'Economy is not the least of your Grace's virtues,' continued Mr. Podgers, and Lady Windermere went off into fits of laughter.
'Economy is a very good thing!' remarked the Duchess complacently; 'when I married Paisley he had eleven castles, and not a single house fit to live in.'
'And now he has twelve houses, and not a single castle,' cried Lady Windermere.
'Well, my dear,' said the Duchess, 'I like——'
'Comfort,' said Mr. Podgers, 'and modern improvements, and hot water laid on in every bedroom. Your Grace is quite right. Comfort is the only thing our civilisation can give us.'
'You have told the Duchess's character admirably, Mr. Podgers, and now you must tell Lady Flora's'; and in answer to a nod from the smiling hostess, a tall girl, with sandy Scotch hair, and high shoulder-blades, stepped awkwardly from behind the sofa, and held out a long, bony hand with spatulate fingers.
'Ah, a pianist! I see,' said Mr. Podgers, 'an excellent pianist, but perhaps hardly a musician. Very reserved, very honest, and with a great love of animals.'
'Quite true!' exclaimed the Duchess, turning to Lady Windermere, 'absolutely true! Flora
