedlikeanangel。"
　　"Well，ifyouweretorunupagainstthatone，asInearlydid，hernoseWOULDbethethingthatwouldstrikeyoufirst。Nose!itwasarostrum!thespear-headofGoliah。"
　　"Now，don't，Christopher。Thisisnolaughingmatter。Doyoumeanyouwerenotashamedofyourwife?Iwas。"
　　"No，Iwasnot；youhadbutonerival；averyyounglady，wisebeforeherage；ablonde，withvioleteyes。Shewasdressedinlightmauve-coloredsilk，withoutasingleflounce，oranyothertomfoolerytofritterawaythesheenandcolorofanexquisitematerial；hersunnyhairwasanotherwaveofcolor，wreathedwithathinlineofwhitejessamineflowerscloselywoven，thatscentedtheair。Thisgirlwasthemoonofthatassembly，andyouwerethesun。"
　　"Ineverevensawher。"
　　"Eyesandnoeyes。Shesawyou，andsaid，'Oh，whatabeautifulcreature!'forIheardher。Asfortheoldstagers，whomyouadmireso，theirfaceswereallcloggedwithpowder，theporesstoppedup，thetruetextureoftheskinabolished。Theylookeddownrightnasty，wheneveryouorthatyounggirlpassedbythem。
　　Thenitwasyousawtowhatafrightfulextentwomenaregotupinourday，evenyoungwomen，andrespectablewomen。No，Rosa，dresscandolittleforyou；youhavebeauty——realbeauty。"
　　"Beauty!Thatpassesunnoticed，unlessoneiswelldressed。"
　　"ThenwhatanobscurepairtheApolloBelvidereandtheVenusdeMedicismustbe。"
　　"Oh!theyaredressed——inmarble。"
　　ChristopherStainesstaredfirst，thensmiled。
　　"Welldone，"saidhe，admiringly。"ThatISaknockdownblow。Sonowyouhavesilencedyourhusband，goyoutobeddirectly。I
　　can'taffordyoudiamonds；soIwilltakecareofthatlittleinsignificanttrifle，yourbeauty。"
　　Mrs。StainesandMrs。Lucasexchangedcalls，andsoonMrs。Stainescouldnolongercomplainshewasoutoftheworld。Mrs。Lucasinvitedhertoeveryparty，becauseherbeautywasaninstrumentofattractionsheknewhowtouse；andMissLucastookadownrightfancytoher；droveherinthepark，andonSundaystotheZoologicalGardens，justbeginningtobefashionable。
　　TheLucasesrentedaboxattheopera，andifitwasnotletatthelibrarybysixo'clock，andifotherengagementspermitted，wordwassentroundtoMrs。Staines，asamatterofcourse，andshewastakentotheopera。ShebeganalmosttoliveattheLucases，andtobeoftenerfatiguedthanmoped。
　　Theusualorderofthingswasinverted；themaidenladyeducatedthematron；forMissLucasknewallabouteverybodyinthePark，honorableordishonorable；allthescandals，andalltheflirtations；andwhateversheknew，sherelatedpoint-blank。Beingasinquisitiveasvoluble，shesoonlearnedhowMrs。Stainesandherhusbandweresituated。Shetookuponhertoadviseherinmanythings，andespeciallyimpresseduponherthatDr。Stainesmustkeepacarriage，ifhewantedtogetoninmedicine。ThepieceofadviceaccordedsowellwithRosa'swishes，thatsheurgeditonherhusbandagainandagain。
　　Heobjectedthatnomoneywascomingin，andthereforeitwouldbeinsanetoaddtotheirexpenses。Rosapersisted，andatlastworriedStaineswithherimportunity。Hebegantogiverathershortanswers。ThenshequotedMissLucasagainsthim。Hetreatedtheauthoritywithmarkedcontempt；andthenRosafiredupalittle。ThenStainesheldhispeace；butdidnotbuyacarriagetovisithisnopatients。
　　SoatlastRosacomplainedtoLadyCicelyTreherne，andmadeherthejudgebetweenherhusbandandherself。LadyCicelydrawledoutapromptbutpoliterefusaltoplaythatpart。Allthatcouldbeelicitedfromher，andthatwithdifficulty，was，"Whyquallwithyourhusbandaboutacawwige；heisyourbestfwiend。"
　　"Ah，thatheis，"saidRosa；"butMissLucasisagoodfriend，andsheknowstheworld。Wedon't；neitherChristophernorI。"
　　Soshecontinuedtonagatherhusbandaboutit，andtosaythathewasthrowinghisonlychanceaway。
　　Galledashewasbyneglect，thiswasirritating，andatlasthecouldnothelptellinghershewasunreasonable。"Youliveagaylife，andIasadone。Iconsenttothis，andletyougoaboutwiththeseLucases，becauseyouweresodull；butyoushouldnotconsulttheminourprivateaffairs。Theirinterferenceisindelicateandimproper。IwillnotsetupacarriagetillIhavepatientstovisit。Iamsickofseeingourcapitaldwindle，andnoincomecreated。IwillneversetupacarriagetillIhavetakenahundred-guineafee。"
　　"Oh!Thenweshallgosplashingthroughthemudallourdays。"
　　"Orrideinacab，"saidChristopher，withaquietdoggednessthatleftnohopeofhisyielding。
　　OneafternoonMissLucascalledforMrs。StainestodriveinthePark，butdidnotcomeup-stairs；itwasanengagement，andsheknewMrs。Staineswouldbeready，ornearly。Mrs。Staines，nottokeepherwaiting，camedownratherhastily，andintheverypassagewhippedoutofherpocketalittleglass，andalittlepowderpuff，andpuffedherfacealloverinatrice。Shewasthengoingout；
　　butherhusbandcalledherintothestudy。"Rosa，mydear，"saidhe，"youweregoingoutwithadirtyface。"
　　"Oh!"criedshe，"givemeaglass。"
　　"Thereisnoneedofthat。Allyouwantisabasinandsomenicerain-water。Ikeepalittlereservoirofit。"
　　Hethenhandedherthesamewithgreatpoliteness。Shelookedinhiseye，andsawhewasnottobetrifledwith。Shecompliedlikealamb，andtheheavenlycolorandvelvetglossthatresultedwereadmirable。
　　Hekissedherandsaid，"Ah!nowyouaremyRosaagain。Obligemebyhandingoverthatpowder-pufftome。"Shelookedvexed，butcomplied。"WhenyoucomebackIwilltellyouwhy。"
　　"Youareapest，"saidMrs。Staines，andsojoinedherfriend，rosywithrain-waterandarub。
　　"Dearme，howhandsomeyoulookto-day!"wasMissLucas'sfirstremark。
　　Rosaneverdreamedthatrain-waterandrubcouldbethecauseofherlookingsowell。
　　"Itismytiresomehusband，"saidshe。"Heobjectstopowder，andhehastakenawaymypuff。"
　　"Andyoustoodthat?"
　　"Obligedto。"
　　"Why，youpoor-spiritedlittlecreature，Ishouldliketoseeahusbandpresumetointerferewithmeinthosethings。Here，takemine。"
　　Rosahesitatedalittle。"Well——no——Ithinknot。"
　　MissLucaslaughedather，andquizzedhersoonherallowingamantointerfereinsuchsacredthingsasdressandcosmetics，thatshecamebackirritatedwithherhusband，andgavehimashortanswerortwo。Thenheaskedwhatwasthematter。
　　"Youtreatmelikeachild——takingawaymyverypuff。"
　　"Itreatyoulikeabeautifulflower，thatnobadgardenershallwitherwhilstIamhere。"
　　"Whatnonsense!Howcouldthatwitherme?Itisonlyvioletpowder——whattheyputonbabies。"
　　"AndwhoaretheHerodsthatputitonbabies?"
　　"Theirownmothers，thatlovethemtentimesmorethanthefathersdo。"
　　"Andkillahundredofthemforoneamaneverkills。Mothers!——
　　themostwholesalehomicidesinthenation。Wewillexamineyourviolet-powder:bringitdownhere。"
　　Whileshewasgonehesentforabreakfast-cupfulofflour，andwhenshecamebackhehadhisscalesout，andbeggedhertoputateaspoonfulofflourintoonescaleandofvioletpowderintoanother。Theflourkickedthebeam，asHomerexpresseshimself。
　　"Putanotherspoonfulofflour。"
　　Theonespoonfulofvioletpowderoutweighedthetwoofflour。
　　"Now，"saidStaines，"doesnotthatshowyouthepresenceofamineralinyourvegetablepowder?Isupposetheytellyouitismadeofwhitevioletsdried，andtrituratedinadiamondmill。Letusfindoutwhatmetalitis。Weneednotgoverydeepintochemistryforthat。"Hethenappliedasimpletest，anddetectedthepresenceofleadinlargequantities。Thenhelecturedher:
　　"Invisibleperspirationisaprocessofnaturenecessarytohealthandtolife。Theskinismadeporousforthatpurpose。Youcankillanybodyinanhourortwobyclosingthepores。Acertaininfallibleass，calledPopeLeoXII。，killedalittleboyintwohours，bygildinghimtoadornthepageantofhisfirstprocessionasPope。Butwhatisdeathtothewholebodymustbeinjurioustoapart。Whatmadness，then，toclogtheporesofsolargeandimportantasurfaceastheface，andchecktheinvisibleperspiration:howmuchmoretoinsertleadintoyoursystemeverydayofyourlife；acumulativepoison，andonesodeadlyandsosubtle，thattheSheffieldfile-cuttersdieintheirprime，frommerelyhammeringonaleadenanvil。Andwhatdoyougainbythissuicidalhabit?Noplumhasasweeterbloomormoredelicioustexturethantheskinofyouryoungface；butthismineralfilthhidesthatdelicatetexture，andsubstitutesadry，uniformappearance，morelikeacertainkindofleprosythanhealth。
　　Naturemadeyourfacetherivalofpeaches，roses，lilies；andyousay，'No；IknowbetterthanmyCreatorandmyGod；myfaceshallbelikeadustymiller's。'Gointoanyflour-mill，andthereyoushallseemenwithfacesexactlylikeyourfriendMissLucas's。
　　Butbeforeamillergoestohissweetheart，healwayswasheshisface。Youladieswouldnevergetamillerdowntoyourlevelinbrains。Itisamiller'sDIRTYfaceourmono-maniacsofwomanimitate，notthefaceamillergoesa-courtingwith。"
　　"La!whatafussaboutnothing!"
　　"Aboutnothing!Isyourhealthnothing?Isyourbeautynothing?
　　Well，then，itwillcostyounothingtopromisemenevertoputpowderonyourfaceagain。"
　　"Verywell，Ipromise。Nowwhatwillyoudoforme?"
　　"Workforyou——writeforyou——sufferforyou——beself-denyingforyou——andevengivemyselfthepainofdisappointingyounowandthen——lookingforwardtothetimewhenIshallbeabletosay'Yes'
　　toeverythingyouaskme。Ah!child，youlittleknowwhatitcostsmetosay'No'toYOU。"
　　Rosaputherarmsroundhimandacquiesced。Shewasoneofthosewhogowiththelastspeaker；but，forthatveryreason，theeternalcompanionshipofsoflightyandflirtyagirlasMissLucaswasinjurioustoher。
　　OnedayLadyCicelyTrehernewassittingwithMrs。Staines，smilinglanguidlyathertalk，andoccasionallydrawlingoutalittleplaingoodsense，whenincameMissLucas，withhertonguewellhung，asusual，anddashedintotwentytopicsintenminutes。
　　Thisyoungladyinherdiscoursewaslikethoselittleoilybeetlesyouseeinsmallponds，whosewholelifeisspentintacking——
　　confoundthemforit!——generallyatrightangles。WhattheyareinnavigationwasMissLucasinconversation:tackedsoeternallyfromtopictotopic，thatnomanonearth，andnoteverywoman，couldfollowher。
　　Atthesightandsoundofher，LadyCicelycongealedandstiffened。
　　EasyandunpretendingwithMrs。Staines，shewasalldignity，andevenmajesty，inthepresenceofthischatterbox；andthesmoothnesswithwhichthetransfigurationwasaccomplishedmarkedthataccomplishedactressthehigh-bredwomanoftheworld。
　　Rosa，betterabletoestimatethechangeofmannerthanMissLucaswas，whodidnotknowhowlittlethisSawnywasafflictedwithmisplaceddignity，lookedwistfullyanddistressedather。LadyCicelysmiledkindlyinreply，rose，withoutseemingtohurry，——
　　catchhercondescendingtoberudetoCharlotteLucas，——andtookherdeparture，withaprofoundandmostgraciouscourtesytotheladywhohaddrivenheraway。
　　Mrs。Stainessawherdown-stairs，andsaid，ruefully，"IamafraidyoudonotlikemyfriendMissLucas。Sheisagreatrattle，butsogood-naturedandclever。"
　　LadyCicelyshookherhead。"Clevaapeopledon'ttalksomuchnonsensebeforestrangaas。"
　　"Oh，dear!"saidRosa。"Iwasinhopesyouwouldlikeher。"
　　"DoYOUlikeher?"
　　"IndeedIdo；butIshallnot，ifshedrivesanolderfriendaway。"
　　"Mydyah，I'mnoteasilydwivenfromthoseIesteem。Butyouundastandthatisnotawomanformetomispwonowncemy'ah'sbefaw——NORFORYOUTOMAKEABOSOMFWIENDOF——WOSASTAINES。"
　　Shesaidthiswithasuddenmaternalsolemnityandkindnessthatcontrastednoblyandstrangelywithheryea-naystyle，andMrs。
　　Stainesrememberedthewordsyearsaftertheywerespoken。
　　ItsohappenedthatafterthisMrs。StainesreceivednomorevisitsfromLadyCicelyforsometime，andthatvexedher。Sheknewhersexenoughtobeawarethattheyareveryjealous，andshepermittedherselftothinkthatthishigh-mindedSawnywasjealousofMissLucas。
　　Thisidea，foundedonageneralestimateofhersex，wasdispelledbyafewlinesfromLadyCicely，tosayherfamilyandherselfwereindeepdistress；herbrother，LordAyscough，laydyingfromanaccident。
　　ThenRosawasallremorse，andrandowntoStainestotellhim。
　　Shefoundhimwithanopenletterinhishand。ItwasfromDr。
　　Barr，andonthesamesubject。Thedoctor，whohadalwaysbeenfriendlytohim，invitedhimtocomedownatoncetoHallowtreeHall，inHuntingdonshire，toaconsultation。Therewasafriendlyintimationtostartatonce，asthepatientmightdieanymoment。
　　Husbandandwifeembracedeachotherinatumultofsurprisedthankfulness。Afewnecessarieswerethrownintoacarpet-bag，andDr。StaineswassoonwhirledintoHuntingdonshire。Havingtelegraphedbeforehand，hewasmetatthestationbytheearl'scarriageandpeople，anddriventotheHall。Hewasreceivedbyanold，silver-hairedbutler，lookingverysad，whoconductedhimtoaboudoir；andthenwentandtappedgentlyatthedoorofthepatient'sroom。Itwasopenedandshutverysoftly，andLadyCicely，dressedinblack，andlookingpalerthanever，cameintotheroom。
　　"Dr。Staines，Ithink?"