was dreadful. This disposition was encouraged by many casual expressions respecting Lady Marchmont, and by some, also, that were intentional. Among others, there was a Lady Dudley, a family connexion of her own, who having perceived Mrs. Courtenaye's jealousy (for poor Constance was but little accustomed to dissemble), did her very best to encourage it.
Lady Dudley was just such a being as is formed by an entire existence amid those
"Thick solitudes,
Called social, where all vice and hatred are."
Her youth had passed in intrigues and vanities, and she still lived among them at second-hand: she now talked what she formerly did. Lady Marchmont was an object of her especial dislike; she feared her wit, and could not forgive her youth and beauty. Moreover, there was an interest in any on dit about one so much the rage; her looks, laces, and sayings, were equally invaluable as matters of gossip. Moreover, Lady Dudley flattered herself with filling the next best part to the principal, that of
