"Not listening to the Opera," replied Mr. Spencer Newcomb, who was handing Lady Ellersby.
"As if any body ever really came to attend to or listen to it!" she observed; "it is the very last thing one comes to the Opera for," yawning.
"I have been much better employed," rejoined Lady Boileau, "for I have been defending the agrémens of Restormel against Lord and Lady Baskerville's assertion of its being the dullest place in the world; they both declared it always gave them the vapours."
"So it does me," replied Lady Ellersby, again yawning, "and that is precisely the reason why I take such special care never to go there, without having it well filled. But then all places in the country are alike, and one must go out of town at Easter."
"Well, Lady Ellersby, that may be true enough: all country places are insufferably dull except it be to give a fête during the lilac and laburnum season; but I think your friends might make some distinction between you and your place, and as far as I could observe there was none made by the Baskervilles."
"Oh was there not, he, he! Oh if such is the case I am sorry I asked them to-night."
"To-night! did you not make Lady Baskerville the invitation long before to-night? you will pardon my asking the question; I have a particular reason, which I will explain to you hereafter, for doing so."
"La, dear, no," yawning, "I never thought of asking any body long ago." This, though in contradiction to her former declaration of taking care to secure a party, she was obliged to say in order to avoid a marked rudeness to Lady Boileau, "and," she continued, "now I have the good fortune to meet you, dear Lady Boileau, will you and Lord Boileau have the charity to join us; and, notwithstanding Lady Baskerville's terrific account of Restormel, venture to come and egayer its melancholy bowers; at all events it will be better than remaining in town, and we will try to do what we can to render ourselves agreeable to you."
"I shall be delighted; we shall have the greatest pleasure in waiting upon you, and am certain we shall be extremely well amused."