"Nothing else is in question!" said her ladyship in a tone that would have been triumphant if it had not been so dry.
"Ah then!" And her neighbour shook his head sadly. He turned after this to Biddy. "The ladies whom I was with just now and in whom you were so good as to express an interest?" Biddy gave a sign of assent and he went on: "They're persons theatrical. The younger one's trying to go upon the stage."
"And are you assisting her?" Biddy inquired, pleased she had guessed so nearly right.
"Not in the least—I'm rather choking her off. I consider it the lowest of the arts."
"Lower than politics?" asked Peter Sherringham, who was listening to this.
"Dear no, I won't say that. I think the Théâtre Français a greater institution than the House of Commons."
"I agree with you there!" laughed Sherringham; "all the more that I don't consider the dramatic art a low one. It seems to me on the contrary to include all the others."
"Yes—that's a view. I think it's the view of my friends."
"Of your friends?"
"Two ladies—old acquaintances—whom I met in Paris a week ago and whom I've just been spending an hour with in this place."