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198
ETHEL CHURCHILL.

doned in one who has such cause for just pride! He is building up a noble monument in his language, which will last when we, with our small hopes and influences, are as much forgotten as if we had never been."

"I see no great good in being remembered," retorted Lady Mary: "I would fain concentrate existence in the present. I would forget in order to enjoy. As to memory, it only reminds me that I am growing older every day; and as to hope, it only puts one out of conceit with possession."

"All this is very true of our commonplace existences," replied Lady Marchmont; "but the gifted mind has a diviner element."

"'How charming is divine philosophy—
Not harsh and rugged, as dull fools believe,'"

exclaimed Lord Hervey, with a sneer.

"With the single exception of Lady Marchmont," said Wharton, "we have all behaved shamefully to-day. How I will admire the next thing that Pope writes! and, what is more, I will ride over to Twickenham to tell him so;"