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When the little conversation took place between Lady Monograestaffe, as recorded in the last chapter, Mr Mellory, and tickets for the entertainment were very precious Gradually their value subsided Lady Monogram had paid very dear for hers,--especially as the reception of Mr Brehgertpaid A lady offered to take Marie Melmotte into the country with her for a week; but this was before the elopement Mr Cohenlupe was asked out to dinner to meet two peers and a countess Lord Alfred received various presents A young lady gave a lock of her hair to Lord Nidderdale, although it was known that he was to ot back an IOU of considerable noh, as anxious to accommodate two country cousins ere in London Gradually the prices fell;--not at first froh that customary reaction which ht or nine o'clock on the evening of the party the tickets orth nothing The ruh the whole town fro home from clubs had told their wives Ladies who had been in the park had heard it Even the hairdressers had it, and ladies' roo horses and seated on the coach-boxes It had got into the air, and had floated round dining-rooms and over toilet-tables

I doubt whether Sir Damask would have said a word about it to his wife as he was dressing for dinner, had he calculated what ht be the result to himself But he came home open-mouthed, and made no calculation 'Have you heard what's up, Ju?' he said, rushing half-dressed into his wife's roo, and that kind of thing I don't want to take that girl into the Park I'veher here, but I ood-natured, Ju, whatever you are'

'Oh, bother! I knohat I'm about What is it you mean?'

'They say Melraement which would not need to be continued in the event of her not going to the reception 'What do you mean by found out?'

'I don't know exactly There are a dozen stories told It's soestaffe'