"
Meanwhile, an application was made to the Lord Chamberlain for Mrs.
Nelson Smith's presentation by her cousin Lady Annesley-Seton at the
first Court of the season. It was granted, and the bride in white and
silver made her bow to their majesties. As for Knight, he laughingly
refused Dick's good offices.
"No levees for me!" he said. "I've lived too long in America, and roughed
it in too many queer places, to take myself seriously in knee-breeches.
Besides, they have to know about your ancestors back to the Dark Ages,
don't they, or else they 'cancel' you? My father was a good man, and a
gentleman, but who _his_ father was I couldn't tell to save my head. My
mother was by way of being a swell; but she was a foreigner, so I can't
make use of any of her 'quarterings,' even if I could count them."
Annesley was presented in February, and had by that time been settled in
Portman Square long enough to have met many of her cousins' friends.
After the Court, which launched her in society, she and Knight (with a
list supplied by Connie) gave a dinner-dance. The Countess de Santiago
was not asked; but soon afterward there was a luncheon entirely for
women, in American fashion, at which the Countess was present.
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