Lady Lyons was too much awed to contradict her.
"Poor dear thing! how do you feel now?" said Lady Lyons, turning again to Grace.
"I feel better, Lady Lyons, and we will go home," said Grace. "And Lady Penryn, I must apologise for disturbing you all. What funny things everybody said. Do you really believe in all that was said to-day?"
Lady Penryn coughed gently.
"My dear, the object of a meeting is to ventilate the subject."
"Oh! I see. Well then, you do not mind my saying that it all struck me as very absurd!"
"The question in itself is not absurd; and it should interest the moneyed class; and it is of general interest."
"Then it should interest me, as I am one of the moneyed class," laughed Grace; "at least, I have an income all to myself."
She was amused to see Lady Penryn look at her with redoubled interest when she made this statement.
"Let us trust, dear child, that you will use your wealth wisely. Now will you not have some tea or wine?" she continued, waxing hospitable.