Now it must be explained to the reader that
there had never been any friendship between Mrs Finn and Lady
Cantrip, though the ladies had met each other. The great political
intimacy which had existed between the Duke and Lord Cantrip had
created some intimacy between their wives. The Duchess and Lady
Cantrip had been friends,--after a fashion. But Mrs Finn had never
been cordially accepted by those among whom Lady Cantrip chiefly
lived. When therefore the name was announced, the servant
expressly stating that the visitor had asked for Lady Mary, Lady
Cantrip, who was with her guest, had to bethink herself what she
would do. The Duke, who was at this time very full of wrath
against Mrs Finn, had not mentioned this lady's name when
delivering up the charge of his daughter to Lady Cantrip. At this
moment it occurred to her that not improbably Mrs Finn would cease
to be included in the intimacies of the Palliser family from the
time of the death of the Duchess,---that the Duke would not care to
maintain the old relations, and that he would be as little anxious
to do it for his daughter as for himself.
Pages:
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175