To make the matter worse, some of the lady's guests wore eye-glasses,
through which they persisted in gazing at her, and conducted themselves
very unbecomingly. Indeed, they eat up all her supper, spoiled her
carpet, insulted her servants, and paid her certain left-handed
compliments because she had neither coffee nor wine on her side-board.
The foreigners, too, were inclined to be merry at the lady's
circumference, and at the awkwardness of her movements, as well as to be
severe on the style of her dress and the way she wore her hair.
"Who are these people?" enquired a young man, adjusting his eye-glass.
"Very new people," whispered another in reply.
"Vulgar, evidently--just set up to be somebody--don't understand it,"
rejoined a third, shrugging his shoulders.
Mr. Gusher, who had assisted the lady in beating up her recruits, had
assured them that the Chapmans were very distinguished people.
Mrs. Chapman was not more successful in setting up a carriage of her
own. She had done a great deal of pushing without affecting a lodgment
in the society she had set her heart on.
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