"Not exactly," replied Miss Vernon.
"Explain then, why it is that such a school has become so prevalent; and in painting too! The Royal Academy is filled with 'Dames' schools,' markets and kitchen scenery, and seems to endeavour in every way to make the modern and ancient style as unlike as the nature of the art will admit," rejoined the Earl.
"It is the confoundedly democratic tone of society; none but mechanics have money to buy pictures now," said Colonel Dashwood.
"It is the craving for novelty so prevalent in the present day," said Lady Desmond.
"Mr. Winter," said Miss Vernon, "used to say, that it was the gradual development of truth, that people began to see; it was absurd to consider that Oriental life had greater elements of poetry than our own, because it was farther off; or that princes or dukes, kings and queens, were the only subjects fit for poetry and painting, but that we began to feel that life, high or low, wherever sentient beings existed, loved, hated, or struggled, was matter enough for poetry or pictures."
"Mr. Winter is Miss Vernon's mentor, you must know," observed Lady Desmond.
"A capital fellow, he was most kind to Fred Egerton, so hospitable and droll," said the Colonel.
Further conversation was interrupted by the breaking up of the whist tables, and the subsequent departure of the guests.
"Can you take me into town with you to-morrow?" asked Lady Elizabeth of Lady Desmond.
"Do you know whether Mrs. Meredyth returns from —— to-morrow?"