"Isn't the room delightfully cool?" remarked Isabel.
"It is; the system of ventilation here is admirable. I wish I could introduce it at Vernacre."
"Vernacre is perfect as it is," said Miss Carnaby graciously, "so please don't begin to improve it. I am a good Liberal; and experience has taught me that there is nothing so deteriorating in its influence as improvement, nor so retrogressive in its tendency as reform."
"You are joking," replied Lord Wrexham, kindly explaining to Isabel that she did not mean what she said, "of course it is true that a too abrupt or sudden improvement partakes more of the nature of revolution than of reform; but a slow and steady tendency in a progressive direction, is the only healthy condition for a State as for an individual."
"Nevertheless, I have noticed that reform generally means discomfort, and that ventilation invariably means draughts."
"Proper ventilation ought not, however, to mean draughts; it should change the air imperceptibly, without causing a strong current anywhere. But you don't feel a draught here, do you, dear?" inquired his lordship anxiously, looking up at the high windows, "because, if so, I will find you another seat at once."
"Good gracious! no; how could I, on such a broiling night? I should think that even the Ministers are warm enough now."
"Are they not generally?"
"Not in their war-paint; bald heads and silk stockings are very chilly wear; it is like burning the candle at both ends."
"Or rather at neither; as candles are warm instead of cold."