Page:The Awkward Age (New York, Harper and Brothers, 1899).djvu/63

BOOK SECOND: LITTLE AGGIE to the son of a chimney-sweep if the principal guarantees were there. Nanda's charming—you don't do her justice. I don't say Mr. Mitchett is either beautiful or noble, and he hasn't as much distinction as would cover the point of a pin. He takes, moreover, his ease in talk—but that," added the Duchess with decision, "is much a matter of whom he talks with. And after marriage, what does it signify? He has forty thousand a year, an excellent idea of how to take care of it and a good disposition."

Mrs. Brookenham sat still; she only looked up at her friend. "Is it by Lord Petherton that you know of his excellent idea?"

The Duchess showed she was challenged, but also that she was indulgent. "I go by my impression. But Lord Petherton has spoken for him."

"He ought to do that," said Mrs. Brookenham—"since he wholly lives on him."

"Lord Petherton—on Mr. Mitchett?" The Duchess stared, but rather in amusement than in horror. "Why, hasn't he a—property?"

"The loveliest. Mr. Mitchett's his property. Didn't you know?" There was an artless wail in Mrs. Brookenham's surprise.

"How should I know—still a stranger as I'm often rather happy to feel myself here, and choosing my friends and picking my steps very much, I can assure you—how should I know about all your social scandals and things?"

"Oh, we don't call that a social scandal!" Mrs. Brookenham inimitably returned.

"Well, if you should wish to, you'd have the way that I told you of to stop it. Divert the stream of Mr. Mitchett's wealth."

"Oh, there's plenty for every one!"—Mrs. Brookenham kept up her tone. "He's always giving us things—bonbons and dinners and opera boxes." 53