Page:Lesbia Newman - Dalton - 1889.djvu/311

 ‘And many other old things are gone,’ added Rose. ‘The platforms of religion and morals are being newplanked; perhaps it was high time.’

‘Only it is our turn to lay the new planks,’ put in Lesbia, who stopped beside them at the moment, in her waltz with Julius Dandidimmons, whom she had whirled quite out of breath and made giddy. ‘Men have tried and failed. But about Queenstown, this is the second time we English have gained more real good from a crushing defeat than from our most brilliant victories. Hastings made us a world-leading nation; Queenstown, there is every reason to hope, has made us a world-bettering nation. But who comes here? Why, Rose! it’s your spiritual suppliant, the Bishop of Disestablishment! Happy to make your personal acquaintance, Dr Fairfax,’ she said, advancing to shake hands with him; ‘I saw you lately, but not to speak to, at the church of Saint Mylitta, you know. I heard from Mrs Lockstable that we might possibly have this honour. Meanwhile, I should have said, my lord.’

‘Nay, nay, lord me no lords, Miss Newman,’ replied the personage addressed. ‘I wish no man to say of me now, Ah, lord, or Ah, his glory. It’s a relief to doff titles, I assure you. What’s the use of titles without power? they’re only in one’s way. It is true that I am indebted to Mrs Lockstable for the pleasure of this visit; but the immediate reason for my coming down into the neighbourhood is some law affairs in which I rashly offered to assist my dark friend over there, who is talking to your uncle. But I don’t regret it now.’

‘You are quartered for the night at Frogmore, I presume,’ said Lesbia.

‘Yes, our business is there, with a lawyer of the name of Lyttelhurst.’

‘Oh, I know him well,’ said Lesbia; ‘he’s the chief of my