expensive, roundabout, almost quaint processes, for her use, and whose leisured state, though generally
indefensible, was a decided boon to a breathless mate, and who was furnished with an easy, traditional,
though by no means exhaustive, answer to almost any social or practical question that could come up.
She often found Mr Bantlings answers very convenient, and in the press of catching the American post
would largely and showily address them to publicity. It was to be feared that she was indeed drifting
toward those abysses of sophistication as to which Isabel, wishing for a good-humoured retort, had
warned her. There might be danger in store for Isabel; but it was scarcely to be hoped that Miss Stackpole,
on her side, would find permanent rest in any adoption of the views of a class pledged to all the old
abuses. Isabel continued to warn her good-humouredly; Lady Pensils obliging brother was sometimes,
on our heroines lips, an object of irreverent and facetious allusion. Nothing, however, could exceed
Henriettas amiability on this point; she used to abound in the sense of Isabels irony and to enumerate
with elation the hours she had spent with this perfect man of the worlda term that had ceased to make
with her, as previously, for opprobrium. Then, a few moments later, she would forget that they had been
talking jocosely and would mention with impulsive earnestness some expedition she had enjoyed in his
company. She would say: Oh, I know all about Versailles;14 I went there with Mr Bantling. I was bound
to see it thoroughlyI warned him when we went out there that I was thorough: so we spent three days
at the hotel and wandered all over the place. It was lovely weathera kind of Indian summer, only not
so good. We just lived in that park. Oh yes; you cant tell me anything about Versailles. Henrietta appeared
to have made arrangements to meet her gallant friend during the spring in Italy.