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ON HIS WAY THROUGH THE WORLD 329
were landed in a real rosy Elysium in the Champs of that name.
Madame had a Carrick à l'Indienne prepared in compliment
to her guests. She had had many Indians in her establishment.
She adored Indians. N'était-ce la polygamie—they were most
estimable people the Hindus. Surtout, she adored Indian shawls.
That of Madame la Générale was ravishing. The company at
Madame's was pleasant. The Honourable Mrs. Boldero was a
dashing woman of fashion and respectability, who had lived in the
best world—it was easy to see that. The young ladies' duets
were very striking. The Honourable Mr. Boldero was away
shooting in Scotland at his brother, Lord Strongitharm's, and
would take Gaberlunzie Castle and the Duke's on his way south.
Mrs. Baynes did not know Lady Estridge, the ambassadress?
When the Estridges returned from Chantilly, the Honourable
Mrs. B. would be delighted to introduce her. "Your pretty
girl's name is Charlotte ? So is Lady Estridge's—and very nearly
as tall ;—fine girls the Estridges; fine long necks—large feet—but
your girl, Lady Baynes, has beautiful feet. Lady Baynes, I said ?
Well, you must be Lady Baynes soon. The General must be a
K.C.B. after his services. What, you know Lord Trim ? He will,
and must, do it for you. If not, my brother Strongitharm shall."
I have no doubt Mrs. Baynes was greatly elated by the attentions
of Lord Strongitharm's sister ; and looked him out in the Peerage,
where his Lordship's arms, pedigree, and residence of Gaberlunzie
Castle are duly recorded. The Honourable Mrs. Boldero's
daughters, the Misses Minna and Brenda Boldero, played some
rattling sonatas on a piano which was a good deal fatigued by
their exertions, for the young ladies' hands were very powerful.
And Madame said, "Thank you," with her sweetest smile; and
Auguste handed about on a silver tray—I say silver, so that the
convenances may not be wounded—well, say silver that was blushing
to find itself copper—handed up on a tray a white drink
which made the Baynes boys cry out, "I say, mother, what's
this beastly thing ?" On which Madame, with the sweetest smile,
appealed to the company, and said, " They love orgeat, these dear
infants !" and resumed her picquet with old M. Bidois—that odd
old gentleman in the long brown coat, with the red ribbon, who
took so much snuff and blew his nose so often and so loudly. One,
two, three rattling sonatas Minna and Brenda played ; Mr. Clancy,
of Trinity College, Dublin (M. de Clanci, Madame called him),
turning over the leaves, and presently being persuaded to sing some
Irish melodies for the ladies. I don't think Miss Charlotte Baynes
listened to the music much. She was listening to another music,
which she and Mr. Firmin were performing together. Oh, how