 could name, to make it go down with
the whole. Just what I should have done with those ladies, sir, in the case of
any novelty you had left to me to bring in, they have done of themselves in this
case through knowing Lady Dedlock, and being perhaps a little innocently jealous
of her too, sir. You'll find, sir, that this topic will be very popular among my
high connexion. If it had been a speculation, sir, it would have brought money.
And when I say so, you may trust to my being right, sir; for I have made it my
business to study my high connexion, and to be able to wind it up like a clock,
sir.«
    Thus rumour thrives in the capital, and will not go down into Lincolnshire.
By half-past five, post meridian, Horse Guards' time, it has even elicited a new
remark from the Honourable Mr. Stables, which bids fair to outshine the old one,
on which he has so long rested his colloquial reputation. This sparkling sally
is to the effect that, although he always knew she was the best-groomed woman in
the stud, he had no idea she was a bolter. It is immensely received in
turf-circles.
    At feasts and festivals also: in firmaments she has often graced, and among
constellations she outshone but yesterday, she is still the prevalent subject.
What is it? Who is it? When was it? Where was it? How was it? She is discussed
by her dear friends with all the genteelest slang in vogue, with the last new
word, the last new manner, the last new drawl, and the perfection of polite
indifference. A remarkable feature of the theme is, that it is found to be so
inspiring that several people come out upon it who never came out before -
positively say things! William Buffy carries one of these smartnesses from the
place where he dines, down to the House, where the Whip for his party hands it
about with his snuff-box, to keep men together who want to be off, with such
effect that the Speaker (who has had it privately insinuated into his own ear
under the corner of his wig) cries »Order at the bar!« three times without
making an impression.
    And not the least amazing circumstance connected with her being vaguely the
town talk, is, that people hovering on the confines of Mr. Sladdery's high
connexion, people who know nothing and ever did know nothing about her, think it
essential to their reputation
