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 ? ah! let them once feel what real grief is, and there would be an end of their balls and réunions and postillions and outriders," he added, after an emphatic pause.

"But, I suppose," suggested Mrs. Hopkinson, doubtingly, "they do lose their friends and children like other people, and perhaps care about them."

Willis shook his head, and Mrs. Hopkinson again reverted to her favourite topic. "And did you hear nothing at all about the Queen, Mr. Greydon?"

"Nothing. Oh, yes! there was some arrangement made about a concert at the Palace. The Duchess was to take Miss Grenville, as Lady Chester was not going."

"Ah! not asked, so like our good Queen. She would not invite anybody in Lady Chester's position, and yet is kind to her sister. There never was such a sovereign. Are you going to this concert, Baroness?"

"No, it seems odd, but we are not asked this time," said the Baroness with an air of modest pride. "I suspect we are out of