Page:Romance & Reality 2.pdf/232

230 Charles was the first monarch dethroned by opinion. The belief in the right divine, or "that divinity which doth hedge a king," disappeared with their gold crown and sceptre. "You are not going yet, Charles?" said the hostess to her handsome nephew. "It is so early. Whither are you going?" "To bed. I am sitting for my picture, and must sleep for a complexion." "And you, Mrs. Lorraine?" "Oh, I have five other parties to go to." "Well," said Mrs. Trefusis—a little vexed that hers was breaking up so soon; and philosophy, ill-nature, and truth, are the three black graces, born of disappointment—"I always feel inclined to address you inveterate party-goers, with the man's speech at his wife's funeral: 'Ah, why, my dearest neighbours, make a trouble of a pleasure?'" She was not far wrong. Perhaps pleasure is, like virtue, but a name. Still, pleasure might be a little pleasanter; for surely there can be no great enjoyment in stepping from carriage to drawing-room, and from drawing-room to carriage—turning friends into acquaintance from the mere fact of meeting them so seldom, and annihilating conversation—for the flowers