“Well, well, do as you will,” said Lord Erpingham; “but I see how it will end. However, you will call on Lady Delville to-day?”
“If you wish it, certainly.”
“I do.”
Lady Delville was a proud, great lady; not very much liked and not so often invited by her equals as if she had been agreeable and a flirt.
Constance knew with whom she had to treat. She called on Lady Delville that day. Lady Delville was at home: a pretty and popular Mrs. Trevor was with her.
Lady Delville received her coolly—Constance was haughtiness itself.
“You go to the Duchess of Daubigny’s to-night?” said Lady Delville in the course of their broken conversation.
“Indeed I do not. I like agreeable society. It shall be my object to form a circle that not one displeasing person shall obtain access to. Will you assist me, my dear Mrs. Trevor?”—and Constance turned, with her softest smile, to the lady she addressed.
Mrs. Trevor was flattered: Lady Delville drew herself up.
“It is a small party at the duchess’s,” said the latter; “merely to meet the Duke and Duchess of C——.”