"
"But the people are not brought enough together," she said to her
lord.
"No, no; I don't think they are," said the bishop.
"And that is so essential for a conversazione," continued Mrs.
Proudie. "Now in Gloucester Place--" But we will not record all
her adverse criticisms, as Lady Lufton is waiting for us in the
ante-room. And now another arrival of moment had taken place;--an
arrival indeed of very great moment. To tell the truth, Miss
Dunstable's heart had been set upon having two special persons; and
though no stone had been left unturned,--no stone which could be
turned with discretion,--she was still left in doubt as to both
these two wondrous potentates. At the very moment of which we are
now speaking, light and airy as she appeared to be--for it was her
character to be light and airy--her mind was torn with doubts. If
the wished-for two would come, her evening would be thoroughly
successful; but if not, all her trouble would have been thrown away,
and the thing would have been a failure; and there were circumstances
connected with the present assembly which made Miss Dunstable very
anxious that she should not fail. That the two great ones of the
earth were Tom Towers of the _Jupiter_, and the Duke of Omnium, need
hardly be expressed in words.
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