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176 wore it yesterday evening, and I observe that your ribands are black this morning." Tears started in the countess's eyes, but she repressed them; and, forcing a smile, said, "I am glad to find that it is not my conduct, but my dress, that meets your disapprobation." "I thought," replied her husband, "and the event proves that I was right in so thinking, that you would only laugh at what I should urge; but women are incapable of a serious thought!" "Well!" returned Lady Marchmont, "at all events, you must allow me to be flattered at the interest you take in my personal appearance!" "You are quite mistaken!" exclaimed Lord Marchmont; "I know too well what I owe to my own dignity as a man, to interfere in such feminine trifles, unless peculiar circumstances gave a temporary importance, which certainly does not belong to their ephemeral nature: I object to your wearing black on political grounds."