"I'll keep awake during his sermon, but I shan't promise to do more, Leah. You're runnin' this show."
"Quite so, but I don't want you to spoil it. Lionel has great influence with the Duke."
"Frightens the old man to death with texts and Tophet, I expect," said Jim, crossly. "I know these parsons."
"I was not aware that your circle of friends included such respectable acquaintances."
"Oh, I can hold a candle to a certain person as well as you, Leah. Who do we meet at Firmingham?"
"The usual dull lot," said Lady Jim, with a yawn. "Frith and his stupid little wife, who seems to model herself on David Copperfield's Dora. Then Lady Canvey, with her new companion, is sure to be present."
"Fancy havin' that death's-head at a Christmas feast. Who else, Leah?"
"That little Russian doctor, Demetrius. We met him at the Embassy, if you remember. Not the Russian Embassy, but the French. He's out of favour with the Czar, and dare not leave England in case he should be sent to Siberia."
"He can practise for it here," said Jim, shivering, "Beastly cold, isn't it, Leah? What's Demetrius doin' here?"
"Looking after the Duke's health. He says he can cure his gout."