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 "That you certainly are," said the Baroness sharply. "However, I adore Shakespeare myself, and only wish I had time to read him. Indeed, I went once to see his School for Scandal; but revenons à nos moutons, I was thinking that you, perhaps, could go and call on the Hopkinsons and ask them to our second déjeuner on the 23rd, and tell them that my list is full for the 16th; that would put everything straight."

"No," said Rachel, "I do not know them; I do not want to bring them into this house, and I had rather not call on them."

"Oh! very well, take your own way; and perhaps, all things considered, I had better go myself. Ring, and order the carriage;" and the Baroness departed, rather ashamed of herself at heart, but still convinced she was doing the Hopkinsons great honour.

Her arrival disturbed a very good looking young man, who was sitting talking to Mrs. Hopkinson, and was making himself very agreeable, to judge from the sounds of laughter that met the Baroness on the stairs. He