dfullyshort-sighted,andthereisnopleasureintakinginahusbandwhoneverseesanything."

    Hergueststhiseveningwererathertedious.Thefactwas,assheexplaioDorian,behindaveryshabbyfan,oneofhermarrieddaughtershadeupquitesuddenlytostaywithher,and,tomakemattersworse,hadactuallybroughtherhusbandwithher."Ithinkitismostunkindofher,mydear,"shewhispered."OfcoandstaywiththemeverysummerafterIefromH,butthenanoldwomanlikememusthavefreshairsometimes,andbesides,Ireallywakethemup.Youdontknowwhataeheyleaddownthere.Itispureunadulteratedtrylife.Theygetupearly,becausetheyhavesomuchtodo,andgotobedearly,becausetheyhavesolittletothinkabout.TherehasnotbeenasdalintheneighbourhoodsiimeofQueenElizabeth,andsequentlytheyallfallasleepafterdinner.Youshantsitherofthem.Youshallsitbymeandamuseme."

    Dorianmurmuredagracefulplimentandlookedroundtheroom.Yes:itwascertainlyatediousparty.Twoofthepeoplehehadneverseenbefore,aherssistedofErHarrowdehosemiddle-agedmediocritiessooninLondonclubswhohavenoenemies,butarethhlydislikedbytheirfriends;LadyRuxton,anoverdressedwomanofforty-seven,withahookednose,whowasalwaystryingtogetherselfpromised,buteculiarlyplainthattreatdisappoinoonewouldeverbelieveanythingagainsther;Mrs.Erlynne,apushingnobody,withadelightfullispaian-redhair;LadyAliceChapman,hishostesssdaughter,adowdydullgirl,withohosecharacteristicBritishfacesthat,onceseen,areneverremembered;andherhusband,ared-cheeked,white-whiskeredcreaturewho,likesomanyofhisclass,wasuheimpressionthatinordinatejovial