“I like him because I have not read the books from which he has borrowed his opinions. Indeed, from their freshness, I should not be surprised to learn that he had them at first hand from living men, or even from his own observation of life.”
“I may explain to you, Miss Goff,” said Lucian, “that Lord Worthiugton is a young gentleman—”
“Whose calendar is the racing calendar,” interposed Lydia, “and who interests himself in favorites and outsiders much as Lucian does in prime-ministers and independent radicals. Would you like to go to Ascot, Alice?”
Alice answered, as she felt Lucian wished her to answer, that she had never been to a race, and that she had no desire to go to one.
“You will change your mind in time for next year’s meeting. A race interests every one, which is more than can be said for the opera or the Academy.”
“I have been at the Academy,” said Alice, who had made a trip to London once.
“Indeed!” said Lydia. “Were you in the National Gallery?”
“The National Gallery! I think not. I forget.”
“I know many persons who never miss an Academy, and who do not know where the National Gallery is. Did you enjoy the pictures, Alice?”
“Oh, very much indeed.”