'
"'And your chance has only proved a chance to lose it?'
"'I haven't lost it. I remember now--it was very stupid of me to
have forgotten. I told my maid to give it to Lord Dorimont--or at
least to his man.'
"'And Lord Dorimont went away directly after luncheon.'
"'Of course he gave it back to my maid--or else his man did,' said
Lady Augusta. 'I dare say it's all right.'
"The conscience of these people is like a summer sea. They haven't
time to look over a priceless composition; they've only time to
kick it about the house. I suggested that the 'man,' fired with a
noble emulation, had perhaps kept the work for his own perusal; and
her ladyship wanted to know whether, if the thing shouldn't
reappear for the grand occasion appointed by our hostess, the
author wouldn't have something else to read that would do just as
well. Their questions are too delightful! I declared to Lady
Augusta briefly that nothing in the world can ever do so well as
the thing that does best; and at this she looked a little
disconcerted. But I added that if the manuscript had gone astray
our little circle would have the less of an effort of attention to
make. The piece in question was very long--it would keep them
three hours.
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