“Yes; it shows what a mass of wealth and taste and refinement there is in this wonderful metropolis of ours, quite irrespective of the circles in which we move, and which we once thought entirely engrossed them.”
After the ladies had retired, Bertram, who dined at the same house, moved up to him; and Hugo Bohun came over and took the vacant seat on his other side.
“What have you been doing with yourself?” said Hugo. “We have not seen you for a week.”
“I went down to Oxford about some horses,” said Lothair.
“Fancy going down to Oxford about some horses in the heart of the season,” said Hugo. “I believe you are selling us, and that, as the Scorpion announces, you are going to be married.”
“To whom?” said Lothair.
“Ah! that is the point. It is a dark horse at present, and we want you to tell us.”
“Why do not you marry, Hugo?” said Bertram.
“I respect the institution,” said Hugo, “which is admitting something in these days; and I have always thought that every woman should marry, and no man.”
“It makes a woman and it mars a man, you think?” said Lothair.