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 them an invitation to Willis's festive board.

"It is most distressing," said the Baroness, faintly. "They must think me—me of all people in the world entirely without usage du monde. Why upon earth did you not introduce us, Mrs. Hopkinson?"

"Lady Chester requested I would not," quietly replied Mrs. Hopkinson.

The Baroness received a vague and unpleasant impression, that the request signified a disinclination on the part of Lady Chester to make her acquaintance, and with her mania for fashion and fashionable people this annoyed her extremely. Quite subdued, she set forth on her travels in search of a house, almost disposed to put up with the want of a billiard-table, and inclined to believe that Ivy Cottage would suit her better than Marble Hall. But a bright red flock paper in the dining-room of the latter mansion, with several vulgar chandeliers and over-gilt console tables, were too much for her, she thought the room would "light up sweetly."