ludicrous.

'Now, John, you had better have been giving Mrs. Kendal a chair all
this time.'

'Mrs. Kendal will excuse,' said Mr. Dusautoy, as he brought her a
seat.

'Mrs. Kendal has excused,' said Mrs. Dusautoy, bursting into a merry
fit of laughter. 'Oh, I never heard anything more charming than your
introduction! I beg your pardon, but I laughed last evening till I
was worn out, and waked in the night laughing again.'

It was exhilarating to find that any one laughed at Bayford, and
Albinia partook of the mirth with all her heart. 'Never was an
address more gratifying to me!' she said.

'It was like him! so unlike Bayford! So bold a venture!' continued
Mrs. Dusautoy amid peals of laughter.

'What is there to laugh at?' said Mr. Dusautoy, putting on a look
between merriment and simplicity. 'What else could I have done? I
should have done the same whoever I had met.'

'Ah! now he is afraid of your taking it as too great a compliment!
To do him justice I believe he would, but the question is, what
answer he would have had.'

'Nobody could have refused--' began Albinia.