Lady Amysfort’s cool accents had scarcely ceased before Mr Wakefield, who had listened with some attention, said loudly, “My dear lady, there is a great deal of sound sense in that and a great deal of nonsense. I detest your obscurantism, but on the main point I entirely agree with you. We must be positive and practical in our work, and the metaphysician is every bit as bad as the Liberal doctrinaire.”
The Duchess had had her temper considerably ruffled by the matter, and still more by the manner of Lady Amysfort’s discourse. She had an intense dislike of the Primrose League, and a suspicion of Disraeli, who had once said of her husband that his air suggested an “inspired rabbit.” Looking round the circle she saw no one disposed to take up the cudgels for her much-abused party, and Lady A
