But whenever their efforts are
unexpectedly, and for themselves unfortunately successful, they are
so taken aback that they lose the power of behaving themselves with
even gigantesque propriety.
Such, so great and so various, was to be the intended gathering
at Miss Dunstable's house. She herself laughed, and quizzed
herself--speaking of the affair to Mrs. Harold Smith as though it
were an excellent joke, and to Mrs. Proudie as though she were simply
emulous of rivalling those world-famous assemblies in Gloucester
Place; but the town at large knew that an effort was being made,
and it was supposed that even Miss Dunstable was somewhat nervous.
In spite of her excellent joking it was presumed that she would be
unhappy if she failed. To Mrs. Frank Gresham she did speak with some
little seriousness. "But why on earth should you give yourself all
this trouble?" that lady had said, when Miss Dunstable owned that she
was doubtful, and unhappy in her doubts, as to the coming of one of
the great colleagues of Mr. Supplehouse. "When such hundreds are
coming, big wigs and little wigs of all shades, what can it matter
whether Mr. Towers be there or not?" But Miss Dunstable had answered
almost with a screech,--
"My dear, it will be nothing without him.
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