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40 noble descent and nobler fortune rose in vivid perspective. The next morning Lady Adelaide was surprised by her visitor at her harp. The open window and the figure were quite a picture—and Algernon had an eye for the picturesque. The Countess, however, only allowed time for effect, and entered. Conversation was soon pleasantly and easily begun. Nothing like feminine facilities for discourse; and with little talent and less information,—but with a tact, which, commenced by interest and sharpened by use, stood in lieu of both,—Lady Lauriston was a woman with whom it would be as wearisome to talk as it would be to perambulate long a straight gravel walk and neatly arranged flowers; but the first approach was easy—nay, even inviting. Lady Adelaide was what the French term spirituelle—one of those epithets which, like their bijouterie and souvenirs, are so neatly turned. Both saw at a glance that the common topics of the day would have reduced Algernon to silence;—he could take no part where he was so profoundly ignorant. Each, therefore, aided the other in guiding the dialogue to general subjects of taste, blent with a little tone of sentiment.