But it
did not seem to interest Geoffrey much, and Beatrice was feminine enough
to notice it, and to be glad of it. In her gentle jealousy, she did not
like to think of Geoffrey as being interested in accounts of mysterious
ladies, however pretty.
At length a speaker rose--she understood from the murmur of those around
her that he was one of the leaders of the Opposition, and commenced a
powerful and bitter speech. She noticed that Geoffrey roused himself at
this point, and began to listen with attention.
"Look," said one of the ladies near her, "Mr. Bingham is taking notes.
He is going to speak next--he speaks wonderfully, you know. They say
that he is as good as anybody in the House, except Gladstone, and Lord
Randolph."
"Oh!" answered another lady. "Lady Honoria is not here, is she? I don't
see her."
"No," replied the first; "she is a dear creature, and so handsome
too--just the wife for a rising man--but I don't think that she takes
much interest in politics. Are not her dinners charming?"
At this moment, a volley of applause from the Opposition benches drowned
the murmured conversation.
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