THE SMALL HOUSE AT ALLINGTON

by

ANTHONY TROLLOPE

First published in serial form in _Cornhill Magazine_beginning in 1862 and in book form in 1864

CONTENTS

 I. The Squire of Allington II. The Two Pearls of Allington III. The Widow Dale of Allington IV. Mrs Roper's Boarding-House V. About L. D. VI. Beautiful Days VII. The Beginning of Troubles VIII. It Cannot Be IX. Mrs Dale's Little Party X. Mrs Lupex and Amelia Roper XI. Social Life XII. Lilian Dale Becomes a Butterfly XIII. A Visit to Guestwick XIV. John Eames Takes a Walk XV. The Last Day XVI. Mr Crosbie Meets an Old Clergyman on His Way to Courcy Castle XVII. Courcy Castle XVIII. Lily Dale's First Love-Letter XIX. The Squire Makes a Visit to the Small House XX. Dr Crofts XXI. John Eames Encounters Two Adventures, and Displays Great Courage in Both XXII. Lord De Guest at Home XXIII. Mr Plantagenet Palliser XXIV. A Mother-in-Law and a Father-in-Law XXV. Adolphus Crosbie Spends an Evening at His Club XXVI. Lord de Courcy in the Bosom of His Family XXVII. "On My Honour, I Do Not Understand It" XXVIII. The Board XXIX. John Eames Returns to Burton Crescent XXX. "Is It from Him?" XXXI. The Wounded Fawn XXXII. Pawkins's in Jermyn Street XXXIII. "The Time Will Come" XXXIV. The Combat XXXV. Væ Victis XXXVI. "See, the Conquering Hero Comes" XXXVII. An Old Man's Complaint XXXVIII. Doctor Crofts Is Called In XXXIX. Doctor Crofts Is Turned Out XL. Preparations for the Wedding XLI. Domestic Troubles XLII. Lily's Bedside XLIII. Fie, Fie! XLIV. Valentine's Day at Allington XLV. Valentine's Day in London XLVI. John Eames at His Office XLVII. The New Private Secretary XLVIII. Nemesis XLIX. Preparations for Going L. Mrs Dale Is Thankful for a Good Thing LI. John Eames Does Things Which He Ought Not to Have Done LII. The First Visit to the Guestwick Bridge LIII. Loquitur Hopkins LIV. The Second Visit to the Guestwick Bridge LV. Not Very Fie Fie after All LVI. Showing How Mr Crosbie Became Again a Happy Man LVII. Lilian Dale Vanquishes Her Mother LVIII. The Fate of the Small House LIX. John Eames Becomes a Man LX. Conclusion

CHAPTER I

The Squire of Allington

Of course there was a Great House at Allington. How otherwise shouldthere have been a Small House? Our story will, as its name imports, have its closest relations with those who lived in the less dignifieddomicile of the two; but it will have close relations also withthe more dignified, and it may be well that I should, in the firstinstance, say a few words as to the Great House and its owner. 

The squires of Allington had been squires of Allington since squires, such as squires are now, were first known in England. From fatherto son, and from uncle to nephew, and, in one instance, from secondcousin to second cousin, the sceptre had descended in the family ofthe Dales; and the acres had remained intact, growing in value andnot decreasing in number, though guarded by no entail and protectedby no wonderful amount of prudence or wisdom. The estate of Dale ofAllington had been coterminous with the parish of Allington for somehundreds of years; and though, as I have said, the race of squireshad possessed nothing of superhuman discretion, and had perhaps beenguided in their walks through life by no very distinct principles, still there had been with them so much of adherence to a sacred law, that no acre of the property had ever been parted from the hands ofthe existing squire. Some futile attempts had been made to increasethe territory, as indeed had been done by Kit Dale, the father ofChristopher Dale, who will appear as our squire of Allington when thepersons of our drama are introduced. Old Kit Dale, who had marriedmoney, had bought outlying farms, --a bit of ground here and a bitthere, --talking, as he did so, much of political influence and ofthe good old Tory cause. But these farms and bits of ground had goneagain before our time. To them had been attached no religion. Whenold Kit had found himself pressed in that matter of the majorityof the Nineteenth Dragoons, in which crack regiment his second sonmade for himself quite a career, he found it easier to sell thanto save--seeing that that which he sold was his own and not thepatrimony of the Dales. At his death the remainder of these purchaseshad gone. Family arrangements required completion, and ChristopherDale required ready money. The outlying farms flew away, as suchnew purchases had flown before; but the old patrimony of the Dalesremained untouched, as it had ever remained. 

It had been a religion among them; and seeing that the worship hadbeen carried on without fail, that the vestal fire had never gonedown upon the hearth, I should not have said that the Dales hadwalked their ways without high principle. To this religion they hadall adhered, and the new heir had ever entered in upon his domainwithout other encumbrances than those with which he himself was thenalready burdened. And yet there had been no entail. The idea of anentail was not in accordance with the peculiarities of the Dale mind. It was necessary to the Dale religion that each squire should havethe power of wasting the acres of Allington, --and that he shouldabstain from wasting them. I remember to have dined at a house, thewhole glory and fortune of which depended on the safety of a glassgoblet. We all know the story. If the luck of Edenhall should beshattered, the doom of the family would be sealed. Nevertheless I wasbidden to drink out of the fatal glass, as were all guests in thathouse. It would not have contented the chivalrous mind of the masterto protect his doom by lock and key and padded chest. And so it waswith the Dales of Allington. To them an entail would have been alock and key and a padded chest; but the old chivalry of their housedenied to them the use of such protection. 

I have spoken something slightingly of the acquirements and doingsof the family; and indeed their acquirements had been few and theirdoings little. At Allington, Dale of Allington had always beenknown as a king. At Guestwick, the neighbouring market town, he wasa great man--to be seen frequently on Saturdays, standing in themarket-place, and laying down the law as to barley and oxen amongmen who knew usually more about barley and oxen than did he. AtHamersham, the assize town, he was generally in some repute, beinga constant grand juror for the county, and a man who paid his way. But even at Hamersham the glory of the Dales had, at most periods, begun to pale, for they had seldom been widely conspicuous in thecounty, and had earned no great reputation by their knowledge ofjurisprudence in the grand jury room. Beyond Hamersham their famehad not spread itself. 

They had been men generally built in the same mould, inheriting eachfrom his father the same virtues and the same vices, --men who wouldhave lived, each, as his father had lived before him, had not the newways of the world gradually drawn away with them, by an invisiblemagnetism, the upcoming Dale of the day, --not indeed in any case somoving him as to bring him up to the spirit of the age in which helived, but dragging him forward to a line in advance of that onwhich his father had trodden. They had been obstinate men; believingmuch in themselves; just according to their ideas of justice; hardto their tenants but not known to be hard even by the tenantsthemselves, for the rules followed had ever been the rules onthe Allington estate; imperious to their wives and children, butimperious within bounds, so that no Mrs Dale had fled from her lord'sroof, and no loud scandals had existed between father and sons;exacting in their ideas as to money, expecting that they were toreceive much and to give little, and yet not thought to be mean, for they paid their way, and gave money in parish charity and incounty charity. They had ever been steady supporters of the Church, graciously receiving into their parish such new vicars as, from timeto time, were sent to them from King's College, Cambridge, to whichestablishment the gift of the living belonged, --but, nevertheless, the Dales had ever carried on some unpronounced warfare against theclergyman, so that the intercourse between the lay family and theclerical had seldom been in all respects pleasant. 

Such had been the Dales of Allington, time out of mind, and such inall respects would have been the Christopher Dale of our time, had henot suffered two accidents in his youth. He had fallen in love witha lady who obstinately refused his hand, and on her account he hadremained single; that was his first accident. The second had fallenupon him with reference to his father's assumed wealth. He hadsupposed himself to be richer than other Dales of Allington whencoming in upon his property, and had consequently entertained anidea of sitting in Parliament for his county. In order that he mightattain this honour he had allowed himself to be talked by the menof Hamersham and Guestwick out of his old family politics, and haddeclared himself a Liberal. He had never gone to the poll, and, indeed, had never actually stood for the seat. But he had comeforward as a liberal politician, and had failed; and, although itwas well known to all around that Christopher Dale was in heart asthoroughly conservative as any of his forefathers, this accident hadmade him sour and silent on the subject of politics, and had somewhatestranged him from his brother squires. 

In other respects our Christopher Dale was, if anything, superior tothe average of the family. Those whom he did love he loved dearly. Those whom he hated he did not ill-use beyond the limits of justice. He was close in small matters of money, and yet in certain familyarrangements he was, as we shall see, capable of much liberality. Heendeavoured to do his duty in accordance with his lights, and hadsucceeded in weaning himself from personal indulgences, to whichduring the early days of his high hopes he had become accustomed. Andin that matter of his unrequited love he had been true throughout. In his hard, dry, unpleasant way he had loved the woman; and when atleast he learned to know that she would not have his love, he hadbeen unable to transfer his heart to another. This had happenedjust at the period of his father's death, and he had endeavoured toconsole himself with politics, with what fate we have already seen. Aconstant, upright, and by no means insincere man was our ChristopherDale, --thin and meagre in his mental attributes, by no means evenunderstanding the fullness of a full man, with power of eye-sightvery limited in seeing aught which was above him, but yet worthy ofregard in that he had realised a path of duty and did endeavour towalk therein. And, moreover, our Mr Christopher Dale was a gentleman. 

Such in character was the squire of Allington, the only regularinhabitant of the Great House. In person, he was a plain, dry man, with short grizzled hair and thick grizzled eyebrows. Of beard, hehad very little, carrying the smallest possible grey whiskers, whichhardly fell below the points of his ears. His eyes were sharp andexpressive, and his nose was straight and well formed, --as was alsohis chin. But the nobility of his face was destroyed by a mean mouthwith thin lips; and his forehead, which was high and narrow, thoughit forbad you to take Mr Dale for a fool, forbad you also to takehim for a man of great parts, or of a wide capacity. In height, hewas about five feet ten; and at the time of our story was as near toseventy as he was to sixty. But years had treated him very lightly, and he bore few signs of age. Such in person was Christopher Dale, Esq. , the squire of Allington, and owner of some three thousand ayear, all of which proceeded from the lands of that parish. 

And now I will speak of the Great House of Allington. After all, itwas not very great; nor was it surrounded by much of that exquisitenobility of park appurtenance which graces the habitations of most ofour old landed proprietors. But the house itself was very graceful. It had been built in the days of the early Stuarts, in that style ofarchitecture to which we give the name of the Tudors. On its front itshowed three pointed roofs, or gables, as I believe they should becalled; and between each gable a thin tall chimney stood, the twochimneys thus raising themselves just above the three peaks I havementioned. I think that the beauty of the house depended much onthose two chimneys; on them, and on the mullioned windows with whichthe front of the house was closely filled. The door, with its juttingporch, was by no means in the centre of the house. As you entered, there was but one window on your right hand, while on your left therewere three. And over these there was a line of five windows, onetaking its place above the porch. We all know the beautiful oldTudor window, with its stout stone mullions and its stone transoms, crossing from side to side at a point much nearer to the top thanto the bottom. Of all windows ever invented it is the sweetest. Andhere, at Allington, I think their beauty was enhanced by the factthat they were not regular in their shape. Some of these windows werelong windows, while some of them were high. That to the right of thedoor, and that at the other extremity of the house, were among theformer. But the others had been put in without regard to uniformity, a long window here, and a high window there, with a general effectwhich could hardly have been improved. Then above, in the threegables, were three other smaller apertures. But these also weremullioned, and the entire frontage of the house was uniform in itsstyle. 

Round the house there were trim gardens, not very large, but worthyof much note in that they were so trim, --gardens with broad gravelpaths, with one walk running in front of the house so broad as tobe fitly called a terrace. But this, though in front of the house, was sufficiently removed from it to allow of a coach-road runninginside it to the front door. The Dales of Allington had always beengardeners, and their garden was perhaps more noted in the county thanany other of their properties. But outside the gardens no pretensionshad been made to the grandeur of a domain. The pastures round thehouse were but pretty fields, in which timber was abundant. There wasno deer-park at Allington; and though the Allington woods were wellknown, they formed no portion of a whole of which the house was apart. They lay away, out of sight, a full mile from the back ofthe house; but not on that account of less avail for the fittingpreservation of foxes. 

And the house stood much too near the road for purposes of grandeur, had such purposes ever swelled the breast of any of the squires ofAllington. But I fancy that our ideas of rural grandeur have alteredsince many of our older country seats were built. To be near thevillage, so as in some way to afford comfort, protection, andpatronage, and perhaps also with some view to the pleasantness ofneighbourhood for its own inmates, seemed to be the object of agentleman when building his house in the old days. A solitude in thecentre of a wide park is now the only site that can be recognised aseligible. No cottage must be seen, unless the cottage _orné_ of thegardener. The village, if it cannot be abolished, must be got out ofsight. The sound of the church bells is not desirable, and the roadon which the profane vulgar travel by their own right must be at adistance. When some old Dale of Allington built his house, he thoughtdifferently. There stood the church and there the village, and, pleased with such vicinity, he sat himself down close to his God andto his tenants. 

As you pass along the road from Guestwick into the village you seethe church near to you on your left hand; but the house is hiddenfrom the road. As you approach the church, reaching the gate of itwhich is not above two hundred yards from the high road, you see thefull front of the Great House. Perhaps the best view of it is fromthe churchyard. The lane leading up to the church ends in a gate, which is the entrance into Mr Dale's place. There is no lodge there, and the gate generally stands open, --indeed, always does so, unlesssome need of cattle grazing within requires that it should be closed. But there is an inner gate, leading from the home paddock throughthe gardens to the house, and another inner gate, some thirty yardsfarther on, which will take you into the farmyard. Perhaps it is adefect at Allington that the farmyard is very close to the house. Butthe stables, and the straw-yards, and the unwashed carts, and thelazy lingering cattle of the homestead, are screened off by a row ofchestnuts, which, when in its glory of flower, in the early days ofMay, no other row in England can surpass in beauty. Had any one toldDale of Allington, --this Dale or any former Dale, --that his placewanted wood, he would have pointed with mingled pride and disdain tohis belt of chestnuts. 

Of the church itself I will say the fewest possible number ofwords. It was a church such as there are, I think, thousands inEngland--low, incommodious, kept with difficulty in repair, too oftenpervious to the wet, and yet strangely picturesque, and correct too, according to great rules of architecture. It was built with a naveand aisles, visibly in the form of a cross, though with its armsclipped down to the trunk, with a separate chancel, with a largesquare short tower, and with a bell-shaped spire, covered with leadand irregular in its proportions. Who does not know the low porch, the perpendicular Gothic window, the flat-roofed aisles, and thenoble old grey tower of such a church as this? As regards itsinterior, it was dusty; it was blocked up with high-backed ugly pews;the gallery in which the children sat at the end of the church, andin which two ancient musicians blew their bassoons, was all awry, and looked as though it would fall; the pulpit was an ugly uselessedifice, as high nearly as the roof would allow, and the reading-deskunder it hardly permitted the parson to keep his head free from thedangling tassels of the cushion above him. A clerk also was therebeneath him, holding a third position somewhat elevated; and uponthe whole things there were not quite as I would have had them. But, nevertheless, the place looked like a church, and I can hardly sayso much for all the modern edifices which have been built in my daystowards the glory of God. It looked like a church, and not the lessso because in walking up the passage between the pews the visitortrod upon the brass plates which dignified the resting-places of thedeparted Dales of old. 

Below the church, and between that and the village, stood thevicarage, in such position that the small garden of the vicaragestretched from the churchyard down to the backs of the villagecottages. This was a pleasant residence, newly built within the lastthirty years, and creditable to the ideas of comfort entertained bythe rich collegiate body from which the vicars of Allington alwayscame. Doubtless we shall in the course of our sojourn at Allingtonvisit the vicarage now and then, but I do not know that any furtherdetailed account of its comforts will be necessary to us. 

Passing by the lane leading to the vicarage, the church, and to thehouse, the high road descends rapidly to a little brook which runsthrough the village. On the right as you descend you will have seenthe "Red Lion, " and will have seen no other house conspicuous in anyway. At the bottom, close to the brook, is the post-office, keptsurely by the crossest old woman in all those parts. Here the roadpasses through the water, the accommodation of a narrow wooden bridgehaving been afforded for those on foot. But before passing thestream, you will see a cross street, running to the left, as had runthat other lane leading to the house. Here, as this cross streetrises the hill, are the best houses in the village. The baker liveshere, and that respectable woman, Mrs Frummage, who sells ribbons, and toys, and soap, and straw bonnets, with many other things toolong to mention. Here, too, lives an apothecary, whom the venerationof this and neighbouring parishes has raised to the dignity of adoctor. And here also, in the smallest but prettiest cottage that canbe imagined, lives Mrs Hearn, the widow of a former vicar, on terms, however, with her neighbour the squire which I regret to say are notas friendly as they should be. Beyond this lady's modest residence, Allington Street, for so the road is called, turns suddenly roundtowards the church, and at the point of the turn is a pretty low ironrailing with a gate, and with a covered way, which leads up to thefront door of the house which stands there, I will only say here, atthis fag end of a chapter, that it is the Small House at Allington. Allington Street, as I have said, turns short round towards thechurch at this point, and there ends at a white gate, leading intothe churchyard by a second entrance. 

So much it was needful that I should say of Allington Great House, of the Squire, and of the village. Of the Small House, I will speakseparately in a further chapter. 

CHAPTER II

The Two Pearls of Allington

"But Mr Crosbie is only a mere clerk. "

This sarcastic condemnation was spoken by Miss Lilian Dale to hersister Isabella, and referred to a gentleman with whom we shall havemuch concern in these pages. I do not say that Mr Crosbie will be ourhero, seeing that that part in the drama will be cut up, as it were, into fragments. Whatever of the magnificent may be produced will bediluted and apportioned out in very moderate quantities among two ormore, probably among three or four, young gentlemen--to none of whomwill be vouchsafed the privilege of much heroic action. 

"I don't know what you call a mere clerk, Lily. Mr Fanfaron is a merebarrister, and Mr Boyce is a mere clergyman. " Mr Boyce was the vicarof Allington, and Mr Fanfaron was a lawyer who had made his way overto Allington during the last assizes. "You might as well say thatLord De Guest is a mere earl. "

"So he is--only a mere earl. Had he ever done anything except havefat oxen, one wouldn't say so. You know what I mean by a mere clerk?It isn't much in a man to be in a public office, and yet Mr Crosbiegives himself airs. "

"You don't suppose that Mr Crosbie is the same as John Eames, " saidBell, who, by her tone of voice, did not seem inclined to undervaluethe qualifications of Mr Crosbie. Now John Eames was a young man fromGuestwick, who had been appointed to a clerkship in the Income-taxoffice, with eighty pounds a year, two years ago. 

"Then Johnny Eames is a mere clerk, " said Lily; "and Mr Crosbie is--After all, Bell, what is Mr Crosbie, if he is not a mere clerk? Ofcourse, he is older than John Eames; and, as he has been longer atit, I suppose he has more than eighty pounds a year. "

"I am not in Mr Crosbie's confidence. He is in the General CommitteeOffice, I know; and, I believe, has pretty nearly the management ofthe whole of it. I have heard Bernard say that he has six or sevenyoung men under him, and that--; but, of course, I don't know what hedoes at his office. "

"I'll tell you what he is, Bell; Mr Crosbie is a swell. " And LilianDale was right; Mr Crosbie was a swell. 

And here I may perhaps best explain who Bernard was, and who wasMr Crosbie. Captain Bernard Dale was an officer in the corps ofEngineers, was the first cousin of the two girls who have beenspeaking, and was nephew and heir presumptive to the squire. Hisfather, Colonel Dale, and his mother, Lady Fanny Dale, were stillliving at Torquay--an effete, invalid, listless couple, pretty welldead to all the world beyond the region of the Torquay card-tables. He it was who had made for himself quite a career in the NineteenthDragoons. This he did by eloping with the penniless daughter of thatimpoverished earl, the Lord De Guest. After the conclusion of thatevent circumstances had not afforded him the opportunity of makinghimself conspicuous; and he had gone on declining gradually in theworld's esteem--for the world had esteemed him when he first madegood his running with the Lady Fanny--till now, in his slipperedyears, he and his Lady Fanny were unknown except among those TorquayBath chairs and card-tables. His elder brother was still a heartyman, walking in thick shoes, and constant in his saddle; but thecolonel, with nothing beyond his wife's title to keep his body awake, had fallen asleep somewhat prematurely among his slippers. Of him andof Lady Fanny, Bernard Dale was the only son. Daughters they had had;some were dead, some married, and one living with them among thecard-tables. Of his parents Bernard had latterly not seen much; notmore, that is, than duty and a due attention to the fifth commandmentrequired of him. He also was making a career for himself, havingobtained a commission in the Engineers, and being known to all hiscompeers as the nephew of an earl, and as the heir to a propertyof three thousand a year. And when I say that Bernard Dale was notinclined to throw away any of these advantages, I by no means intendto speak in his dispraise. The advantage of being heir to a goodproperty is so manifest, --the advantages over and beyond those whichare merely fiscal, --that no man thinks of throwing them away, orexpects another man to do so. Moneys in possession or in expectationdo give a set to the head, and a confidence to the voice, and anassurance to the man, which will help him much in his walk inlife--if the owner of them will simply use them, and not abuse them. And for Bernard Dale I will say that he did not often talk of hisuncle the earl. He was conscious that his uncle was an earl, and thatother men knew the fact. He knew that he would not otherwise havebeen elected at the Beaufort, or at that most aristocratic of littleclubs called Sebright's. When noble blood was called in question henever alluded specially to his own, but he knew how to speak as oneof whom all the world was aware on which side he had been placed bythe circumstances of his birth. Thus he used his advantage, and didnot abuse it. And in his profession he had been equally fortunate. By industry, by a small but wakeful intelligence, and by some aidfrom patronage, he had got on till he had almost achieved thereputation of talent. His name had become known among scientificexperimentalists, not as that of one who had himself invented acannon or an antidote to a cannon, but as of a man understanding incannons and well fitted to look at those invented by others; whowould honestly test this or that antidote; or, if not honestly, seeing that such thin-minded men can hardly go to the proof of anymatter without some pre-judgment in their minds, at any rate withsuch appearance of honesty that the world might be satisfied. And inthis way Captain Dale was employed much at home, about London; andwas not called on to build barracks in Nova Scotia, or to make roadsin the Punjaub. 

He was a small slight man, smaller than his uncle, but in face verylike him. He had the same eyes, and nose, and chin, and the samemouth; but his forehead was better, --less high and pointed, andbetter formed about the brows. And then he wore moustaches, whichsomewhat hid the thinness of his mouth. On the whole, he was notill-looking; and, as I have said before, he carried with him an airof self-assurance and a confident balance, which in itself gives agrace to a young man. 

He was staying at the present time in his uncle's house, during thedelicious warmth of the summer, --for, as yet, the month of July wasnot all past; and his intimate friend, Adolphus Crosbie, who wasor was not a mere clerk as my readers may choose to form their ownopinions on that matter, was a guest in the house with him. I aminclined to say that Adolphus Crosbie was not a mere clerk; and Ido not think that he would have been so called, even by Lily Dale, had he not given signs to her that he was a "swell. " Now a man inbecoming a swell, --a swell of such an order as could possibly beknown to Lily Dale, --must have ceased to be a mere clerk in that veryprocess. And, moreover, Captain Dale would not have been Damon to anyPythias of whom it might fairly be said that he was a mere clerk. Norcould any mere clerk have got himself in either at the Beaufort or atSebright's. The evidence against that former assertion made by LilyDale is very strong; but then the evidence as to her latter assertionis as strong, Mr Crosbie certainly was a swell. It is true that hewas a clerk in the General Committee Office. But then, in the firstplace, the General Committee Office is situated in Whitehall; whereaspoor John Eames was forced to travel daily from his lodgings inBurton Crescent, ever so far beyond Russell Square, to his dingy roomin Somerset House. And Adolphus Crosbie, when very young, had beena private secretary, and had afterwards mounted up in his office tosome quasi authority and senior-clerkship, bringing him in sevenhundred a year, and giving him a status among assistant secretariesand the like, which even in an official point of view was something. But the triumphs of Adolphus Crosbie had been other than these. Notbecause he had been intimate with assistant secretaries, and wasallowed in Whitehall a room to himself with an arm-chair, would hehave been entitled to stand upon the rug at Sebright's and speakwhile rich men listened, --rich men, and men also who had handles totheir names! Adolphus Crosbie had done more than make minutes withdiscretion on the papers of the General Committee Office. He had sethimself down before the gates of the city of fashion, and had takenthem by storm; or, perhaps, to speak with more propriety, he hadpicked the locks and let himself in. In his walks of life he wassomebody in London. A man at the West End who did not know who wasAdolphus Crosbie knew nothing. I do not say that he was the intimatefriend of many great men; but even great men acknowledged theacquaintance of Adolphus Crosbie, and he was to be seen in thedrawing-rooms, or at any rate on the staircases, of CabinetMinisters. 

Lilian Dale, dear Lily Dale--for my reader must know that she is tobe very dear, and that my story will be nothing to him if he do notlove Lily Dale--Lilian Dale had discovered that Mr Crosbie was aswell. But I am bound to say that Mr Crosbie did not habituallyproclaim the fact in any offensive manner; nor in becoming a swellhad he become altogether a bad fellow. It was not to be expectedthat a man who was petted at Sebright's should carry himself in theAllington drawing-room as would Johnny Eames, who had never beenpetted by any one but his mother. And this fraction of a hero of ourshad other advantages to back him, over and beyond those which fashionhad given him. He was a tall, well-looking man, with pleasant eyesand an expressive mouth, --a man whom you would probably observe inwhatever room you might meet him. And he knew how to talk, and hadin him something which justified talking. He was no butterfly ordandy, who flew about in the world's sun, warmed into prettinessby a sunbeam. Crosbie had his opinion on things, --on politics, onreligion, on the philanthropic tendencies of the age, and had readsomething here and there as he formed his opinion. Perhaps he mighthave done better in the world had he not been placed so early in lifein that Whitehall public office. There was that in him which mighthave earned better bread for him in an open profession. 

But in that matter of his bread the fate of Adolphus Crosbie had bythis time been decided for him, and he had reconciled himself to fatethat was now inexorable. Some very slight patrimony, a hundred a yearor so, had fallen to his share. Beyond that he had his salary fromhis office, and nothing else; and on his income, thus made up, he hadlived as a bachelor in London, enjoying all that London could givehim as a man in moderately easy circumstances, and looking forward tono costly luxuries, --such as a wife, a house of his own, or a stablefull of horses. Those which he did enjoy of the good things of theworld would, if known to John Eames, have made him appear fabulouslyrich in the eyes of that brother clerk. His lodgings in Mount Streetwere elegant in their belongings. During three months of the seasonin London he called himself the master of a very neat hack. He wasalways well dressed, though never overdressed. At his clubs he couldlive on equal terms with men having ten times his income. He wasnot married. He had acknowledged to himself that he could not marrywithout money; and he would not marry for money. He had put asidefrom him, as not within his reach, the comforts of marriage. But-- Wewill not, however, at the present moment inquire more curiously intothe private life and circumstances of our new friend AdolphusCrosbie. 

After the sentence pronounced against him by Lilian, the two girlsremained silent for awhile. Bell was, perhaps, a little angry withher sister. It was not often that she allowed herself to say much inpraise of any gentleman; and, now that she had spoken a word or twoin favour of Mr Crosbie, she felt herself to be rebuked by her sisterfor this unwonted enthusiasm. Lily was at work on a drawing, and ina minute or two had forgotten all about Mr Crosbie; but the injuryremained on Bell's mind and prompted her to go back to the subject. "I don't like those slang words, Lily. "

"What slang words?"

"You know what you called Bernard's friend. "

"Oh; a swell. I fancy I do like slang. I think it's awfully jolly totalk about things being jolly. Only that I was afraid of your nervesI should have called him stunning. It's so slow, you know, to usenothing but words out of a dictionary. "

"I don't think it's nice in talking of gentlemen. "

"Isn't it? Well, I'd like to be nice--if I knew how. "

If she knew how! There is no knowing how, for a girl, in that matter. If nature and her mother have not done it for her, there is no hopefor her on that head. I think I may say that nature and her motherhad been sufficiently efficacious for Lilian Dale in this respect. 

"Mr Crosbie is, at any rate, a gentleman, and knows how to makehimself pleasant. That was all that I meant. Mamma said a great dealmore about him than I did. "

"Mr Crosbie is an Apollo; and I always look upon Apollo as thegreatest--you know what--that ever lived. I mustn't say the word, because Apollo was a gentleman. "

At this moment, while the name of the god was still on her lips, the high open window of the drawing-room was darkened, and Bernardentered, followed by Mr Crosbie. 

"Who is talking about Apollo?" said Captain Dale. 

The girls were both stricken dumb. How would it be with them if MrCrosbie had heard himself spoken of in those last words of poorLily's? This was the rashness of which Bell was ever accusing hersister, and here was the result! But, in truth, Bernard had heardnothing more than the name, and Mr Crosbie, who had been behind him, had heard nothing. 

"'As sweet and musical as bright Apollo's lute, strung with hishair, '" said Mr Crosbie, not meaning much by the quotation, butperceiving that the two girls had been in some way put out andsilenced. 

"What very bad music it must have made, " said Lily; "unless, indeed, his hair was very different from ours. "

"It was all sunbeams, " suggested Bernard. But by that time Apollo hadserved his turn, and the ladies welcomed their guests in the properform. 

"Mamma is in the garden, " said Bell, with that hypocritical pretenceso common with young ladies when young gentlemen call; as though theywere aware that mamma was the object specially sought. 

"Picking peas, with a sun-bonnet on, " said Lily. 

"Let us by all means go and help her, " said Mr Crosbie; and then theyissued out into the garden. 

The gardens of the Great House of Allington and those of the SmallHouse open on to each other. A proper boundary of thick laurel hedge, and wide ditch, and of iron spikes guarding the ditch, there isbetween them; but over the wide ditch there is a foot-bridge, and atthe bridge there is a gate which has no key; and for all purposes ofenjoyment the gardens of each house are open to the other. And thegardens of the Small House are very pretty. The Small House itselfis so near the road that there is nothing between the dining-roomwindows and the iron rail but a narrow edge rather than border, anda little path made with round fixed cobble stones, not above twofeet broad, into which no one but the gardener ever makes his way. The distance from the road to the house is not above five or sixfeet, and the entrance from the gate is shut in by a covered way. But the garden behind the house, on to which the windows from thedrawing-room open, is to all the senses as private as though therewere no village of Allington, and no road up to the church within ahundred yards of the lawn. The steeple of the church, indeed, can beseen from the lawn, peering, as it were, between the yew-trees whichstand in the corner of the churchyard adjoining to Mrs Dale's wall. But none of the Dale family have any objection to the sight of thatsteeple. The glory of the Small House at Allington certainly consistsin its lawn, which is as smooth, as level, and as much like velvet asgrass has ever yet been made to look. Lily Dale, taking pride in herown lawn, has declared often that it is no good attempting to playcroquet up at the Great House. The grass, she says, grows in tufts, and nothing that Hopkins, the gardener, can or will do has any effectupon the tufts. But there are no tufts at the Small House. As thesquire himself has never been very enthusiastic about croquet, thecroquet implements have been moved permanently down to the SmallHouse, and croquet there has become quite an institution. 

And while I am on the subject of the garden I may also mention MrsDale's conservatory, as to which Bell was strenuously of opinion thatthe Great House had nothing to offer equal to it--"For flowers, ofcourse, I mean, " she would say, correcting herself; for at the GreatHouse there was a grapery very celebrated. On this matter the squirewould be less tolerant than as regarded the croquet, and would tellhis niece that she knew nothing about flowers. "Perhaps not, UncleChristopher, " she would say. "All the same, I like our geraniumsbest;" for there was a spice of obstinacy about Miss Dale, --as, indeed, there was in all the Dales, male and female, young and old. 

It may be as well to explain that the care of this lawn and of thisconservatory, and, indeed, of the entire garden belonging to theSmall House, was in the hands of Hopkins, the head gardener to theGreat House; and it was so simply for this reason, that Mrs Dalecould not afford to keep a gardener herself. A working lad, at tenshillings a week, who cleaned the knives and shoes, and dug theground, was the only male attendant on the three ladies. But Hopkins, the head gardener of Allington, who had men under him, was as widelyawake to the lawn and the conservatory of the humbler establishmentas he was to the grapery, peach-walls, and terraces of the granderone. In his eyes it was all one place. The Small House belonged tohis master, as indeed did the very furniture within it; and it waslent, not let, to Mrs Dale. Hopkins, perhaps, did not love Mrs Dale, seeing that he owed her no duty as one born a Dale. The two youngladies he did love, and also snubbed in a very peremptory waysometimes. To Mrs Dale he was coldly civil, always referring to thesquire if any direction worthy of special notice as concerning thegarden was given to him. 

All this will serve to explain the terms on which Mrs Dale was livingat the Small House, --a matter needful of explanation sooner or later. Her husband had been the youngest of three brothers, and in manyrespects the brightest. Early in life he had gone up to London, andthere had done well as a land surveyor. He had done so well thatGovernment had employed him, and for some three or four years he hadenjoyed a large income, but death had come suddenly on him, while hewas only yet ascending the ladder; and, when he died, he had hardlybegun to realise the golden prospects which he had seen before him. This had happened some fifteen years before our story commenced, sothat the two girls hardly retained any memory of their father. Forthe first five years of her widowhood, Mrs Dale, who had never beena favourite of the squire's, lived with her two little girls in suchmodest way as her very limited means allowed. Old Mrs Dale, thesquire's mother, then occupied the Small House. But when old Mrs Daledied, the squire offered the place rent-free to his sister-in-law, intimating to her that her daughters would obtain considerable socialadvantages by living at Allington. She had accepted the offer, andthe social advantages had certainly followed. Mrs Dale was poor, herwhole income not exceeding three hundred a year, and therefore herown style of living was of necessity very unassuming; but she sawher girls becoming popular in the county, much liked by the familiesaround them, and enjoying nearly all the advantages which wouldhave accrued to them had they been the daughters of Squire Dale ofAllington. Under such circumstances it was little to her whether orno she were loved by her brother-in-law, or respected by Hopkins. Herown girls loved her, and respected her, and that was pretty much allthat she demanded of the world on her own behalf. 

And Uncle Christopher had been very good to the girls in his ownobstinate and somewhat ungracious manner. There were two ponies inthe stables of the Great House, which they were allowed to ride, andwhich, unless on occasions, nobody else did ride. I think he mighthave given the ponies to the girls, but he thought differently. Andhe contributed to their dresses, sending them home now and againthings which he thought necessary, not in the pleasantest way in theworld. Money he never gave them, nor did he make them any promises. But they were Dales, and he loved them; and with Christopher Dale tolove once was to love always. Bell was his chief favourite, sharingwith his nephew Bernard the best warmth of his heart. About thesetwo he had his projects, intending that Bell should be the futuremistress of the Great House of Allington; as to which project, however, Miss Dale was as yet in very absolute ignorance. 

We may now, I think, go back to our four friends, as they walked outupon the lawn. They were understood to be on a mission to assist MrsDale in the picking of the peas; but pleasure intervened in the wayof business, and the young people, forgetting the labours of theirelder, allowed themselves to be carried away by the fascinations ofcroquet. The iron hoops and the sticks were fixed. The mallets andthe balls were lying about; and then the party was so nicely made up!"I haven't had a game of croquet yet, " said Mr Crosbie. It cannotbe said that he had lost much time, seeing that he had only arrivedbefore dinner on the preceding day. And then the mallets were intheir hands in a moment. 

"We'll play sides, of course, " said Lily. "Bernard and I'll playtogether. " But this was not allowed. Lily was well known to be thequeen of the croquet ground; and as Bernard was supposed to bemore efficient than his friend, Lily had to take Mr Crosbie as herpartner. "Apollo can't get through the hoops, " Lily said afterwardsto her sister; "but then how gracefully he fails to do it!" Lily, however, had been beaten, and may therefore be excused for a littlespite against her partner. But it so turned out that before MrCrosbie took his final departure from Allington he could get throughthe hoops; and Lily, though she was still queen of the croquetground, had to acknowledge a male sovereign in that dominion. 

"That's not the way we played at--" said Crosbie, at one point of thegame, and then stopped himself. 

"Where was that?" said Bernard. 

"A place I was at last summer, --in Shropshire. "

"Then they don't play the game, Mr Crosbie, at the place you were atlast summer, --in Shropshire, " said Lily. 

"You mean Lady Hartletop's, " said Bernard. Now, the Marchionessof Hartletop was a very great person indeed, and a leader in thefashionable world. 

"Oh! Lady Hartletop's!" said Lily. "Then I suppose we must give in;"which little bit of sarcasm was not lost upon Mr Crosbie, and wasput down by him in the tablets of his mind as quite undeserved. He had endeavoured to avoid any mention of Lady Hartletop and hercroquet ground, and her ladyship's name had been forced upon him. Nevertheless, he liked Lily Dale through it all. But he thought thathe liked Bell the best, though she said little; for Bell was thebeauty of the family. 

During the game Bernard remembered that they had especially come overto bid the three ladies to dinner at the house on that day. They hadall dined there on the day before, and the girls' uncle had now sentdirections to them to come again. "I'll go and ask mamma about it, "said Bell, who was out first. And then she returned, saying, that sheand her sister would obey their uncle's behest; but that her motherwould prefer to remain at home. "There are the peas to be eaten, youknow, " said Lily. 

"Send them up to the Great House, " said Bernard. 

"Hopkins would not allow it, " said Lily. "He calls that a mixing ofthings. Hopkins doesn't like mixings. " And then when the game wasover, they sauntered about, out of the small garden into the largerone, and through the shrubberies, and out upon the fields, where theyfound the still lingering remnants of the haymaking. And Lily took arake, and raked for two minutes; and Mr Crosbie, making an attempt topitch the hay into the cart, had to pay half-a-crown for his footingto the hay-makers; and Bell sat quiet under a tree, mindful of hercomplexion; whereupon Mr Crosbie, finding the hay-pitching not muchto his taste, threw himself under the same tree also, quite after themanner of Apollo, as Lily said to her mother late in the evening. Then Bernard covered Lily with hay, which was a great feat in thejocose way for him; and Lily in returning the compliment, almostsmothered Mr Crosbie, --by accident. 

"Oh, Lily, " said Bell. 

"I'm sure I beg your pardon, Mr Crosbie. It was Bernard's fault. Bernard, I never will come into a hayfield with you again. " And sothey all became very intimate; while Bell sat quietly under the tree, listening to a word or two now and then as Mr Crosbie chose to speakthem. There is a kind of enjoyment to be had in society, in whichvery few words are necessary. Bell was less vivacious than her sisterLily; and when, an hour after this, she was dressing herself fordinner, she acknowledged that she had passed a pleasant afternoon, though Mr Crosbie had not said very much. 

CHAPTER III

The Widow Dale of Allington

As Mrs Dale, of the Small House, was not a Dale by birth, therecan be no necessity for insisting on the fact that none of theDale peculiarities should be sought for in her character. Thesepeculiarities were not, perhaps, very conspicuous in her daughters, who had taken more in that respect from their mother than from theirfather; but a close observer might recognise the girls as Dales. Theywere constant, perhaps obstinate, occasionally a little uncharitablein their judgment, and prone to think that there was a great deal inbeing a Dale, though not prone to say much about it. But they hadalso a better pride than this, which had come to them as theirmother's heritage. 

Mrs Dale was certainly a proud woman, --not that there was anythingappertaining to herself in which she took a pride. In birth she hadbeen much lower than her husband, seeing that her grandfather hadbeen almost nobody. Her fortune had been considerable for her rankin life, and on its proceeds she now mainly depended; but it had notbeen sufficient to give any of the pride of wealth. And she had beena beauty; according to my taste, was still very lovely; but certainlyat this time of life, she, a widow of fifteen years' standing, withtwo grown-up daughters, took no pride in her beauty. Nor had she anyconscious pride in the fact that she was a lady. That she was a lady, inwards and outwards, from the crown of her head to the sole of herfeet, in head, in heart, and in mind, a lady by education and alady by nature, a lady also by birth in spite of that deficiencyrespecting her grandfather, I hereby state as a fact--_meo periculo_. And the squire, though he had no special love for her, had recognisedthis, and in all respects treated her as his equal. 

But her position was one which required that she should either bevery proud or else very humble. She was poor, and yet her daughtersmoved in a position which belongs, as a rule, to the daughters ofrich men only. This they did as nieces of the childless squire ofAllington, and as his nieces she felt that they were entitled toaccept his countenance and kindness, without loss of self-respecteither to her or to them. She would have ill done her duty as amother to them had she allowed any pride of her own to come betweenthem and such advantage in the world as their uncle might be able togive them. On their behalf she had accepted the loan of the house inwhich she lived, and the use of many of the appurtenances belongingto her brother-in-law; but on her own account she had acceptednothing. Her marriage with Philip Dale had been disliked by hisbrother the squire, and the squire, while Philip was still living, had continued to show that his feelings in this respect were notto be overcome. They never had been overcome; and now, though thebrother-in-law and sister-in-law had been close neighbours for years, living as one may say almost in the same family, they had neverbecome friends. There had not been a word of quarrel between them. They met constantly. The squire had unconsciously come to entertain aprofound respect for his brother's widow. The widow had acknowledgedto herself the truth of the affection shown by the uncle to herdaughters. But yet they had never come together as friends. Of herown money matters Mrs Dale had never spoken a word to the squire. Ofhis intention respecting the girls the squire had never spoken a wordto the mother. And in this way they had lived and were living atAllington. 

The life which Mrs Dale led was not altogether an easy life, --was notdevoid of much painful effort on her part. The theory of her lifeone may say was this--that she should bury herself in order thather daughters might live well above ground. And in order to carryout this theory, it was necessary that she should abstain from allcomplaint or show of uneasiness before her girls. Their life aboveground would not be well if they understood that their mother, inthis underground life of hers, was enduring any sacrifice on theirbehalf. It was needful that they should think that the picking ofpeas in a sun-bonnet, or long readings by her own fire-side, andsolitary hours spent in thinking, were specially to her mind. "Mammadoesn't like going out. " "I don't think mamma is happy anywhere outof her own drawing-room. " I do not say that the girls were taught tosay such words, but they were taught to have thoughts which led tosuch words, and in the early days of their going out into the worldused so to speak of their mother. But a time came to them beforelong, --to one first and then to the other, in which they knew thatit was not so, and knew also all that their mother had suffered fortheir sakes. 

And in truth Mrs Dale could have been as young in heart as theywere. She, too, could have played croquet, and have coquetted witha haymaker's rake, and have delighted in her pony, ay, and havelistened to little nothings from this and that Apollo, had shethought that things had been conformable thereto. Women at forty donot become ancient misanthropes, or stern Rhadamanthine moralists, indifferent to the world's pleasures--no, not even though they bewidows. There are those who think that such should be the phase oftheir minds. I profess that I do not so think. I would have women, and men also, young as long as they can be young. It is not that awoman should call herself in years younger than her father's familyBible will have her to be. Let her who is forty call herself forty;but if she can be young in spirit at forty, let her show that she isso. 

I think that Mrs Dale was wrong. She would have joined that party onthe croquet ground, instead of remaining among the pea-sticks in hersun-bonnet, had she done as I would have counselled her. Not a wordwas spoken among the four that she did not hear. Those pea-stickswere only removed from the lawn by a low wall and a few shrubs. Shelistened, not as one suspecting, but simply as one loving. The voicesof her girls were very dear to her, and the silver ringing tones ofLily's tongue were as sweet to her ears as the music of the gods. Sheheard all that about Lady Hartletop, and shuddered at Lily's boldsarcasm. And she heard Lily say that mamma would stay at home andeat the peas, and said to herself sadly that that was now her lot inlife. 

"Dear darling girl--and so it should be!"

It was thus her thoughts ran. And then, when her ear had traced them, as they passed across the little bridge into the other grounds, shereturned across the lawn to the house with her burden on her arm, and sat herself down on the step of the drawing-room window, lookingout on the sweet summer flowers and the smooth surface of the grassbefore her. 

Had not God done well for her to place her where she was? Had not herlines been set for her in pleasant places? Was she not happy in hergirls, --her sweet, loving, trusting, trusty children? As it was to bethat her lord, that best half of herself, was to be taken from her inearly life, and that the springs of all the lighter pleasures were tobe thus stopped for her, had it not been well that in her bereavementso much had been done to soften her lot in life and give it grace andbeauty? 'Twas so, she argued with herself, and yet she acknowledgedto herself that she was not happy. She had resolved, as she herselfhad said often, to put away childish things, and now she pined forthose things which she so put from her. As she sat she could stillhear Lily's voice as they went through the shrubbery, --hear it whennone but a mother's ears would have distinguished the sound. Now thatthose young men were at the Great House it was natural that her girlsshould be there too. The squire would not have had young men tostay with him had there been no ladies to grace his table. But forher, --she knew that no one would want her there. Now and again shemust go, as otherwise her very existence, without going, would be athing disagreeably noticeable. But there was no other reason why sheshould join the party; nor in joining it would she either give orreceive pleasure. Let her daughters eat from her brother's table anddrink of his cup. They were made welcome to do so from the heart. Forher there was no such welcome as that at the Great House, --nor at anyother house, or any other table!

"Mamma will stay at home to eat the peas. "

And then she repeated to herself the words which Lily had spoken, sitting there, leaning with her elbow on her knee, and her head uponher hand. 

"Please, ma'am, cook says, can we have the peas to shell?" and thenher reverie was broken. 

Whereupon Mrs Dale got up and gave over her basket. "Cook knows thatthe young ladies are going to dine at the Great House?"

"Yes, ma'am. "

"She needn't mind getting dinner for me. I will have tea early. " Andso, after all, Mrs Dale did not perform that special duty appointedfor her. 

But she soon set herself to work upon another duty. When a family ofthree persons has to live upon an income of three hundred a year, and, nevertheless, makes some pretence of going into society, it hasto be very mindful of small details, even though that family mayconsist only of ladies. Of this Mrs Dale was well aware, and as itpleased her that her daughters should be nice and fresh, and prettyin their attire, many a long hour was given up to that care. Thesquire would send them shawls in winter, and had given them ridinghabits, and had sent them down brown silk dresses from London, --solimited in quantity that the due manufacture of two dresses out ofthe material had been found to be beyond the art of woman, and thebrown silk garments had been a difficulty from that day to this--thesquire having a good memory in such matters, and being anxious to seethe fruits of his liberality. All this was doubtless of assistance, but had the squire given the amount which he so expended in money tohis nieces, the benefit would have been greater. As it was, the girlswere always nice and fresh and pretty, they themselves not beingidle in that matter; but their tire-woman in chief was their mother. And now she went up to their room and got out their muslin frocks, and--but, perhaps, I should not tell such tales!-- She, however, feltno shame in her work, as she sent for a hot iron, and with her ownhands smoothed out the creases, and gave the proper set to the crimpflounces, and fixed a new ribbon where it was wanted, and saw thatall was as it should be. Men think but little how much of this kindis endured that their eyes may be pleased, even though it be but foran hour. 

"Oh! mamma, how good you are, " said Bell, as the two girls came in, only just in time to make themselves ready for returning to dinner. 

"Mamma is always good, " said Lily. "I wish, mamma, I could do thesame for you oftener, " and then she kissed her mother. But the squirewas exact about dinner, so they dressed themselves in haste, and wentoff again through the garden, their mother accompanying them to thelittle bridge. 

"Your uncle did not seem vexed at my not coming?" said Mrs Dale. 

"We have not seen him, mamma, " said Lily. "We have been ever so fardown the fields, and forgot altogether what o'clock it was. "

"I don't think Uncle Christopher was about the place, or we shouldhave met him, " said Bell. 

"But I am vexed with you, mamma. Are not you, Bell? It is very bad ofyou to stay here all alone, and not come. "

"I suppose mamma likes being at home better than up at the GreatHouse, " said Bell, very gently; and as she spoke she was holding hermother's hand. 

"Well; good-bye, dears. I shall expect you between ten and eleven. But don't hurry yourselves if anything is going on. " And so theywent, and the widow was again alone. The path from the bridge ranstraight up towards the back of the Great House, so that for a momentor two she could see them as they tripped on almost in a run. Andthen she saw their dresses flutter as they turned sharp round, up theterrace steps. She would not go beyond the nook among the laurels bywhich she was surrounded, lest any one should see her as she lookedafter her girls. But when the last flutter of the pink muslin hadbeen whisked away from her sight, she felt it hard that she might notfollow them. She stood there, however, without advancing a step. Shewould not have Hopkins telling how she watched her daughters as theywent from her own home to that of her brother-in-law. It was notwithin the capacity of Hopkins to understand why she watched them. 

"Well, girls, you're not much too soon. I think your mother mighthave come with you, " said Uncle Christopher. And this was the mannerof the man. Had he known his own wishes he must have acknowledged tohimself that he was better pleased that Mrs Dale should stay away. Hefelt himself more absolutely master and more comfortably at home athis own table without her company than with it. And yet he frequentlymade a grievance of her not corning, and himself believed in thatgrievance. 

"I think mamma was tired, " said Bell. 

"Hem. It's not so very far across from one house to the other. If Iwere to shut myself up whenever I'm tired-- But never mind. Let'sgo to dinner. Mr Crosbie, will you take my niece Lilian. " And then, offering his own arm to Bell, he walked off to the dining-room. 

"If he scolds mamma any more, I'll go away, " said Lily to hercompanion; by which it may be seen that they had all become veryintimate during the long day that they had passed together. 

Mrs Dale, after remaining for a moment on the bridge, went in to hertea. What succedaneum of mutton chop or broiled ham she had for theroast duck and green peas which were to have been provided for thefamily dinner we will not particularly inquire. We may, however, imagine that she did not devote herself to her evening repast withany peculiar energy of appetite. She took a book with her as shesat herself down, --some novel, probably, for Mrs Dale was not abovenovels, --and read a page or two as she sipped her tea. But the bookwas soon laid on one side, and the tray on which the warm plate hadbecome cold was neglected, and she threw herself back in her ownfamiliar chair, thinking of herself, and of her girls, and thinkingalso what might have been her lot in life had he lived who had lovedher truly during the few years that they had been together. 

It is especially the nature of a Dale to be constant in his likingsand his dislikings. Her husband's affection for her had beenunswerving, --so much so that he had quarrelled with his brotherbecause his brother would not express himself in brotherly termsabout his wife; but, nevertheless, the two brothers had loved eachother always. Many years had now gone by since these things hadoccurred, but still the same feelings remained. When she had firstcome down to Allington she had resolved to win the squire's regard, but she had now long known that any such winning was out of thequestion; indeed, there was no longer a wish for it. Mrs Dale wasnot one of those soft-hearted women who sometimes thank God thatthey can love any one. She could once have felt affection for herbrother-in-law, --affection, and close, careful, sisterly friendship;but she could not do so now. He had been cold to her, and had withperseverance rejected her advances. That was now seven years since;and during those years Mrs Dale had been, at any rate, as cold to himas he had been to her. 

But all this was very hard to bear. That her daughters should lovetheir uncle was not only reasonable, but in every way desirable. Hewas not cold to them. To them he was generous and affectionate. Ifshe were only out of the way, he would have taken them to his houseas his own, and they would in all respects have stood before theworld as his adopted children. Would it not be better if she were outof the way?

It was only in her most dismal moods that this question would getitself asked within her mind, and then she would recover herself, andanswer it stoutly with an indignant protest against her own morbidweakness. It would not be well that she should be away from hergirls, --not though their uncle should have been twice a better uncle;not though, by her absence, they might become heiresses of allAllington. Was it not above everything to them that they shouldhave a mother near them? And as she asked of herself that morbidquestion, --wickedly asked it, as she declared to herself, --did shenot know that they loved her better than all the world beside, andwould prefer her caresses and her care to the guardianship of anyuncle, let his house be ever so great? As yet they loved her betterthan all the world beside. Of other love, should it come, she wouldnot be jealous. And if it should come, and should be happy, mightthere not yet be a bright evening of life for herself? If they shouldmarry, and if their lords would accept her love, her friendship, andher homage, she might yet escape from the deathlike coldness of thatGreat House, and be happy in some tiny cottage, from which she mightgo forth at times among those who would really welcome her. A certaindoctor there was, living not very far from Allington, at Guestwick, as to whom she had once thought that he might fill that place ofson-in-law, --to be well-beloved. Her quiet, beautiful Bell had seemedto like the man; and he had certainly done more than seem to likeher. But now, for some weeks past, this hope, or rather this idea, had faded away. Mrs Dale had never questioned her daughter on thematter; she was not a woman prone to put such questions. But duringthe month or two last past, she had seen with regret that Bell lookedalmost coldly on the man whom her mother favoured. 

In thinking of all this the long evening passed away, and at eleveno'clock she heard the coming steps across the garden. The young menhad, of course, accompanied the girls home; and as she stepped outfrom the still open window of her own drawing-room, she saw them allon the centre of the lawn before her. 

"There's mamma, " said Lily. "Mamma, Mr Crosbie wants to play croquetby moonlight. "

"I don't think there is light enough for that, " said Mrs Dale. 

"There is light enough for him, " said Lily, "for he plays quiteindependently of the hoops; don't you, Mr Crosbie?"

"There's very pretty croquet light, I should say, " said Mr Crosbie, looking up at the bright moon; "and then it is so stupid going tobed. "

"Yes, it is stupid going to bed, " said Lily; "but people in thecountry are stupid, you know. Billiards, that you can play all nightby gas, is much better, isn't it?"

"Your arrows fall terribly astray there, Miss Dale, for I never toucha cue; you should talk to your cousin about billiards. "

"Is Bernard a great billiard player?" asked Bell. 

"Well, I do play now and again; about as well as Crosbie doescroquet. Come, Crosbie, we'll go home and smoke a cigar. "

"Yes, " said Lily; "and then, you know, we stupid people can go tobed. Mamma, I wish you had a little smoking-room here for us. I don'tlike being considered stupid. " And then they parted, --the ladiesgoing into the house, and the two men returning across the lawn. 

"Lily, my love, " said Mrs Dale, when they were all together in herbedroom, "it seems to me that you are very hard upon Mr Crosbie. "

"She has been going on like that all the evening, " said Bell. 

"I'm sure we are very good friends, " said Lily. 

"Oh, very!" said Bell. 

"Now, Bell, you're jealous; you know you are. " And then, seeing thather sister was in some slight degree vexed, she went up to her andkissed her. "She shan't be called jealous; shall she, mamma?"

"I don't think she deserves it, " said Mrs Dale. 

"Now, you don't mean to say that you think I meant anything?" saidLily. "As if I cared a buttercup about Mr Crosbie. "

"Or I either, Lily. "

"Of course you don't. But I do care for him very much, mamma. He issuch a duck of an Apollo. I shall always call him Apollo; PhoebusApollo! And when I draw his picture he shall have a mallet in hishand instead of a bow. Upon my word I am very much obliged to Bernardfor bringing him down here; and I do wish he was not going away theday after to-morrow. "

"The day after to-morrow!" said Mrs Dale. "It was hardly worth comingfor two days. "

"No, it wasn't, --disturbing us all in our quiet little ways just forsuch a spell as that, --not giving one time even to count his rays. "

"But he says he shall perhaps come again, " said Bell. 

"There is that hope for us, " said Lily. "Uncle Christopher asked himto come down when he gets his long leave of absence. This is only ashort sort of leave. He is better off than poor Johnny Eames. JohnnyEames only has a month, but Mr Crosbie has two months just wheneverhe likes it; and seems to be pretty much his own master all the yearround besides. "

"And Uncle Christopher asked him to come down for the shooting inSeptember, " said Bell. 

"And though he didn't say he'd come I think he meant it, " said Lily. "There is that hope for us, mamma. "

"Then you'll have to draw Apollo with a gun instead of a mallet. "

"That is the worst of it, mamma. We shan't see much of him or ofBernard either. They wouldn't let us go out into the woods asbeaters, would they?"

"You'd make too much noise to be of any use. "

"Should I? I thought the beaters had to shout at the birds. I shouldget very tired of shouting at birds, so I think I'll stay at home andlook after my clothes. "

"I hope he will come, because Uncle Christopher seems to like him somuch, " said Bell. 

"I wonder whether a certain gentleman at Guestwick will like hiscoming, " said Lily. And then, as soon as she had spoken the words, she looked at her sister, and saw that she had grieved her. 

"Lily, you let your tongue run too fast, " said Mrs Dale. 

"I didn't mean anything, Bell, " said Lily. "I beg your pardon. "

"It doesn't signify, " said Bell. "Only Lily says things withoutthinking. " And then that conversation came to an end, and nothingmore was said among them beyond what appertained to their toilet, and a few last words at parting. But the two girls occupied the sameroom, and when their own door was closed upon them, Bell did alludeto what had passed with some spirit. 

"Lily, you promised me, " she said, "that you would not say anythingmore to me about Dr Crofts. "

"I know I did, and I was very wrong. I beg your pardon, Bell; and Iwon't do it again, --not if I can help it. "

"Not help it, Lily!"

"But I'm sure I don't know why I shouldn't speak of him, --only not inthe way of laughing at you. Of all the men I ever saw in my life Ilike him best. And only that I love you better than I love myself Icould find it in my heart to grudge you his--"

"Lily, what did you promise just now?"

"Well; after to-night. And I don't know why you should turn againsthim. "

"I have never turned against him or for him. "

"There's no turning about him. He'd give his left hand if you'd onlysmile on him. Or his right either, --and that's what I should like tosee; so now you've heard it. "

"You know you are talking nonsense. "

"So I should like to see it. And so would mamma too, I'm sure; thoughI never heard her say a word about him. In my mind he's the finestfellow I ever saw. What's Mr Apollo Crosbie to him? And now, as itmakes you unhappy, I'll never say another word about him. "

As Bell wished her sister good-night with perhaps more than her usualaffection, it was evident that Lily's words and eager tone had insome way pleased her, in spite of their opposition to the requestwhich she had made. And Lily was aware that it was so. 

CHAPTER IV

Mrs Roper's Boarding-House

I have said that John Eames had been petted by none but his mother, but I would not have it supposed, on this account, that John Eameshad no friends. There is a class of young men who never get petted, though they may not be the less esteemed, or perhaps loved. They donot come forth to the world as Apollos, nor shine at all, keepingwhat light they may have for inward purposes. Such young men areoften awkward, ungainly, and not yet formed in their gait; theystraggle with their limbs, and are shy; words do not come to themwith ease, when words are required, among any but their accustomedassociates. Social meetings are periods of penance to them, and anyappearance in public will unnerve them. They go much about alone, and blush when women speak to them. In truth, they are not as yetmen, whatever the number may be of their years; and, as they are nolonger boys, the world has found for them the ungraceful name ofhobbledehoy. 

Such observations, however, as I have been enabled to make in thismatter have led me to believe that the hobbledehoy is by no meansthe least valuable species of the human race. When I compare thehobbledehoy of one or two and twenty to some finished Apollo of thesame age, I regard the former as unripe fruit, and the latter asfruit that is ripe. Then comes the question as to the two fruits. Which is the better fruit, that which ripens early, --which is, perhaps, favoured with some little forcing apparatus, or which, atleast, is backed by the warmth of a southern wall; or that fruit ofslower growth, as to which nature works without assistance, on whichthe sun operates in its own time, --or perhaps never operates if someungenial shade has been allowed to interpose itself? The world, nodoubt, is in favour of the forcing apparatus or of the southern wall. The fruit comes certainly, and at an assured period. It is spotless, speckless, and of a certain quality by no means despicable. The ownerhas it when he wants it, and it serves its turn. But, nevertheless, according to my thinking, the fullest flavour of the sun is given tothat other fruit, --is given in the sun's own good time, if so be thatno ungenial shade has interposed itself. I like the smack of thenatural growth, and like it, perhaps, the better because that whichhas been obtained has been obtained without favour. 

But the hobbledehoy, though he blushes when women address him, andis uneasy even when he is near them, though he is not master of hislimbs in a ball-room, and is hardly master of his tongue at anytime, is the most eloquent of beings, and especially eloquent amongbeautiful women. He enjoys all the triumphs of a Don Juan, withoutany of Don Juan's heartlessness, and is able to conquer in allencounters, through the force of his wit and the sweetness of hisvoice. But this eloquence is heard only by his own inner ears, andthese triumphs are the triumphs of his imagination. 

The true hobbledehoy is much alone, not being greatly given to socialintercourse even with other hobbledehoys--a trait in his characterwhich I think has hardly been sufficiently observed by the world atlarge. He has probably become a hobbledehoy instead of an Apollo, because circumstances have not afforded him much social intercourse;and, therefore, he wanders about in solitude, taking long walks, inwhich he dreams of those successes which are so far removed from hispowers of achievement. Out in the fields, with his stick in his hand, he is very eloquent, cutting off the heads of the springing summerweeds, as he practises his oratory with energy. And thus he feeds animagination for which those who know him give him but scanty credit, and unconsciously prepares himself for that latter ripening, if onlythe ungenial shade will some day cease to interpose itself. 

Such hobbledehoys receive but little petting, unless it be from amother; and such a hobbledehoy was John Eames when he was sent awayfrom Guestwick to begin his life in the big room of a public officein London. We may say that there was nothing of the young Apolloabout him. But yet he was not without friends--friends who wished himwell, and thought much of his welfare. And he had a younger sisterwho loved him dearly, who had no idea that he was a hobbledehoy, being somewhat of a hobbledehoy herself. Mrs Eames, their mother, wasa widow, living in a small house in Guestwick, whose husband had beenthroughout his whole life an intimate friend of our squire. He hadbeen a man of many misfortunes, having begun the world almost withaffluence, and having ended it in poverty. He had lived all his daysin Guestwick, having at one time occupied a large tract of land, andlost much money in experimental farming; and late in life he hadtaken a small house on the outskirts of the town, and there had died, some two years previously to the commencement of this story. With noother man had Mr Dale lived on terms so intimate; and when Mr Eamesdied Mr Dale acted as executor under his will, and as guardian to hischildren. He had, moreover, obtained for John Eames that situationunder the Crown which he now held. 

And Mrs Eames had been and still was on very friendly terms with MrsDale. The squire had never taken quite kindly to Mrs Eames, whom herhusband had not met till he was already past forty years of age. ButMrs Dale had made up by her kindness to the poor forlorn woman forany lack of that cordiality which might have been shown to her fromthe Great House. Mrs Eames was a poor forlorn woman, --forlorn evenduring the time of her husband's life, but very woebegone now in herwidowhood. In matters of importance the squire had been kind to her;arranging for her little money affairs, advising her about her houseand income, also getting for her that appointment for her son. Buthe snubbed her when he met her, and poor Mrs Eames held him in greatawe. Mrs Dale held her brother-in-law in no awe, and sometimes gaveto the widow from Guestwick advice quite at variance to that given bythe squire. In this way there had grown up an intimacy between Belland Lily and the young Eames, and either of the girls was preparedto declare that Johnny Eames was her own and well-loved friend. Nevertheless, they spoke of him occasionally with some little dash ofmerriment, --as is not unusual with pretty girls who have hobbledehoysamong their intimate friends, and who are not themselves unaccustomedto the grace of an Apollo. 

I may as well announce at once that John Eames, when he went up toLondon, was absolutely and irretrievably in love with Lily Dale. Hehad declared his passion in the most moving language a hundred times;but he had declared it only to himself. He had written much poetryabout Lily, but he kept his lines safe under double lock and key. When he gave the reins to his imagination, he flattered himself thathe might win not only her but the world at large also by his verses;but he would have perished rather than exhibit them to human eye. During the last ten weeks of his life at Guestwick, while he waspreparing for his career in London, he hung about Allington, walkingover frequently and then walking back again; but all in vain. Duringthese visits he would sit in Mrs Dale's drawing-room, speaking butlittle, and addressing himself usually to the mother; but on eachoccasion, as he started on his long, hot walk, he resolved that hewould say something by which Lily might know of his love. When heleft for London that something had not been said. 

He had not dreamed of asking her to be his wife. John Eames was aboutto begin the world with eighty pounds a year, and an allowance oftwenty more from his mother's purse. He was well aware that with suchan income he could not establish himself as a married man in London, and he also felt that the man who might be fortunate enough to winLily for his wife should be prepared to give her every soft luxurythat the world could afford. He knew well that he ought not to expectany assurance of Lily's love; but, nevertheless, he thought itpossible that he might give her an assurance of his love. It wouldprobably be in vain. He had no real hope, unless when he was inone of those poetic moods. He had acknowledged to himself, in someindistinct way, that he was no more than a hobbledehoy, awkward, silent, ungainly, with a face unfinished, as it were, or unripe. Allthis he knew, and knew also that there were Apollos in the world whowould be only too ready to carry off Lily in their splendid cars. Butnot the less did he make up his mind that having loved her once, itbehoved him, as a true man, to love her on to the end. 

One little word he had said to her when they parted, but it had beena word of friendship rather than of love. He had strayed out afterher on to the lawn, leaving Bell alone in the drawing-room. PerhapsLily had understood something of the boy's feelings, and had wishedto speak kindly to him at parting, or almost more than kindly. Thereis a silent love which women recognise, and which in some silent waythey acknowledge, --giving gracious but silent thanks for the respectwhich accompanies it. 

"I have come to say good-bye, Lily, " said Johnny Eames, following thegirl down one of the paths. 

"Good-bye, John, " said she, turning round. "You know how sorry we areto lose you. But it's a great thing for you to be going up toLondon. "

"Well, yes. I suppose it is. I'd sooner remain here, though. "

"What! stay here, doing nothing! I am sure you would not. "

"Of course, I should like to do something. I mean--"

"You mean that it is painful to part with old friends; and I'm surethat we all feel that at parting with you. But you'll have a holidaysometimes, and then we shall see you. "

"Yes; of course, I shall see you then. I think, Lily, I shall caremore about seeing you than anybody. "

"Oh, no, John. There'll be your own mother and sister. "

"Yes; there'll be mother and Mary, of course. But I will come overhere the very first day, --that is, if you'll care to see me?"

"We shall care to see you very much. You know that. And--dear John, Ido hope you'll be happy. "

There was a tone in her voice as she spoke which almost upset him;or, I should rather say, which almost put him up upon his legs andmade him speak; but its ultimate effect was less powerful. "Do you?"said he, as he held her hand for a few happy seconds. "And I'm sureI hope you'll always be happy. Good-bye, Lily. " Then he left her, returning to the house, and she continued her walk, wandering downamong the trees in the shrubbery, and not showing herself for thenext half hour. How many girls have some such lover as that, --a loverwho says no more to them than Johnny Eames then said to Lily Dale, who never says more than that? And yet when, in after years, theycount over the names of all who have loved them, the name of thatawkward youth is never forgotten. 

That farewell had been spoken nearly two years since, and Lily Dalewas then seventeen. Since that time, John Eames had been home once, and during his month's holiday had often visited Allington. But hehad never improved upon that occasion of which I have told. It hadseemed to him that Lily was colder to him than in old days, and hehad become, if anything, more shy in his ways with her. He was toreturn to Guestwick again during this autumn; but, to tell honestlythe truth in the matter, Lily Dale did not think or care verymuch for his coming. Girls of nineteen do not care for lovers ofone-and-twenty, unless it be when the fruit has had the advantageof some forcing apparatus or southern wall. 

John Eames's love was still as hot as ever, having been sustained onpoetry, and kept alive, perhaps, by some close confidence in the earsof a brother clerk; but it is not to be supposed that during thesetwo years he had been a melancholy lover. It might, perhaps, havebeen better for him had his disposition led him to that line of life. Such, however, had not been the case. He had already abandoned theflute on which he had learned to sound three sad notes before he leftGuestwick, and, after the fifth or sixth Sunday, he had relinquishedhis solitary walks along the towing-path of the Regent's ParkCanal. To think of one's absent love is very sweet; but it becomesmonotonous after a mile or two of a towing-path, and the mindwill turn away to Aunt Sally, the Cremorne Gardens, and financialquestions. I doubt whether any girl would be satisfied with herlover's mind if she knew the whole of it. 

"I say, Caudle, I wonder whether a fellow could get into a club?"

This proposition was made, on one of those Sunday walks, by JohnEames to the friend of his bosom, a brother clerk, whose legitimatename was Cradell, and who was therefore called Caudle by his friends. 

"Get into a club? Fisher in our room belongs to a club. "

"That's only a chess-club. I mean a regular club. "

"One of the swell ones at the West End?" said Cradell, almost lost inadmiration at the ambition of his friend. 

"I shouldn't want it to be particularly swell. If a man isn't aswell, I don't see what he gets by going among those who are. Butit is so uncommon slow at Mother Roper's. " Now Mrs Roper was arespectable lady, who kept a boarding-house in Burton Crescent, andto whom Mrs Eames had been strongly recommended when she was desirousof finding a specially safe domicile for her son. For the first yearof his life in London John Eames had lived alone in lodgings; butthat had resulted in discomfort, solitude, and, alas! in some amountof debt, which had come heavily on the poor widow. Now, for thesecond year, some safer mode of life was necessary. She had learnedthat Mrs Cradell, the widow of a barrister, who had also succeeded ingetting her son into the Income-tax Office, had placed him in chargeof Mrs Roper; and she, with many injunctions to that motherly woman, submitted her own boy to the same custody. 

"And about going to church?" Mrs Eames had said to Mrs Roper. 

"I don't suppose I can look after that, ma'am, " Mrs Roper hadanswered, conscientiously. "Young gentlemen choose mostly their ownchurches. "

"But they do go?" asked the mother, very anxious in her heart as tothis new life in which her boy was to be left to follow in so manythings the guidance of his own lights. 

"They who have been brought up steady do so, mostly. "

"He has been brought up steady, Mrs Roper. He has, indeed. And youwon't give him a latch-key?"

"Well, they always do ask for it. "

"But he won't insist, if you tell him that I had rather that heshouldn't have one. "

Mrs Roper promised accordingly, and Johnny Eames was left under hercharge. He did ask for the latch-key, and Mrs Roper answered as shewas bidden. But he asked again, having been sophisticated by thephilosophy of Cradell, and then Mrs Roper handed him the key. Shewas a woman who plumed herself on being as good as her word, notunderstanding that any one could justly demand from her more thanthat. She gave Johnny Eames the key, as doubtless she had intendedto do; for Mrs Roper knew the world, and understood that young menwithout latch-keys would not remain with her. 

"I thought you didn't seem to find it so dull since Amelia camehome, " said Cradell. 

"Amelia! What's Amelia to me? I have told you everything, Cradell, and yet you can talk to me about Amelia Roper!"

"Come now, Johnny--. " He had always been called Johnny, and the namehad gone with him to his office. Even Amelia Roper had called himJohnny on more than one occasion before this. "You were as sweet toher the other night as though there were no such person as L. D. Inexistence. " John Eames turned away and shook his head. Nevertheless, the words of his friend were grateful to him. The character of a DonJuan was not unpleasant to his imagination, and he liked to thinkthat he might amuse Amelia Roper with a passing word, though hisheart was true to Lilian Dale. In truth, however, many more of thepassing words had been spoken by the fair Amelia than by him. 

Mrs Roper had been quite as good as her word when she told Mrs Eamesthat her household was composed of herself, of a son who was in anattorney's office, of an ancient maiden cousin, named Miss Spruce, who lodged with her, and of Mr Cradell. The divine Amelia had notthen been living with her, and the nature of the statement which shewas making by no means compelled her to inform Mrs Eames that theyoung lady would probably return home in the following winter. A Mrand Mrs Lupex had also joined the family lately, and Mrs Roper'shouse was now supposed to be full. 

And it must be acknowledged that Johnny Eames had, in certainunguarded moments, confided to Cradell the secret of a second weakerpassion for Amelia. "She is a fine girl, --a deuced fine girl!" JohnnyEames had said, using a style of language which he had learned sincehe left Guestwick and Allington. Mr Cradell, also, was an admirerof the fair sex; and, alas! that I should say so, Mrs Lupex, atthe present moment, was the object of his admiration. Not that heentertained the slightest idea of wronging Mr Lupex, --a man who was ascene-painter, and knew the world. Mr Cradell admired Mrs Lupex as aconnoisseur, not simply as a man. "By heavens! Johnny, what a figurethat woman has!" he said, one morning, as they were walking to theiroffice. 

"Yes; she stands well on her pins. "

"I should think she did. If I understand anything of form, " saidCradell, "that woman is nearly perfect. What a torso she has!"

From which expression, and from the fact that Mrs Lupex dependedgreatly upon her stays and crinoline for such figure as she succeededin displaying, it may, perhaps, be understood that Mr Cradell did notunderstand much about form. 

"It seems to me that her nose isn't quite straight, " said JohnnyEames. Now, it undoubtedly was the fact that the nose on Mrs Lupex'sface was a little awry. It was a long, thin nose, which, as itprogressed forward into the air, certainly had a preponderating biastowards the left side. 

"I care more for figure than face, " said Cradell. "But Mrs Lupex hasfine eyes--very fine eyes. "

"And knows how to use them, too, " said Johnny. 

"Why shouldn't she? And then she has lovely hair. "

"Only she never brushes it in the morning. "

"Do you know, I like that kind of deshabille, " said Cradell. "Toomuch care always betrays itself. "

"But a woman should be tidy. "

"What a word to apply to such a creature as Mrs Lupex! I call her asplendid woman. And how well she was got up last night. Do you know, I've an idea that Lupex treats her very badly. She said a word ortwo to me yesterday that--, " and then he paused. There are someconfidences which a man does not share even with his dearest friend. 

"I rather fancy it's quite the other way, " said Eames. 

"How the other way?"

"That Lupex has quite as much as he likes of Mrs L. The sound of hervoice sometimes makes me shake in my shoes, I know. "

"I like a woman with spirit, " said Cradell. 

"Oh, so do I. But one may have too much of a good thing. Amelia didtell me;--only you won't mention it. "

"Of course, I won't. "

"She told me that Lupex sometimes was obliged to run away from her. He goes down to the theatre, and remains there two or three days at atime. Then she goes to fetch him, and there is no end of a row in thehouse. "

"The fact is, he drinks, " said Cradell. "By George, I pity a womanwhose husband drinks--and such a woman as that, too!"

"Take care, old fellow, or you'll find yourself in a scrape. "

"I know what I'm at. Lord bless you, I'm not going to lose my headbecause I see a fine woman. "

"Or your heart either?"

"Oh, heart! There's nothing of that kind of thing about me. I regarda woman as a picture or a statue. I dare say I shall marry some day, because men do; but I've no idea of losing myself about a woman. "

"I'd lose myself ten times over for--"

"L. D. , " said Cradell. 

"That I would. And yet I know I shall never have her. I'm a jolly, laughing sort of fellow; and yet, do you know, Caudle, when that girlmarries, it will be all up with me. It will, indeed. "

"Do you mean that you'll cut your throat?"

"No; I shan't do that. I shan't do anything of that sort; and yet itwill be all up with me. "

"You are going down there in October;--why don't you ask her to haveyou?"

"With ninety pounds a year!" His grateful country had twice increasedhis salary at the rate of five pounds each year. "With ninety poundsa year, and twenty allowed me by my mother!"

"She could wait, I suppose. I should ask her, and no mistake. If oneis to love a girl, it's no good one going on in that way!"

"It isn't much good, certainly, " said Johnny Eames. And then theyreached the door of the Income-tax Office, and each went away to hisown desk. 

From this little dialogue, it may be imagined that though Mrs Roperwas as good as her word, she was not exactly the woman whom Mrs Eameswould have wished to select as a protecting angel for her son. Butthe truth I take to be this, that protecting angels for widows' sons, at forty-eight pounds a year, paid quarterly, are not to be foundvery readily in London. Mrs Roper was not worse than others of herclass. She would much have preferred lodgers who were respectableto those who were not so, --if she could only have found respectablelodgers as she wanted them. Mr and Mrs Lupex hardly came under thatdenomination; and when she gave them up her big front bedroom at ahundred a year, she knew she was doing wrong. And she was troubled, too, about her own daughter Amelia, who was already over thirty yearsof age. Amelia was a very clever young woman, who had been, if thetruth must be told, first young lady at a millinery establishment inManchester. Mrs Roper knew that Mrs Eames and Mrs Cradell would notwish their sons to associate with her daughter. But what could shedo? She could not refuse the shelter of her own house to her ownchild, and yet her heart misgave her when she saw Amelia flirtingwith young Eames. 

"I wish, Amelia, you wouldn't have so much to say to that young man. "

"Laws, mother. "

"So I do. If you go on like that, you'll put me out of both mylodgers. "

"Go on like what, mother? If a gentleman speaks to me, I suppose I'mto answer him? I know how to behave myself, I believe. " And then shegave her head a toss. Whereupon her mother was silent; for her motherwas afraid of her. 

CHAPTER V

About L. D. 

Apollo Crosbie left London for Allington on the 31st of August, intending to stay there four weeks, with the declared intention ofrecruiting his strength by an absence of two months from officialcares, and with no fixed purpose as to his destiny for the last ofthose two months. Offers of hospitality had been made to him by thedozen. Lady Hartletop's doors, in Shropshire, were open to him, if hechose to enter them. He had been invited by the Countess de Courcyto join her suite at Courcy Castle. His special friend, MontgomerieDobbs, had a place in Scotland, and then there was a yachting partyby which he was much wanted. But Mr Crosbie had as yet knockedhimself down to none of these biddings, having before him when heleft London no other fixed engagement than that which took him toAllington. On the first of October we shall also find ourselves atAllington in company with Johnny Eames; and Apollo Crosbie willstill be there, --by no means to the comfort of our friend from theIncome-tax Office. 

Johnny Eames cannot be called unlucky in that matter of his annualholiday, seeing that he was allowed to leave London in October, amonth during which few chose to own that they remain in town. Formyself, I always regard May as the best month for holiday-making; butthen no Londoner cares to be absent in May. Young Eames, though helived in Burton Crescent and had as yet no connection with the WestEnd, had already learned his lesson in this respect. "Those fellowsin the big room want me to take May, " he had said to his friendCradell. "They must think I'm uncommon green. "

"It's too bad, " said Cradell. "A man shouldn't be asked to take hisleave in May. I never did, and what's more, I never will. I'd go tothe Board first. "

Eames had escaped this evil without going to the Board, and hadsucceeded in obtaining for himself for his own holiday that month ofOctober, which, of all months, is perhaps the most highly esteemedfor holiday purposes. "I shall go down by the mail-train to-morrownight, " he said to Amelia Roper, on the evening before his departure. At that moment he was sitting alone with Amelia in Mrs Roper's backdrawing-room. In the front room Cradell was talking to Mrs Lupex; butas Miss Spruce was with them, it may be presumed that Mr Lupex needhave had no cause for jealousy. 

"Yes, " said Amelia, "I know how great is your haste to get down tothat fascinating spot. I could not expect that you would lose onesingle hour in hurrying away from Burton Crescent. "

Amelia Roper was a tall, well-grown young woman, with dark hair anddark eyes;--not handsome, for her nose was thick, and the lower partof her face was heavy, but yet not without some feminine attractions. Her eyes were bright; but then, also, they were mischievous. Shecould talk fluently enough; but then, also, she could scold. Shecould assume sometimes the plumage of a dove; but then again shecould occasionally ruffle her feathers like an angry kite. I am quiteprepared to acknowledge that John Eames should have kept himselfclear of Amelia Roper; but then young men so frequently do thosethings which they should not do!

"After twelve months up here in London one is glad to get away toone's own friends, " said Johnny. 

"Your own friends, Mr Eames! What sort of friends? Do you suppose Idon't know?"

"Well, no. I don't think you do know. "

"L. D. !" said Amelia, showing that Lily had been spoken of amongpeople who should never have been allowed to hear her name. Butperhaps, after all, no more than those two initials were known inBurton Crescent. From the tone which was now used in naming them, it was sufficiently manifest that Amelia considered herself to bewronged by their very existence. 

"L. S. D. , " said Johnny, attempting the line of a witty, gay youngspendthrift. "That's my love--pounds, shillings, and pence; and avery coy mistress she is. "

"Nonsense, sir. Don't talk to me in that way. As if I didn't knowwhere your heart was. What right had you to speak to me if you had anL. D. Down in the country?"

It should be here declared on behalf of poor John Eames that he hadnot ever spoken to Amelia--he had not spoken to her in any suchphrase as her words seemed to imply. But then he had written to hera fatal note of which we will speak further before long, and thatperhaps was quite as bad, --or worse. 

"Ha, ha, ha!" laughed Johnny. But the laugh was assumed, and notassumed with ease. 

"Yes, sir; it's a laughing matter to you, I dare say. It is very easyfor a man to laugh under such circumstances;--that is to say, if heis perfectly heartless, --if he's got a stone inside his bosom insteadof flesh and blood. Some men are made of stone, I know, and aretroubled with no feelings. "

"What is it you want me to say? You pretend to know all about it, andit wouldn't be civil in me to contradict you. "

"What is it I want? You know very well what I want; or rather, Idon't want anything. What is it to me? It is nothing to me about L. D. You can go down to Allington and do what you like for me. Only Ihate such ways. "

"What ways, Amelia?"

"What ways! Now, look here, Johnny: I'm not going to make a fool ofmyself for any man. When I came home here three months ago--and Iwish I never had;"--she paused here a moment, waiting for a word oftenderness; but as the word of tenderness did not come, she wenton--"but when I did come home, I didn't think there was a man in allLondon could make me care for him, --that I didn't. And now you'regoing away, without so much as hardly saying a word to me. " And thenshe brought out her handkerchief. 

"What am I to say, when you keep on scolding me all the time?"

"Scolding you!--And me too! No, Johnny, I ain't scolding you, anddon't mean to. If it's to be all over between us, say the word, andI'll take myself away out of the house before you come back again. I've had no secrets from you. I can go back to my business inManchester, though it is beneath my birth, and not what I've beenused to. If L. D. Is more to you than I am, I won't stand in yourway. Only say the word. "

L. D. Was more to him than Amelia Roper, --ten times more to him. L. D. Would have been everything to him, and Amelia Roper was worsethan nothing. He felt all this at the moment, and struggled hard tocollect an amount of courage that would make him free. 

"Say the word, " said she, rising on her feet before him, "and allbetween you and me shall be over. I have got your promise, but I'dscorn to take advantage. If Amelia hasn't got your heart, she'ddespise to take your hand. Only I must have an answer. "

It would seem that an easy way of escape was offered to him; but thelady probably knew that the way as offered by her was not easy tosuch an one as John Eames. 

"Amelia, " he said, still keeping his seat. 

"Well, sir?"

"You know I love you. "

"And about L. D. ?"

"If you choose to believe all the nonsense that Cradell puts intoyour head, I can't help it. If you like to make yourself jealousabout two letters, it isn't my fault. "

"And you love me?" said she. 

"Of course I love you. " And then, upon hearing these words, Ameliathrew herself into his arms. 

As the folding doors between the two rooms were not closed, and asMiss Spruce was sitting in her easy chair immediately opposite tothem, it was probable that she saw what passed. But Miss Spruce wasa taciturn old lady, not easily excited to any show of surprise oradmiration; and as she had lived with Mrs Roper for the last twelveyears, she was probably well acquainted with her daughter's ways. 

"You'll be true to me?" said Amelia, during the moment of thatembrace--"true to me for ever?"

"Oh, yes; that's a matter of course, " said Johnny Eames. And then sheliberated him; and the two strolled into the front sitting-room. 

"I declare, Mr Eames, " said Mrs Lupex, "I'm glad you've come. Here'sMr Cradell does say such queer things. "

"Queer things!" said Cradell. "Now, Miss Spruce, I appeal toyou--Have I said any queer things?"

"If you did, sir, I didn't notice them, " said Miss Spruce. 

"I noticed them, then, " said Mrs Lupex. "An unmarried man like MrCradell has no business to know whether a married lady wears a cap orher own hair--has he, Mr Eames?"

"I don't think I ever know, " said Johnny, not intending any sarcasmon Mrs Lupex. 

"I dare say not, sir, " said the lady. "We all know where yourattention is riveted. If you were to wear a cap, my dear, somebodywould see the difference very soon--wouldn't they, Miss Spruce?"

"I dare say they would, " said Miss Spruce. 

"If I could look as nice in a cap as you do, Mrs Lupex, I'd wear oneto-morrow, " said Amelia, who did not wish to quarrel with the marriedlady at the present moment. There were occasions, however, on whichMrs Lupex and Miss Roper were by no means so gracious to each other. 

"Does Lupex like caps?" asked Cradell. 

"If I wore a plumed helmet on my head, it's my belief he wouldn'tknow the difference; nor yet if I had got no head at all. That'swhat comes of getting married. It you'll take my advice, Miss Roper, you'll stay as you are; even though somebody should break his heartabout it. Wouldn't you, Miss Spruce?"

"Oh, as for me, I'm an old woman, you know, " said Miss Spruce, whichwas certainly true. 

"I don't see what any woman gets by marrying, " continued Mrs Lupex. "But a man gains everything. He don't know how to live, unless he'sgot a woman to help him. "

"But is love to go for nothing?" said Cradell. 

"Oh, love! I don't believe in love. I suppose I thought I loved once, but what did it come to after all? Now, there's Mr Eames--we all knowhe's in love. "

"It comes natural to me, Mrs Lupex. I was born so, " said Johnny. 

"And there's Miss Roper--one never ought to speak free about a lady, but perhaps she's in love too. "

"Speak for yourself, Mrs Lupex, " said Amelia. 

"There's no harm in saying that, is there? I'm sure, if you ain't, you're very hard-hearted; for, if ever there was a true lover, Ibelieve you've got one of your own. My!--if there's not Lupex's stepon the stair! What can bring him home at this hour? If he's beendrinking, he'll come home as cross as anything. " Then Mr Lupexentered the room, and the pleasantness of the party was destroyed. 

It may be said that neither Mrs Cradell nor Mrs Eames would haveplaced their sons in Burton Crescent if they had known the dangersinto which the young men would fall. Each, it must be acknowledged, was imprudent; but each clearly saw the imprudence of the other. Nota week before this, Cradell had seriously warned his friend againstthe arts of Miss Roper. "By George, Johnny, you'll get yourselfentangled with that girl. "

"One always has to go through that sort of thing, " said Johnny. 

"Yes; but those who go through too much of it never get out again. Where would you be if she got a written promise of marriage fromyou?" Poor Johnny did not answer this immediately, for in very truthAmelia Roper had such a document in her possession. 

"Where should I be?" said he. "Among the breaches of promise, Isuppose. "

"Either that, or else among the victims of matrimony. My belief ofyou is, that if you gave such a promise, you'd carry it out. "

"Perhaps I should, " said Johnny; "but I don't know. It's a matter ofdoubt what a man ought to do in such a case. "

"But there's been nothing of that kind yet?"

"Oh dear, no!"

"If I was you, Johnny, I'd keep away from her. It's very good fun, ofcourse, that sort of thing; but it is so uncommon dangerous! Wherewould you be now with such a girl as that for your wife?"

Such had been the caution given by Cradell to his friend. And now, just as he was starting for Allington, Eames returned the compliment. They had gone together to the Great Western station at Paddington, and Johnny tendered his advice as they were walking together up anddown the platform. 

"I say, Caudle, old boy, you'll find yourself in trouble with thatMrs Lupex, if you don't take care of yourself. "

"But I shall take care of myself. There's nothing so safe as a littlenonsense with a married woman. Of course, it means nothing, you know, between her and me. "

"I don't suppose it does mean anything. But she's always talkingabout Lupex being jealous; and if he was to cut up rough, youwouldn't find it pleasant. "

Cradell, however, seemed to think that there was no danger. Hislittle affair with Mrs Lupex was quite platonic and safe. As fordoing any real harm, his principles, as he assured his friend, weretoo high. Mrs Lupex was a woman of talent, whom no one seemed tounderstand, and, therefore, he had taken some pleasure in studyingher character. It was merely a study of character, and nothing more. Then the friends parted, and Eames was carried away by the nightmail-train down to Guestwick. 

How his mother was up to receive him at four o'clock in the morning, how her maternal heart was rejoicing at seeing the improvement inhis gait, and the manliness of appearance imparted to him by hiswhiskers, I need not describe at length. Many of the attributes ofa hobbledehoy had fallen from him, and even Lily Dale might nowprobably acknowledge that he was no longer a boy. All which might beregarded as good, if only in putting off childish things he had takenup things which were better than childish. 

On the very first day of his arrival he made his way over toAllington. He did not walk on this occasion as he had used to do inthe old happy days. He had an idea that it might not be well for himto go into Mrs Dale's drawing-room with the dust of the road on hisboots, and the heat of the day on his brow. So he borrowed a horseand rode over, taking some pride in a pair of spurs which he hadbought in Piccadilly, and in his kid gloves, which were brought outnew for the occasion. Alas, alas! I fear that those two years inLondon have not improved John Eames; and yet I have to acknowledgethat John Eames is one of the heroes of my story. 

On entering Mrs Dale's drawing-room he found Mrs Dale and her eldestdaughter. Lily at the moment was not there, and as he shook handswith the other two, of course, he asked for her. 

"She is only in the garden, " said Bell. "She will be here directly. "

"She has walked across to the Great House with Mr Crosbie, " said MrsDale; "but she is not going to remain. She will be so glad to seeyou, John! We all expected you to-day. "

"Did you?" said Johnny, whose heart had been plunged into cold waterat the mention of Mr Crosbie's name. He had been thinking of LilianDale ever since his friend had left him on the railway platform; and, as I beg to assure all ladies who may read my tale, the truth of hislove for Lily had moulted no feather through that unholy liaisonbetween him and Miss Roper. I fear that I shall be disbelieved inthis; but it was so. His heart was and ever had been true to Lilian, although he had allowed himself to be talked into declarations ofaffection by such a creature as Amelia Roper. He had been thinkingof his meeting with Lily all the night and throughout the morning, and now he heard that she was walking alone about the gardenswith a strange gentleman. That Mr Crosbie was very grand and veryfashionable he had heard, but he knew no more of him. Why should MrCrosbie be allowed to walk with Lily Dale? And why should Mrs Dalemention the circumstance as though it were quite a thing of course?Such mystery as there was in this was solved very quickly. 

"I'm sure Lily won't object to my telling such a dear friend as youwhat has happened, " said Mrs Dale. "She is engaged to be married toMr Crosbie. "

The water into which Johnny's heart had been plunged now closed overhis head and left him speechless. Lily Dale was engaged to be marriedto Mr Crosbie! He knew that he should have spoken when he heard thetidings. He knew that the moments of silence as they passed by toldhis secret to the two women before him, --that secret which it wouldnow behove him to conceal from all the world. But yet he could notspeak. 

"We are all very well pleased at the match, " said Mrs Dale, wishingto spare him. 

"Nothing can be nicer than Mr Crosbie, " said Bell. "We have oftentalked about you, and he will be so happy to know you. "

"He won't know much about me, " said Johnny; and even in speakingthese few senseless words--words which he uttered because it wasnecessary that he should say something--the tone of his voice wasaltered. He would have given the world to have been master of himselfat this moment, but he felt that he was utterly vanquished. 

"There is Lily coming across the lawn, " said Mrs Dale. 

"Then I'd better go, " said Eames. "Don't say anything about it; praydon't. " And then, without waiting for another word, he escaped out ofthe drawing-room. 

CHAPTER VI

Beautiful Days

I am well aware that I have not as yet given any description of Belland Lilian Dale, and equally well aware that the longer the doingso is postponed the greater the difficulty becomes. I wish it couldbe understood without any description that they were two pretty, fair-haired girls, of whom Bell was the tallest and the prettiest, whereas Lily was almost as pretty as her sister, and perhaps was moreattractive. 

They were fair-haired girls, very like each other, of whom I havebefore my mind's eye a distinct portrait, which I fear I shall not beable to draw in any such manner as will make it distinct to others. They were something below the usual height, being slight and slenderin all their proportions. Lily was the shorter of the two, but thedifference was so trifling that it was hardly remembered unless thetwo were together. And when I said that Bell was the prettier, Ishould, perhaps, have spoken more justly had I simply declared thather features were more regular than her sister's. The two girlswere very fair, so that the soft tint of colour which relieved thewhiteness of their complexion was rather acknowledged than distinctlyseen. It was there, telling its own tale of health, as its absencewould have told a tale of present or coming sickness; and yet nobodycould ever talk about the colour in their cheeks. The hair of the twogirls was so alike in hue and texture, that no one, not even theirmother, could say that there was a difference. It was not flaxenhair, and yet it was very light. Nor did it approach to auburn;and yet there ran through it a golden tint that gave it a distinctbrightness of its own. But with Bell it was more plentiful thanwith Lily, and therefore Lily would always talk of her own scantylocks, and tell how beautiful were those belonging to her sister. Nevertheless Lily's head was quite as lovely as her sister's; for itsform was perfect, and the simple braids in which they both wore theirhair did not require any great exuberance in quantity. Their eyeswere brightly blue; but Bell's were long, and soft, and tender, oftenhardly daring to raise themselves to your face; while those of Lilywere rounder, but brighter, and seldom kept by any want of couragefrom fixing themselves where they pleased. And Lily's face wasperhaps less oval in its form, --less perfectly oval, --than hersister's. The shape of the forehead was, I think, the same, but withBell the chin was something more slender and delicate. But Bell'schin was unmarked, whereas on her sister's there was a dimple whichamply compensated for any other deficiency in its beauty. Bell'steeth were more even than her sister's; but then she showed her teethmore frequently. Her lips were thinner, and, as I cannot but think, less expressive. Her nose was decidedly more regular in its beauty, for Lily's nose was somewhat broader than it should have been. Itmay, therefore, be understood that Bell would be considered thebeauty by the family. 

But there was, perhaps, more in the general impression made bythese girls, and in the whole tone of their appearance, than in theabsolute loveliness of their features or the grace of their figures. There was about them a dignity of demeanour devoid of all stiffnessor pride, and a maidenly modesty which gave itself no airs. In themwas always apparent that sense of security which women should receivefrom an unconscious dependence on their own mingled purity andweakness. These two girls were never afraid of men, --never looked asthough they were so afraid. And I may say that they had little causefor that kind of fear to which I allude. It might be the lot ofeither of them to be ill-used by a man, but it was hardly possiblethat either of them should ever be insulted by one. Lily, as may, perhaps, have been already seen, could be full of play, but in herplay she never so carried herself that any one could forget what wasdue to her. 

And now Lily Dale was engaged to be married, and the days of herplayfulness were over. It sounds sad, this sentence against her, butI fear that it must be regarded as true. And when I think that itis true, --when I see that the sportiveness and kitten-like gambolsof girlhood should be over, and generally are over, when a girlhas given her troth, it becomes a matter of regret to me that thefeminine world should be in such a hurry after matrimony. I have, however, no remedy to offer for the evil; and, indeed, am aware thatthe evil, if there be an evil, is not well expressed in the words Ihave used. The hurry is not for matrimony, but for love. Then, thelove once attained, matrimony seizes it for its own, and the evil isaccomplished. 

And Lily Dale was engaged to be married to Adolphus Crosbie, --toApollo Crosbie, as she still called him, confiding her little joketo his own ears. And to her he was an Apollo, as a man who is lovedshould be to the girl who loves him. He was handsome, graceful, clever, self-confident, and always cheerful when she asked him to becheerful. But he had also his more serious moments, and could talkto her of serious matters. He would read to her, and explain to herthings which had hitherto been too hard for her young intelligence. His voice, too, was pleasant, and well under command. It could bepathetic if pathos were required, or ring with laughter as merry asher own. Was not such a man fit to be an Apollo to such a girl, whenonce the girl had acknowledged to herself that she loved him?

She had acknowledged it to herself, and had acknowledged it tohim, --as the reader will perhaps say without much delay. But thecourtship had so been carried on that no delay had been needed. Allthe world had smiled upon it. When Mr Crosbie had first come amongthem at Allington, as Bernard's guest, during those few days of hisearly visit, it had seemed as though Bell had been chiefly noticedby him. And Bell in her own quiet way had accepted his admiration, saying nothing of it and thinking but very little. Lily washeart-free at the time, and had ever been so. No first shadow fromLove's wing had as yet been thrown across the pure tablets of herbosom. With Bell it was not so, --not so in absolute strictness. Bell's story, too, must be told, but not on this page. But beforeCrosbie had come among them, it was a thing fixed in her mind thatsuch love as she had felt must be overcome and annihilated. We maysay that it had been overcome and annihilated, and that she wouldhave sinned in no way had she listened to vows from this new Apollo. It is almost sad to think that such a man might have had the love ofeither of such girls, but I fear that I must acknowledge that it wasso. Apollo, in the plenitude of his power, soon changed his mind; andbefore the end of his first visit, had transferred the distant homagewhich he was then paying from the elder to the younger sister. Heafterwards returned, as the squire's guest, for a longer sojournamong them, and at the end of the first month had already beenaccepted as Lily's future husband. 

It was beautiful to see how Bell changed in her mood towards Crosbieand towards her sister as soon as she perceived how the affair wasgoing. She was not long in perceiving it, having caught the firstglimpses of the idea on that evening when they both dined at theGreat House, leaving their mother alone to eat or to neglect thepeas. For some six or seven weeks Crosbie had been gone, and duringthat time Bell had been much more open in speaking of him than hersister. She had been present when Crosbie had bid them good-bye, andhad listened to his eagerness as he declared to Lily that he shouldsoon be back again at Allington. Lily had taken this very quietly, as though it had not belonged at all to herself; but Bell had seensomething of the truth, and, believing in Crosbie as an earnest, honest man, had spoken kind words of him, fostering any littleaptitude for love which might already have formed itself in Lily'sbosom. 

"But he is such an Apollo, you know, " Lily had said. 

"He is a gentleman; I can see that. "

"Oh, yes; a man can't be an Apollo unless he's a gentleman. "

"And he's very clever. "

"I suppose he is clever. " There was nothing more said about his beinga mere clerk. Indeed, Lily had changed her mind on that subject. Johnny Eames was a mere clerk; whereas Crosbie, if he was to becalled a clerk at all, was a clerk of some very special denomination. There may be a great difference between one clerk and another! AClerk of the Council and a parish clerk are very different persons. Lily had got some such idea as this into her head as she attemptedin her own mind to rescue Mr Crosbie from the lower orders of theGovernment service. 

"I wish he were not coming, " Mrs Dale had said to her eldestdaughter. 

"I think you are wrong, mamma. "

"But if she should become fond of him, and then--"

"Lily will never become really fond of any man till he shall havegiven her proper reason. And if he admires her, why should they notcome together?"

"But she is so young, Bell. "

"She is nineteen; and if they were engaged, perhaps, they might waitfor a year or so. But it's no good talking in that way, mamma. If youwere to tell Lily not to give him encouragement, she would not speakto him. "

"I should not think of interfering. "

"No, mamma; and therefore it must take its course. For myself, I likeMr Crosbie very much. "

"So do I, my dear. "

"And so does my uncle. I wouldn't have Lily take a lover of myuncle's choosing. "

"I should hope not. "

"But it must be considered a good thing if she happens to choose oneof his liking. "

In this way the matter had been talked over between the mother andher elder daughter. Then Mr Crosbie had come; and before the endof the first month his declared admiration for Lily had provedthe correctness of her sister's foresight. And during that shortcourtship all had gone well with the lovers. The squire from thefirst had declared himself satisfied with the match, informing MrsDale, in his cold manner, that Mr Crosbie was a gentleman with anincome sufficient for matrimony. 

"It would be close enough in London, " Mrs Dale had said. 

"He has more than my brother had when he married, " said the squire. 

"If he will only make her as happy as your brother made me, --whileit lasted!" said Mrs Dale, as she turned away her face to conceal atear that was coming. And then there was nothing more said about itbetween the squire and his sister-in-law. The squire spoke no word asto assistance in money matters, --did not even suggest that he wouldlend a hand to the young people at starting, as an uncle in such aposition might surely have done. It may well be conceived that MrsDale herself said nothing on the subject. And, indeed, it may beconceived, also, that the squire, let his intentions be what theymight, would not divulge them to Mrs Dale. This was uncomfortable, but the position was one that was well understood between them. 

Bernard Dale was still at Allington, and had remained there throughthe period of Crosbie's absence. Whatever words Mrs Dale might chooseto speak on the matter would probably be spoken to him; but, then, Bernard could be quite as close as his uncle. When Crosbie returned, he and Bernard had, of course, lived much together; and, as wasnatural, there came to be close discussion between them as to the twogirls, when Crosbie allowed it to be understood that his liking forLily was becoming strong. 

"You know, I suppose, that my uncle wishes me to marry the elderone, " Bernard had said. 

"I have guessed as much. "

"And I suppose the match will come off. She's a pretty girl, and asgood as gold. "

"Yes, she is. "

"I don't pretend to be very much in love with her. It's not my way, you know. But, some of these days, I shall ask her to have me, andI suppose it'll all go right. The governor has distinctly promisedto allow me eight hundred a year off the estate, and to take us infor three months every year if we wish it. I told him simply that Icouldn't do it for less, and he agreed with me. "

"You and he get on very well together. "

"Oh, yes! There's never been any fal-lal between us about love, andduty, and all that. I think we understand each other, and that'severything. He knows the comfort of standing well with the heir, and I know the comfort of standing well with the owner. " It must beadmitted, I think, that there was a great deal of sound, common senseabout Bernard Dale. 

"What will he do for the younger sister?" asked Crosbie; and, as heasked the important question, a close observer might have perceivedthat there was some slight tremor in his voice. 

"Ah! that's more than I can tell you. If I were you, I should askhim. The governor is a plain man, and likes plain business. "

"I suppose you couldn't ask him?"

"No; I don't think I could. It is my belief that he will not let hergo by any means empty-handed. "

"Well, I should suppose not. "

"But remember this, Crosbie, --I can say nothing to you on which youare to depend. Lily, also, is as good as gold; and, as you seem tobe fond of her, I should ask the governor, if I were you, in so manywords, what he intends to do. Of course, it's against my interest, for every shilling he gives Lily will ultimately come out of mypocket. But I'm not the man to care about that, as you know. "

What might be Crosbie's knowledge on this subject we will not hereinquire; but we may say that it would have mattered very little tohim out of whose pocket the money came, so long as it went into hisown. When he felt quite sure of Lily, --having, in fact, receivedLily's permission to speak to her uncle, and Lily's promise that shewould herself speak to her mother, --he did tell the squire what washis intention. This he did in an open, manly way, as though he feltthat in asking for much he also offered to give much. 

"I have nothing to say against it, " said the squire. 

"And I have your permission to consider myself as engaged to her?"

"If you have hers and her mother's. Of course you are aware that Ihave no authority over her. "

"She would not marry without your sanction. "

"She is very good to think so much of her uncle, " said the squire;and his words as he spoke them sounded very cold in Crosbie's ears. After that Crosbie said nothing about money, having to confess tohimself that he was afraid to do so. "And what would be the use?"said he to himself, wishing to make excuses for what he felt to beweak in his own conduct. "If he should refuse to give her a shillingI could not go back from it now. " And then some ideas ran across hismind as to the injustice to which men are subjected in this matter ofmatrimony. A man has to declare himself before it is fitting that heshould make any inquiry about a lady's money; and then, when he hasdeclared himself, any such inquiry is unavailing. Which considerationsomewhat cooled the ardour of his happiness. Lily Dale was verypretty, very nice, very refreshing in her innocence, her purity, and her quick intelligence. No amusement could be more deliciouslyamusing than that of making love to Lily Dale. Her way of flatteringher lover without any intention of flattery on her part, had putCrosbie into a seventh heaven. In all his experience he had knownnothing like it. "You may be sure of this, " she had said, --"Ishall love you with all my heart and all my strength. " It was verynice;--but then what were they to live upon? Could it be that he, Adolphus Crosbie, should settle down on the north side of the NewRoad, as a married, man, with eight hundred a year? If indeed thesquire would be as good to Lily as he had promised to be to Bell, then indeed things might be made to arrange themselves. 

But there was no such drawback on Lily's happiness. Her ideas aboutmoney were rather vague, but they were very honest. She knew she hadnone of her own, but supposed it was a husband's duty to find whatwould be needful. She knew she had none of her own, and was thereforeaware that she ought not to expect luxuries in the little householdthat was to be prepared for her. She hoped, for his sake, that heruncle might give some assistance, but was quite prepared to provethat she could be a good poor man's wife. In the old colloquies onsuch matters between her and her sister, she had always declared thatsome decent income should be considered as indispensable before lovecould be entertained. But eight hundred a year had been considered asdoing much more than fulfilling this stipulation. Bell had high-flownnotions as to the absolute glory of poverty. She had declared thatincome should not be considered at all. If she had loved a man, shecould allow herself to be engaged to him, even though he had noincome. Such had been their theories; and as regarded money, Lily wasquite contented with the way in which she had carried out her own. 

In these beautiful days there was nothing to check her happiness. Hermother and sister united in telling her that she had done well, --thatshe was happy in her choice, and justified in her love. On that firstday, when she told her mother all, she had been made exquisitelyblissful by the way in which her tidings had been received. 

"Oh! mamma, I must tell you something, " she said, coming up to hermother's bedroom, after a long ramble with Mr Crosbie through thoseAllington fields. 

"Is it about Mr Crosbie?"

"Yes, mamma. " And then the rest had been said through the medium ofwarm embraces and happy tears rather than by words. 

As she sat in her mother's room, hiding her face on her mother'sshoulders, Bell had come, and had knelt at her feet. 

"Dear Lily, " she had said, "I am so glad. " And then Lily rememberedhow she had, as it were, stolen her lover from her sister, and sheput her arms round Bell's neck and kissed her. 

"I knew how it was going to be from the very first, " said Bell. "DidI not, mamma?"

"I'm sure I didn't, " said Lily. "I never thought such a thing waspossible. "

"But we did, --mamma and I. "

"Did you?" said Lily. 

"Bell told me that it was to be so, " said Mrs Dale. "But I couldhardly bring myself at first to think that he was good enough for mydarling. "

"Oh, mamma! you must not say that. You must think that he is goodenough for anything. "

"I will think that he is very good. "

"Who could be better? And then, when you remember all that he is togive up for my sake!-- And what can I do for him in return? What haveI got to give him?"

Neither Mrs Dale nor Bell could look at the matter in this light, thinking that Lily gave quite as much as she received. But they bothdeclared that Crosbie was perfect, knowing that by such assurancesonly could they now administer to Lily's happiness; and Lily, betweenthem, was made perfect in her happiness, receiving all manner ofencouragement in her love, and being nourished in her passion by thesympathy and approval of her mother and sister. 

And then had come that visit from Johnny Eames. As the poor fellowmarched out of the room, giving them no time to say farewell, MrsDale and Bell looked at each other sadly; but they were unable toconcoct any arrangement, for Lily had run across the lawn and wasalready on the ground before the window. 

"As soon as we got to the end of the shrubbery there were UncleChristopher and Bernard close to us; so I told Adolphus he might goon by himself. "

"And who do you think has been here?" said Bell. But Mrs Dale saidnothing. Had time been given to her to use her own judgment, nothingshould have been said at that moment as to Johnny's visit. 

"Has anybody been here since I went? Whoever it was didn't stay verylong. "

"Poor Johnny Eames, " said Bell. Then the colour came up into Lily'sface, and she bethought herself in a moment that the old friend ofher young days had loved her, that he, too, had had hopes as to hislove, and that now he had heard tidings which would put an end tosuch hopes. She understood it all in a moment, but understood alsothat it was necessary that she should conceal such understanding. 

"Dear Johnny!" she said. "Why did he not wait for me?"

"We told him you were out, " said Mrs Dale. "He will be here againbefore long, no doubt. "

"And he knows--?"

"Yes; I thought you would not object to my telling him. "

"No, mamma; of course not. And he has gone back to Guestwick?"

There was no answer given to this question, nor were there anyfurther words then spoken about Johnny Eames. Each of these womenunderstood exactly how the matter stood, and each knew that theothers understood it. The young man was loved by them all, but notloved with that sort of admiring affection which had been accordedto Mr Crosbie. Johnny Eames could not have been accepted as a suitorby their pet. Mrs Dale and Bell both felt that. And yet they lovedhim for his love, and for that distant, modest respect which hadrestrained him from any speech regarding it. Poor Johnny! But hewas young, --hardly as yet out of his hobbledehoyhood, --and he wouldeasily recover this blow, remembering, and perhaps feeling to hisadvantage, some slight touch of its passing romance. It is thus womenthink of men who love young and love in vain. 

But Johnny Eames himself, as he rode back to Guestwick, forgetfulof his spurs, and with his gloves stuffed into his pocket, thoughtof the matter very differently. He had never promised to himselfany success as to his passion for Lily, and had, indeed, alwaysacknowledged that he could have no hope; but now, that she wasactually promised to another man, and as good as married, he was notthe less broken-hearted because his former hopes had not been high. He had never dared to speak to Lily of his love, but he was consciousthat she knew it, and he did not now dare to stand before her as oneconvicted of having loved in vain. And then, as he rode back, hethought also of his other love, not with many of those pleasantthoughts which Lotharios and Don Juans may be presumed to enjoy whenthey contemplate their successes. "I suppose I shall marry her, andthere'll be an end of me, " he said to himself, as he remembered ashort note which he had once written to her in his madness. There hadbeen a little supper at Mrs Roper's, and Mrs Lupex and Amelia hadmade the punch. After supper, he had been by some accident alone withAmelia in the dining-parlour; and when, warmed by the generous god, he had declared his passion, she had shaken her head mournfully, and had fled from him to some upper region, absolutely refusinghis proffered embrace. But on the same night, before his head hadfound its pillow, a note had come to him, half repentant, halfaffectionate, half repellent, --"If, indeed, he would swear to herthat his love was honest and manly, then, indeed, she might evenyet, --see him through the chink of the doorway with the purport oftelling him that he was forgiven. " Whereupon, a perfidious pencilbeing near to his hand, he had written the requisite words. "Myonly object in life is to call you my own for ever. " Amelia had hermisgivings whether such a promise, in order that it might be used aslegal evidence, should not have been written in ink. It was a painfuldoubt; but nevertheless she was as good as her word, and saw himthrough the chink, forgiving him for his impetuosity in the parlourwith, perhaps, more clemency than a mere pardon required. "By George!how well she looked with her hair all loose, " he said to himself, ashe at last regained his pillow, still warm with the generous god. But now, as he thought of that night, returning on his road fromAllington to Guestwick, those loose, floating locks were rememberedby him with no strong feeling as to their charms. And he thought alsoof Lily Dale, as she was when he had said farewell to her on that daybefore he first went up to London. "I shall care more about seeingyou than anybody, " he had said; and he had often thought of the wordssince, wondering whether she had understood them as meaning morethan an assurance of ordinary friendship. And he remembered well thedress she had then worn. It was an old brown merino, which he hadknown before, and which, in truth, had nothing in it to recommend itspecially to a lover's notice. "Horrid old thing!" had been Lily'sown verdict respecting the frock, even before that day. But shehad hallowed it in his eyes, and he would have been only too happyto have worn a shred of it near his heart, as a talisman. Howwonderful in its nature is that passion of which men speak when theyacknowledge to themselves that they are in love. Of all things, itis, under one condition, the most foul, and under another, the mostfair. As that condition is, a man shows himself either as a beastor as a god! And so we will let poor Johnny Eames ride back toGuestwick, suffering much in that he had loved basely--and sufferingmuch, also, in that he had loved nobly. 

Lily, as she had tripped along through the shrubbery, under herlover's arm, looking up, every other moment, into his face, hadespied her uncle and Bernard. "Stop, " she had said, giving him alittle pull at the arm; "I won't go on. Uncle is always teasing mewith some old-fashioned wit. And I've had quite enough of you to-day, sir. Mind you come over to-morrow before you go to your shooting. "And so she had left him. 

We may as well learn here what was the question in dispute betweenthe uncle and cousin, as they were walking there on the broad gravelpath behind the Great House. "Bernard, " the old man had said, "I wishthis matter could be settled between you and Bell. "

"Is there any hurry about it, sir?"

"Yes, there is hurry; or, rather, as I hate hurry in all things, Iwould say that there is ground for despatch. Mind, I do not wish todrive you. If you do not like your cousin, say so. "

"But I do like her; only I have a sort of feeling that these thingsgrow best by degrees. I quite share your dislike to being in ahurry. "

"But time enough has been taken now. You see, Bernard, I am going tomake a great sacrifice of income on your behalf. "

"I am sure I am very grateful. "

"I have no children, and have therefore always regarded you as myown. But there is no reason why my brother Philip's daughter shouldnot be as dear to me as my brother Orlando's son. "

"Of course not, sir; or, rather, his two daughters. "

"You may leave that matter to me, Bernard. The younger girl is goingto marry this friend of yours, and as he has a sufficient income tosupport a wife, I think that my sister-in-law has good reason to besatisfied by the match. She will not be expected to give up any partof her small income, as she must have done had Lily married a poorman. "

"I suppose she could hardly give up much. "

"People must be guided by circumstances. I am not disposed to putmyself in the place of a parent to them both. There is no reason whyI should, and I will not encourage false hopes. If I knew that thismatter between you and Bell was arranged, I should have reason tofeel satisfied with what I was doing. " From all which Bernard beganto perceive that poor Crosbie's expectations in the matter ofmoney would not probably receive much gratification. But he alsoperceived--or thought that he perceived--a kind of threat in thiswarning from his uncle. "I have promised you eight hundred a yearwith your wife, " the warning seemed to say. "But if you do not atonce accept it, or let me feel that it will be accepted, it may bewell for me to change my mind--especially as this other niece isabout to be married. If I am to give you so large a fortune withBell, I need do nothing for Lily. But if you do not choose to takeBell and the fortune, why then--" And so on. It was thus that Bernardread his uncle's caution, as they walked together on the broad gravelpath. 

"I have no desire to postpone the matter any longer, " said Bernard. "I will propose to Bell at once, if you wish it. "

"If your mind be quite made up, I cannot see why you should delayit. "

And then, having thus arranged that matter, they received theirfuture relative with kind smiles and soft words. 

CHAPTER VII

The Beginning of Troubles

Lily, as she parted with her lover in the garden, had required of himto attend upon her the next morning as he went to his shooting, andin obedience to this command he appeared on Mrs Dale's lawn afterbreakfast, accompanied by Bernard and two dogs. The men had guns intheir hands, and were got up with all proper sporting appurtenances, but it so turned out that they did not reach the stubble-fields onthe farther side of the road until after luncheon. And may it not befairly doubted whether croquet is not as good as shooting when a manis in love?

It will be said that Bernard Dale was not in love; but they who bringsuch accusation against him, will bring it falsely. He was in lovewith his cousin Bell according to his manner and fashion. It was nothis nature to love Bell as John Eames loved Lily; but then neitherwould his nature bring him into such a trouble as that which thecharms of Amelia Roper had brought upon the poor clerk from theIncome-tax Office. Johnny was susceptible, as the word goes; whereasCaptain Dale was a man who had his feelings well under control. Hewas not one to make a fool of himself about a girl, or to die of abroken heart; but, nevertheless, he would probably love his wife whenhe got a wife, and would be a careful father to his children. 

They were very intimate with each other now, --these four. It wasBernard and Adolphus, or sometimes Apollo, and Bell and Lily amongthem; and Crosbie found it to be pleasant enough. A new positionof life had come upon him, and one exceeding pleasant; but, nevertheless, there were moments in which cold fits of a melancholynature came upon him. He was doing the very thing which throughoutall the years of his manhood he had declared to himself that hewould not do. According to his plan of life he was to have eschewedmarriage, and to have allowed himself to regard it as a possibleevent only under the circumstances of wealth, rank, and beauty allcoming in his way together. As he had expected no such gloriousprize, he had regarded himself as a man who would reign at theBeaufort and be potent at Sebright's to the end of his chapter. Butnow--

It was the fact that he had fallen from his settled position, vanquished by a silver voice, a pretty wit, and a pair of moderatelybright eyes. He was very fond of Lily, having in truth a strongercapability for falling in love than his friend Captain Dale; but wasthe sacrifice worth his while? This was the question which he askedhimself in those melancholy moments; while he was lying in bed, forinstance, awake in the morning, when he was shaving himself, andsometimes also when the squire was prosy after dinner. At such timesas these, while he would be listening to Mr Dale, his self-reproacheswould sometimes be very bitter. Why should he undergo this, he, Crosbie of Sebright's, Crosbie of the General Committee Office, Crosbie who would allow no one to bore him between Charing Cross andthe far end of Bayswater, --why should he listen to the long-windedstories of such a one as Squire Dale? If, indeed, the squire intendedto be liberal to his niece, then it might be very well. But as yetthe squire had given no sign of such intention, and Crosbie was angrywith himself in that he had not had the courage to ask a question onthat subject. 

And thus the course of love was not all smooth to our Apollo. It wasstill pleasant for him when he was there on the croquet ground, orsitting in Mrs Dale's drawing-room with all the privileges of anaccepted lover. It was pleasant to him also as he sipped the squire'sclaret, knowing that his coffee would soon be handed to him by asweet girl who would have tripped across the two gardens on purposeto perform for him this service. There is nothing pleasanter than allthis, although a man when so treated does feel himself to look like acalf at the altar, ready for the knife, with blue ribbons round hishorns and neck. Crosbie felt that he was such a calf, --and the morecalf-like, in that he had not as yet dared to ask a question abouthis wife's fortune. "I will have it out of the old fellow thisevening, " he said to himself, as he buttoned on his dandy shootinggaiters that morning. 

"How nice he looks in them, " Lily said to her sister afterwards, knowing nothing of the thoughts which had troubled her lover's mindwhile he was adorning his legs. 

"I suppose we shall come back this way, " Crosbie said, as theyprepared to move away on their proper business when lunch was over. 

"Well, not exactly!" said Bernard. "We shall make our way round byDarvell's farm, and so back by Gruddock's. Are the girls going todine up at the Great House to-day?"

The girls declared that they were not going to dine up at the GreatHouse, --that they did not intend going to the Great House at all thatevening. 

"Then, as you won't have to dress, you might as well meet us atGruddock's gate, at the back of the farmyard. We'll be there exactlyat half-past five. "

"That is to say, we're to be there at half-past five, and you'll keepus waiting for three-quarters of an hour, " said Lily. Neverthelessthe arrangement as proposed was made, and the two ladies were notat all unwilling to make it. It is thus that the game is carried onamong unsophisticated people who really live in the country. Thefarmyard gate at Farmer Gruddock's has not a fitting sound as atrysting-place in romance, but for people who are in earnest it doesas well as any oak in the middle glade of a forest. Lily Dale wasquite in earnest--and so indeed was Adolphus Crosbie, --only with himthe earnest was beginning to take that shade of brown which mostearnest things have to wear in this vale of tears. With Lily it wasas yet all rose-coloured. And Bernard Dale was also in earnest. Throughout this morning he had stood very near to Bell on thelawn, and had thought that his cousin did not receive his littlewhisperings with any aversion. Why should she? Lucky girl that shewas, thus to have eight hundred a year pinned to her skirt!

"I say, Dale, " Crosbie said, as in the course of their day's workthey had come round upon Gruddock's ground, and were preparing tofinish off his turnips before they reached the farmyard gate. Andnow, as Crosbie spoke, they stood leaning on the gate, looking at theturnips while the two dogs squatted on their haunches. Crosbie hadbeen very silent for the last mile or two, and had been making up hismind for this conversation. "I say, Dale, --your uncle has never saida word to me yet as to Lily's fortune. "

"As to Lily's fortune! The question is whether Lily has got afortune. "

"He can hardly expect that I am to take her without something. Youruncle is a man of the world and he knows--"

"Whether or no my uncle is a man of the world, I will not say; butyou are, Crosbie, whether he is or not. Lily, as you have alwaysknown, has nothing of her own. "

"I am not talking of Lily's own. I'm speaking of her uncle. I havebeen straightforward with him; and when I became attached to yourcousin I declared what I meant at once. "

"You should have asked him the question, if you thought there was anyroom for such a question. "

"Thought there was any room! Upon my word, you are a cool fellow. "

"Now look here, Crosbie; you may say what you like about my uncle, but you must not say a word against Lily. "

"Who is going to say a word against her? You can little understand meif you don't know that the protection of her name against evil wordsis already more my care than it is yours. I regard Lily as my own. "

"I only meant to say, that any discontent you may feel as to hermoney, or want of money, you must refer to my uncle, and not to thefamily at the Small House. "

"I am quite well aware of that. "

"And though you are quite at liberty to say what you like to me aboutmy uncle, I cannot say that I can see that he has been to blame. "

"He should have told me what her prospects are. "

"But if she have got no prospects! It cannot be an uncle's duty totell everybody that he does not mean to give his niece a fortune. Inpoint of fact, why should you suppose that he has such an intention?"

"Do you know that he has not? because you once led me to believe thathe would give his niece money. "

"Now, Crosbie, it is necessary that you and I should understand eachother in this matter--"

"But did you not?"

"Listen to me for a moment. I never said a word to you about myuncle's intentions in any way, until after you had become fullyengaged to Lily with the knowledge of us all. Then, when my belief onthe subject could make no possible difference in your conduct, I toldyou that I thought my uncle would do something for her. I told you sobecause I did think so, --and as your friend, I should have told youwhat I thought in any matter that concerned your interest. "

"And now you have changed your opinion?"

"I have changed my opinion; but very probably without sufficientground. "

"That's hard upon me. "

"It may be hard to bear disappointment; but you cannot say thatanybody has ill-used you. "

"And you don't think he will give her anything?"

"Nothing that will be of much moment to you. "

"And I'm not to say that that's hard? I think it confounded hard. Ofcourse I must put off my marriage. "

"Why do you not speak to my uncle?"

"I shall do so. To tell the truth, I think it would have come betterfrom him; but that is a matter of opinion. I shall tell him veryplainly what I think about it; and if he is angry, why, I suppose Imust leave his house; that will be all. "

"Look here, Crosbie; do not begin your conversation with the purposeof angering him. He is not a bad-hearted man, but is very obstinate. "

"I can be quite as obstinate as he. " And, then, without furtherparley, they went in among the turnips, and each swore againsthis luck as he missed his birds. There are certain phases of mindin which a man can neither ride nor shoot, nor play a stroke atbilliards, nor remember a card at whist, --and to such a phase of mindhad come both Crosbie and Dale after their conversation over thegate. 

They were not above fifteen minutes late at the trysting-place, butnevertheless, punctual though they had been, the girls were therebefore them. Of course the first inquiries were made about the game, and of course the gentlemen declared that the birds were scarcerthan they had ever been before, that the dogs were wilder, and theirluck more excruciatingly bad, --to all which apologies very littleattention was paid. Lily and Bell had not come there to inquire afterpartridges, and would have forgiven the sportsmen even though nosingle bird had been killed. But they could not forgive the want ofgood spirits which was apparent. 

"I declare I don't know what's the matter with you, " Lily said to herlover. 

"We have been over fifteen miles of ground, and--"

"I never knew anything so lackadaisical as you gentlemen from London. Been over fifteen miles of ground! Why, Uncle Christopher would thinknothing of that. "

"Uncle Christopher is made of sterner stuff than we are, " saidCrosbie. "They used to be born so sixty or seventy years ago. " Andthen they walked on through Gruddock's fields, and the home paddocks, back to the Great House, where they found the squire standing in thefront of the porch. 

The walk had not been so pleasant as they had all intended thatit should be when they made their arrangements for it. Crosbiehad endeavoured to recover his happy state of mind, but had beenunsuccessful; and Lily, fancying that her lover was not all that heshould be, had become reserved and silent. Bernard and Bell had notshared this discomfiture, but then Bernard and Bell were, as a rule, much more given to silence than the other two. 

"Uncle, " said Lily, "these men have shot nothing, and you cannotconceive how unhappy they are in consequence. It's all the fault ofthe naughty partridges. "

"There are plenty of partridges if they knew how to get them, " saidthe squire. 

"The dogs are uncommonly wild, " said Crosbie. 

"They are not wild with me, " said the squire; "nor yet with Dingles. "Dingles was the squire's gamekeeper. "The fact is, you young men, nowadays, expect to have dogs trained to do all the work for you. It's too much labour for you to walk up to your game. You'll be latefor dinner, girls, if you don't look sharp. "

"We're not coming up this evening, sir, " said Bell. 

"And why not?"

"We're going to stay with mamma. "

"And why will not your mother come with you? I'll be whipped if Ican understand it. One would have thought that under the presentcircumstances she would have been glad to see you all as muchtogether as possible. "

"We're together quite enough, " said Lily. "And as for mamma, Isuppose she thinks--" And then she stopped herself, catching theglance of Bell's imploring eye. She was going to make some indignantexcuse for her mother, some excuse which would be calculated to makeher uncle angry. It was her practice to say such sharp words to him, and consequently he did not regard her as warmly as her more silentand more prudent sister. At the present moment he turned quicklyround and went into the house; and then, with a very few words offarewell, the two young men followed him. The girls went back overthe little bridge by themselves, feeling that the afternoon had notgone off altogether well. 

"You shouldn't provoke him, Lily, " said Bell. 

"And he shouldn't say those things about mamma. It seems to me thatyou don't mind what he says. "

"Oh, Lily. "

"No more you do. He makes me so angry that I cannot hold my tongue. He thinks that because all the place is his, he is to say just whathe likes. Why should mamma go up there to please his humours?"

"You may be sure that mamma will do what she thinks best. She isstronger-minded than Uncle Christopher, and does not want any one tohelp her. But, Lily, you shouldn't speak as though I were carelessabout mamma. You didn't mean that, I know. "

"Of course I didn't. " Then the two girls joined their mother in theirown little domain; but we will return to the men at the Great House. 

Crosbie, when he went up to dress for dinner, fell into one of thosemelancholy fits of which I have spoken. Was he absolutely about todestroy all the good that he had done for himself throughout the pastyears of his hitherto successful life? or rather, as he at last putthe question to himself more strongly, --was it not the case thathe had already destroyed all that success? His marriage with Lily, whether it was to be for good or bad, was now a settled thing, andwas not regarded as a matter admitting of any doubt. To do the manjustice, I must declare that in all these moments of misery he stilldid the best he could to think of Lily herself as of a great treasurewhich he had won, --as of a treasure which should, and perhaps would, compensate him for his misery. But there was the misery very plain. He must give up his clubs, and his fashion, and all that he hadhitherto gained, and be content to live a plain, humdrum, domesticlife, with eight hundred a year, and a small house, full of babies. It was not the kind of Elysium for which he had tutored himself. Lilywas very nice, very nice indeed. She was, as he said to himself, "byodds, the nicest girl that he had ever seen. " Whatever might now turnup, her happiness should be his first care. But as for his own, --hebegan to fear that the compensation would hardly be perfect. "Itis my own doing, " he said to himself, intending to be rather noblein the purport of his soliloquy, "I have trained myself for otherthings, --very foolishly. Of course I must suffer, --suffer damnably. But she shall never know it. Dear, sweet, innocent, pretty littlething!" And then he went on about the squire, as to whom he felthimself entitled to be indignant by his own disinterested and manlyline of conduct towards the niece. "But I will let him know what Ithink about it, " he said. "It's all very well for Dale to say that Ihave been treated fairly. It isn't fair for a man to put forward hisniece under false pretences. Of course I thought that he intended toprovide for her. " And then, having made up his mind in a very manlyway that he would not desert Lily altogether after having promisedto marry her, he endeavoured to find consolation in the reflectionthat he might, at any rate, allow himself two years' more run as abachelor in London. Girls who have to get themselves married withoutfortunes always know that they will have to wait. Indeed, Lily hadalready told him, that as far as she was concerned, she was inno hurry. He need not, therefore, at once withdraw his name fromSebright's. Thus he endeavoured to console himself, still, however, resolving that he would have a little serious conversation with thesquire that very evening as to Lily's fortune. 

And what was the state of Lily's mind at the same moment, while she, also, was performing some slight toilet changes preparatory to theirsimple dinner at the Small House?

"I didn't behave well to him, " she said to herself; "I never do. Iforget how much he is giving up for me; and then, when anythingannoys him, I make it worse instead of comforting him. " And upon thatshe made accusation against herself that she did not love him halfenough, --that she did not let him see how thoroughly and perfectlyshe loved him. She had an idea of her own, that as a girl shouldnever show any preference for a man till circumstances should havefully entitled him to such manifestation, so also should she make nodrawback on her love, but pour it forth for his benefit with all herstrength, when such circumstances had come to exist. But she was everfeeling that she was not acting up to her theory, now that the timefor such practice had come. She would unwittingly assume littlereserves, and make small pretences of indifference in spite of herown judgment. She had done so on this afternoon, and had left himwithout giving him her hand to press, without looking up into hisface with an assurance of love, and therefore she was angry withherself. "I know I shall teach him to hate me, " she said out loudto Bell. 

"That would be very sad, " said Bell; "but I don't see it. "

"If you were engaged to a man you would be much better to him. Youwould not say so much, but what you did say would be all affection. Iam always making horrid little speeches, for which I should like tocut out my tongue afterwards. "

"Whatever sort of speeches they are, I think that he likes them. "

"Does he? I'm not all so sure of that, Bell. Of course I don't expectthat he is to scold me, --not yet, that is. But I know by his eye whenhe is pleased and when he is displeased. "

And then they went down to their dinner. 

Up at the Great House the three gentlemen met together in apparentgood humour. Bernard Dale was a man of an equal temperament, whorarely allowed any feeling, or even any annoyance, to interferewith his usual manner, --a man who could always come to table witha smile, and meet either his friend or his enemy with a properlycivil greeting. Not that he was especially a false man. There wasnothing of deceit in his placidity of demeanour. It arose from trueequanimity; but it was the equanimity of a cold disposition ratherthan of one well ordered by discipline. The squire was aware thathe had been unreasonably petulant before dinner, and having takenhimself to task in his own way, now entered the dining-room with thecourteous greeting of a host. "I find that your bag was not so badafter all, " he said, "and I hope that your appetite is at least asgood as your bag. "

Crosbie smiled, and made himself pleasant, and said a few flatteringwords. A man who intends to take some very decided step in an hour ortwo generally contrives to bear himself in the meantime as though thetrifles of the world were quite sufficient for him. So he praised thesquire's game; said a good-natured word as to Dingles, and banteredhimself as to his own want of skill. Then all went merry, not quiteas a marriage bell; but still merry enough for a party of threegentlemen. 

But Crosbie's resolution was fixed; and as soon, therefore, as theold butler was permanently gone, and the wine steadily in transitupon the table, he began his task, not without some apparentabruptness. Having fully considered the matter, he had determinedthat he would not wait for Bernard Dale's absence. He thoughtit possible that he might be able to fight his battle better inBernard's presence than he should do behind his back. 

"Squire, " he began. They all called him squire when they were on goodterms together, and Crosbie thought it well to begin as though therewas nothing amiss between them. "Squire, of course I am thinking agood deal at the present moment as to my intended marriage. "

"That's natural enough, " said the squire. 

"Yes, by George! sir, a man doesn't make a change like that withoutfinding that he has got something to think of. "

"I suppose not, " said the squire. "I never was in the way of gettingmarried myself, but I can easily understand that. "

"I've been the luckiest fellow in the world in finding such a girl asyour niece--" Whereupon the squire bowed, intending to make a littlecourteous declaration that the luck in the matter was on the sideof the Dales. "I know that, " continued Crosbie. "She is exactlyeverything that a girl ought to be. "

"She is a good girl, " said Bernard. 

"Yes; I think she is, " said the squire. 

"But it seems to me, " said Crosbie, finding that it was necessary todash at once headlong into the water, "that something ought to besaid as to my means of supporting her properly. "

Then he paused for a moment, expecting that the squire would speak. But the squire sat perfectly still, looking intently at the emptyfireplace and saying nothing. "Of supporting her, " continued Crosbie, "with all those comforts to which she has been accustomed. "

"She has never been used to expense, " said the squire. "Her mother, as you doubtless know, is not a rich woman. "

"But living here, Lily has had great advantages, --a horse to ride, and all that sort of thing. "

"I don't suppose she expects a horse in the park, " said the squire, with a very perceptible touch of sarcasm in his voice. 

"I hope not, " said Crosbie. 

"I believe she has had the use of one of the ponies here sometimes, but I hope that has not made her extravagant in her ideas. I did notthink that there was anything of that nonsense about either of them. "

"Nor is there, --as far as I know. "

"Nothing of the sort, " said Bernard. 

"But the long and the short of it is this, sir!" and Crosbie, as hespoke, endeavoured to maintain his ordinary voice and usual coolness, but his heightened colour betrayed that he was nervous. "Am I toexpect any accession of income with my wife?"

"I have not spoken to my sister-in-law on the subject, " said thesquire; "but I should fear that she cannot do much. "

"As a matter of course, I would not take a shilling from her, " saidCrosbie. 

"Then that settles it, " said the squire. 

Crosbie paused a moment, during which his colour became very red. Heunconsciously took up an apricot and ate it, and then he spoke out. "Of course I was not alluding to Mrs Dale's income; I would not, onany account, disturb her arrangements. But I wished to learn, sir, whether you intend to do anything for your niece. "

"In the way of giving her a fortune? Nothing at all. I intend to donothing at all. "

"Then I suppose we understand each other, --at last, " said Crosbie. 

"I should have thought that we might have understood each other atfirst, " said the squire. "Did I ever make you any promise, or giveyou any hint that I intended to provide for my niece? Have I everheld out to you any such hope? I don't know what you mean by thatword 'at last'--unless it be to give offence. "

"I meant the truth, sir;--I meant this--that seeing the manner inwhich your nieces lived with you, I thought it probable that youwould treat them both as though they were your daughters. Now I findout my mistake;--that is all!"

"You have been mistaken, --and without a shadow of excuse for yourmistake. "

"Others have been mistaken with me, " said Crosbie, forgetting, on thespur of the moment, that he had no right to drag the opinion of anyother person into the question. 

"What others?" said the squire, with anger; and his mind immediatelybetook itself to his sister-in-law. 

"I do not want to make any mischief, " said Crosbie. 

"If anybody connected with my family has presumed to tell you thatI intended to do more for my niece Lilian than I have already done, such person has not only been false, but ungrateful. I have given tono one any authority to make any promise on behalf of my niece. "

"No such promise has been made. It was only a suggestion, " saidCrosbie. 

He was not in the least aware to whom the squire was alluding in hisanger; but he perceived that his host was angry, and having alreadyreflected that he should not have alluded to the words which BernardDale had spoken in his friendship, he resolved to name no one. Bernard, as he sat by listening, knew exactly how the matter stood;but, as he thought, there could be no reason why he should subjecthimself to his uncle's ill-will, seeing that he had committed no sin. 

"No such suggestion should have been made, " said the squire. "No onehas had a right to make such a suggestion. No one has been placed byme in a position to make such a suggestion to you without manifestimpropriety. I will ask no further questions about it; but it isquite as well that you should understand at once that I do notconsider it to be my duty to give my niece Lilian a fortune on hermarriage. I trust that your offer to her was not made under any suchdelusion. "

"No, sir; it was not, " said Crosbie. 

"Then I suppose that no great harm has been done. I am sorry if falsehopes have been given to you; but I am sure you will acknowledge thatthey were not given to you by me. "

"I think you have misunderstood me, sir. My hopes were never veryhigh; but I thought it right to ascertain your intentions. "

"Now you know them. I trust, for the girl's sake, that it will makeno difference to her. I can hardly believe that she has been to blamein the matter. "

Crosbie hastened at once to exculpate Lily; and then, with moreawkward blunders than a man should have made who was so wellacquainted with fashionable life as the Apollo of the Beaufort, heproceeded to explain that, as Lily was to have nothing, his ownpecuniary arrangements would necessitate some little delay in theirmarriage. 

"As far as I myself am concerned, " said the squire, "I do not likelong engagements. But I am quite aware that in this matter I have noright to interfere, unless, indeed--" and then he stopped himself. 

"I suppose it will be well to fix some day; eh, Crosbie?" saidBernard. 

"I will discuss that matter with Mrs Dale, " said Crosbie. 

"If you and she understand each other, " said the squire, "that willbe sufficient. Shall we go into the drawing-room now, or out upon thelawn?"

That evening, as Crosbie went to bed, he felt that he had not gainedthe victory in his encounter with the squire. 

CHAPTER VIII

It Cannot Be

On the following morning at breakfast each of the three gentlemen atthe Great House received a little note on pink paper, nominally fromMrs Dale, asking them to drink tea at the Small House on that dayweek. At the bottom of the note which Lily had written for Mr Crosbiewas added: "Dancing on the lawn, if we can get anybody to stand up. Of course you must come, whether you like it or not. And Bernardalso. Do your possible to talk my uncle into coming. " And this notedid something towards re-creating good-humour among them at thebreakfast-table. It was shown to the squire, and at last he wasbrought to say that he would perhaps go to Mrs Dale's littleevening-party. 

It may be well to explain that this promised entertainment had beenoriginated with no special view to the pleasure of Mr Crosbie, butaltogether on behalf of poor Johnny Eames. What was to be done inthat matter? This question had been fully discussed between Mrs Daleand Bell, and they had come to the conclusion that it would best toask Johnny over to a little friendly gathering, in which he might beable to meet Lily with some strangers around them. In this way hisembarrassment might be overcome. It would never do, as Mrs Dale said, that he should be suffered to stay away, unnoticed by them. "Whenthe ice is once broken he won't mind it, " said Bell. And, therefore, early in the day, a messenger was sent over to Guestwick, whoreturned with a note from Mrs Eames, saying that she would come onthe evening in question, with her son and daughter. They would keepthe fly and get back to Guestwick the same evening. This was added, as an offer had been made of beds for Mrs Eames and Mary. 

Before the evening of the party another memorable occurrence hadtaken place at Allington, which must be described, in order that thefeelings of the different people on that evening may be understood. The squire had given his nephew to understand that he wished to havethat matter settled as to his niece Bell; and as Bernard's views werealtogether in accordance with the squire's, he resolved to complywith his uncle's wishes. The project with him was not a new thing. Hedid love his cousin quite sufficiently for purposes of matrimony, andwas minded that it would be a good thing for him to marry. He couldnot marry without money, but this marriage would give him an incomewithout the trouble of intricate settlements, or the interference oflawyers hostile to his own interests. It was possible that he mightdo better; but then it was possible also that he might do much worse;and, in addition to this, he was fond of his cousin. He discussed thematter within himself, very calmly; made some excellent resolutionsas to the kind of life which it would behove him to live as a marriedman; settled on the street in London in which he would have hishouse, and behaved very prettily to Bell for four or five daysrunning. That he did not make love to her, in the ordinary sense ofthe word, must, I suppose, be taken for granted, seeing that Bellherself did not recognise the fact. She had always liked her cousin, and thought that in these days he was making himself particularlyagreeable. 

On the evening before the party the girls were at the Great House, having come up nominally with the intention of discussing theexpediency of dancing on the lawn. Lily had made up her mind that itwas to be so, but Bell had objected that it would be cold and damp, and that the drawing-room would be nicer for dancing. 

"You see we've only got four young gentlemen and one ungrown, " saidLily; "and they will look so stupid standing up all properly in aroom, as though we had a regular party. "

"Thank you for the compliment, " said Crosbie, taking off his strawhat. 

"So you will; and we girls will look more stupid still. But out onthe lawn it won't look stupid at all. Two or three might stand up onthe lawn, and it would be jolly enough. "

"I don't quite see it, " said Bernard. 

"Yes, I think I see it, " said Crosbie. "The unadaptability of thelawn for the purpose of a ball--"

"Nobody is thinking of a ball, " said Lily, with mock petulance. 

"I'm defending you, and yet you won't let me speak. Theunadaptability of the lawn for the purpose of a ball will conceal theinsufficiency of four men and a boy as a supply of male dancers. But, Lily, who is the ungrown gentleman? Is it your old friend JohnnyEames?"

Lily's voice became sobered as she answered him. 

"Oh, no; I did not mean Mr Eames. He is coming, but I did not meanhim. Dick Boyce, Mr Boyce's son, is only sixteen. He is the ungrowngentleman. "

"And who is the fourth adult?"

"Dr Crofts, from Guestwick. I do hope you will like him, Adolphus. Wethink he is the very perfection of a man. "

"Then of course I shall hate him; and be very jealous, too!"

And then that pair went off together, fighting their own littlebattle on that head, as turtle-doves will sometimes do. They wentoff, and Bernard was left with Bell standing together over the ha-hafence which divides the garden at the back of the house from thefield. 

"Bell, " he said, "they seem very happy, don't they?"

"And they ought to be happy now, oughtn't they? Dear Lily! I hope hewill be good to her. Do you know, Bernard, though he is your friend, I am very, very anxious about it. It is such a vast trust to put in aman when we do not quite know him. "

"Yes, it is; but they'll do very well together. Lily will be happyenough. "

"And he?"

"I suppose he'll be happy, too. He'll feel himself a littlestraightened as to income at first, but that will all come round. "

"If he is not, she will be wretched. "

"They will do very well. Lily must be prepared to make the money goas far as she can, that's all. "

"Lily won't feel the want of money. It is not that. But if he letsher know that she has made him a poor man, then she will be unhappy. Is he extravagant, Bernard?"

But Bernard was anxious to discuss another subject, and thereforewould not speak such words of wisdom as to Lily's engagement as mighthave been expected from him had he been in a different frame of mind. 

"No, I should say not, " said he. "But, Bell--"

"I do not know that we could have acted otherwise than we have done, and yet I fear that we have been rash. If he makes her unhappy, Bernard, I shall never forgive you. "

But as she said this she put her hand lovingly upon his arm, as acousin might do, and spoke in a tone which divested her threat of itsacerbity. 

"You must not quarrel with me, Bell, whatever may happen. I cannotafford to quarrel with you. "

"Of course I was not in earnest as to that. "

"You and I must never quarrel, Bell; at least, I hope not. I couldbear to quarrel with any one rather than with you. " And then, as hespoke, there was something in his voice which gave the girl someslight, indistinct warning of what might be his intention. Not thatshe said to herself at once, that he was going to make her an offerof his hand, --now, on the spot; but she felt that he intendedsomething beyond the tenderness of ordinary cousinly affection. 

"I hope we shall never quarrel, " she said. But as she spoke, hermind was settling itself, --forming its resolution, and coming toa conclusion as to the sort of love which Bernard might, perhaps, expect. And it formed another conclusion; as to the sort of lovewhich might be given in return. 

"Bell, " he said, "you and I have always been dear friends. "

"Yes; always. "

"Why should we not be something more than friends?"

To give Captain Dale his due I must declare that his voice wasperfectly natural as he asked this question, and that he showed nosigns of nervousness, either in his face or limbs. He had made up hismind to do it on that occasion, and he did it without any signs ofoutward disturbance. He asked his question, and then he waited forhis answer. In this he was rather hard upon his cousin; for, thoughthe question had certainly been asked in language that could not bemistaken, still the matter had not been put forward with all thatfullness which a young lady, under such circumstances, has a right toexpect. 

They had sat down on the turf close to the ha-ha, and they were sonear that Bernard was able to put out his hand with the view oftaking that of his cousin within his own. But she contrived to keepher hands locked together, so that he merely held her gently by thewrist. 

"I don't quite understand, Bernard, " she said, after a minute'spause. 

"Shall we be more than cousins? Shall we be man and wife?"

Now, at least, she could not say that she did not understand. If thequestion was ever asked plainly, Bernard Dale had asked it plainly. Shall we be man and wife? Few men, I fancy, dare to put it all atonce in so abrupt a way, and yet I do not know that the Englishlanguage affords any better terms for the question. 

"Oh, Bernard! you have surprised me. "

"I hope I have not pained you, Bell. I have been long thinking ofthis, but I am well aware that my own manner, even to you, has notbeen that of a lover. It is not in me to smile and say soft things, as Crosbie can. But I do not love you the less on that account. Ihave looked about for a wife, and I have thought that if I could gainyou I should be very fortunate. "

He did not then say anything about his uncle, and the eight hundred ayear; but he fully intended to do so as soon as an opportunity shouldserve. He was quite of opinion that eight hundred a year and thegood-will of a rich uncle were strong ground for matrimony, --weregrounds even for love; and he did not doubt but his cousin would seethe matter in the same light. 

"You are very good to me--more than good. Of course I know that. But, oh, Bernard I did not expect this a bit. "

"But you will answer me, Bell! Or if you would like time to think, orto speak to my aunt, perhaps you will answer me to-morrow?"

"I think I ought to answer you now. "

"Not if it be a refusal, Bell. Think well of it before you do that. I should have told you that our uncle wishes this match, and that hewill remove any difficulty there might be about money. "

"I do not care for money. "

"But, as you were saying about Lily, one has to be prudent. Now, inour marriage, everything of that kind would be well arranged. Myuncle has promised me that he would at once allow us--"

"Stop, Bernard. You must not be led to suppose that any offer made bymy uncle would help to purchase-- Indeed, there can be no need for usto talk about money. "

"I wished to let you know the facts of the case, exactly as they are. And as to our uncle, I cannot but think that you would be glad, insuch a matter, to have him on your side. "

"Yes, I should be glad to have him on my side; that is, if I weregoing-- But my uncle's wishes could not influence my decision. Thefact is, Bernard--"

"Well, dearest, what is the fact?"

"I have always regarded you rather as a brother than as anythingelse. "

"But that regard may be changed. "

"No; I think not. Bernard, I will go further and speak on at once. It cannot be changed. I know myself well enough to say that withcertainty. It cannot be changed. "

"You mean that you cannot love me?"

"Not as you would have me do. I do love you very dearly, very dearly, indeed. I would go to you in any trouble, exactly as I would go to abrother. "

"And must that be all, Bell?"

"Is not that all the sweetest love that can be felt? But you mustnot think me ungrateful, or proud. I know well that you are--areproposing to do for me much more than I deserve. Any girl might beproud of such an offer. But, dear Bernard--"

"Bell, before you give me a final answer, sleep upon this and talkit over with your mother. Of course you were unprepared, and Icannot expect that you should promise me so much without a moment'sconsideration. "

"I was unprepared, and therefore I have not answered you as I shouldhave done. But as it has gone so far, I cannot let you leave me inuncertainty. It is not necessary that I should keep you waiting. Inthis matter I do know my own mind. Dear Bernard, indeed it cannot beas you have proposed. "

She spoke in a low voice, and in a tone that had in it something ofalmost imploring humility; but, nevertheless, it conveyed to hercousin an assurance that she was in earnest; an assurance also thatthat earnest would not readily be changed. Was she not a Dale? Andwhen did a Dale change his mind? For a while he sat silent by her;and she too, having declared her intention, refrained from furtherwords. For some minutes they thus remained, looking down into theha-ha. She still kept her old position, holding her hands claspedtogether over her knees; but he was now lying on his side, supportinghis head upon his arm, with his face indeed turned towards her, butwith his eyes fixed upon the grass. During this time, however, he wasnot idle. His cousin's answer, though it had grieved him, had notcome upon him as a blow stunning him for a moment, and rendering himunfit for instant thought. He was grieved, more grieved than he hadthought he would have been. The thing that he had wanted moderately, he now wanted the more in that it was denied to him. But he was ableto perceive the exact truth of his position, and to calculate whatmight be his chances if he went on with his suit, and what hisadvantage if he at once abandoned it. 

"I do not wish to press you unfairly, Bell; but may I ask if anyother preference--"

"There is no other preference, " she answered. And then again theywere silent for a minute or two. 

"My uncle will be much grieved at this, " he said at last. 

"If that be all, " said Bell, "I do not think that we need either ofus trouble ourselves. He can have no right to dispose of our hearts. "

"I understand the taunt, Bell. "

"Dear Bernard, there was no taunt. I intended none. "

"I need not speak of my own grief. You cannot but know how deep itmust be. Why should I have submitted myself to this mortification hadnot my heart been concerned? But that I will bear, if I must bearit--" And then he paused, looking up at her. 

"It will soon pass away, " she said. 

"I will accept it at any rate without complaint. But as to my uncle'sfeelings, it is open to me to speak, and to you, I should think, tolisten without indifference. He has been kind to us both, and lovesus two above any other living beings. It's not surprising that heshould wish to see us married, and it will not be surprising if yourrefusal should be a great blow to him. "

"I shall be sorry--very sorry. "

"I also shall be sorry. I am now speaking of him. He has set hisheart upon it; and as he has but few wishes, few desires, so is hethe more constant in those which he expresses. When he knows this, Ifear that we shall find him very stern. "

"Then he will be unjust. "

"No; he will not be unjust. He is always a just man. But he will beunhappy, and will, I fear, make others unhappy. Dear Bell, may notthis thing remain for a while unsettled? You will not find thatI take advantage of your goodness. I will not intrude it on youagain, --say for a fortnight, --or till Crosbie shall be gone. "

"No, no, no, " said Bell. 

"Why are you so eager in your noes? There can be no danger in suchdelay. I will not press you, --and you can let my uncle think that youhave at least taken time for consideration. "

"There are things as to which one is bound to answer at once. IfI doubted myself, I would let you persuade me. But I do not doubtmyself, and I should be wrong to keep you in suspense. Dear, dearestBernard, it cannot be; and as it cannot he, you, as my brother, wouldbid me say so clearly. It cannot be. "

As she made this last assurance, they heard the steps of Lily and herlover close to them, and they both felt that it would be well thattheir intercourse should thus be brought to a close. Neither hadknown how to get up and leave the place, and yet each had felt thatnothing further could then be said. 

"Did you ever see anything so sweet and affectionate and romantic?"said Lily, standing over them and looking at them. "And all thewhile we have been so practical and worldly. Do you know, Bell, thatAdolphus seems to think we can't very well keep pigs in London. Itmakes me so unhappy. "

"It does seem a pity, " said Crosbie, "for Lily seems to know allabout pigs. "

"Of course I do. I haven't lived in the country all my life fornothing. Oh, Bernard, I should so like to see you rolled down intothe bottom of the ha-ha. Just remain there, and we'll do it betweenus. "

Whereupon Bernard got up, as did Bell also, and they all went in totea. 

CHAPTER IX

Mrs Dale's Little Party

The next day was the day of the party. Not a word more was said onthat evening between Bell and her cousin, at least, not a word moreof any peculiar note; and when Crosbie suggested to his friend on thefollowing morning that they should both step down and see how thepreparations were getting on at the Small House, Bernard declined. 

"You forget, my dear fellow, that I'm not in love as you are, " saidhe. 

"But I thought you were, " said Crosbie. 

"No; not at all as you are. You are an accepted lover, and will beallowed to do anything, --whip the creams, and tune the piano, if youknow how. I'm only a half sort of lover, meditating a _mariage deconvenance_ to oblige an uncle, and by no means required by theterms of my agreement to undergo a very rigid amount of drill. Yourposition is just the reverse. " In saying all which Captain Dale wasno doubt very false; but if falseness can be forgiven to a man in anyposition, it may be forgiven in that which he then filled. So Crosbiewent down to the Small House alone. 

"Dale wouldn't come, " said he, speaking to the three ladies together, "I suppose he's keeping himself up for the dance on the lawn. "

"I hope he will be here in the evening, " said Mrs Dale. But Bellsaid never a word. She had determined, that under the existingcircumstances, it would be only fair to her cousin that his offerand her answer to it should be kept secret. She knew why Bernarddid not come across from the Great House with his friend, but shesaid nothing of her knowledge. Lily looked at her, but lookedwithout speaking; and as for Mrs Dale, she took no notice of thecircumstance. Thus they passed the afternoon together without furthermention of Bernard Dale; and it may be said, at any rate of Lily andCrosbie, that his presence was not missed. 

Mrs Eames, with her son and daughter, were the first to come. "It isso nice of you to come early, " said Lily, trying on the spur of themoment to say something which should sound pleasant and happy, but intruth using that form of welcome which to my ears sounds always themost ungracious. "Ten minutes before the time named; and, of course, you must have understood that I meant thirty minutes after it!" Thatis my interpretation of the words when I am thanked for coming early. But Mrs Eames was a kind, patient, unexacting woman, who took allcivil words as meaning civility. And, indeed, Lily had meant nothingelse. 

"Yes; we did come early, " said Mrs Eames, "because Mary thought shewould like to go up into the girls' room and just settle her hair, you know. "

"So she shall, " said Lily, who had taken Mary by the hand. 

"And we knew we shouldn't be in the way. Johnny can go out into thegarden if there's anything left to be done. "

"He shan't be banished unless he likes it, " said Mrs Dale. "If hefinds us women too much for his unaided strength--"

John Eames muttered something about being very well as he was, andthen got himself into an arm-chair. He had shaken hands with Lily, trying as he did so to pronounce articulately a little speech whichhe had prepared for the occasion. "I have to congratulate you, Lily, and I hope with all my heart that you will be happy. " The words weresimple enough, and were not ill-chosen, but the poor young man nevergot them spoken. The word "congratulate" did reach Lily's ears, andshe understood it all;--both the kindness of the intended speech andthe reason why it could not be spoken. 

"Thank you, John, " she said; "I hope I shall see so much of you inLondon. It will be so nice to have an old Guestwick friend near me. "She had her own voice, and the pulses of her heart better undercommand than had he; but she also felt that the occasion was tryingto her. The man had loved her honestly and truly, --still did loveher, paying her the great homage of bitter grief in that he had losther. Where is the girl who will not sympathise with such love andsuch grief, if it be shown only because it cannot be concealed, andbe declared against the will of him who declares it?

Then came in old Mrs Hearn, whose cottage was not distant twominutes' walk from the Small House. She always called Mrs Dale "mydear, " and petted the girls as though they had been children. Whentold of Lily's marriage, she had thrown up her hands with surprise, for she had still left in some corner of her drawers remnants ofsugar-plums which she had bought for Lily. "A London man, is he?Well, well. I wish he lived in the country. Eight hundred a year, mydear?" she had said to Mrs Dale. "That sounds nice down here, becausewe are all so poor. But I suppose eight hundred a year isn't verymuch up in London?"

"The squire's coming, I suppose, isn't he?" said Mrs Hearn, as sheseated herself on the sofa close to Mrs Dale. 

"Yes, he'll be here by-and-by; unless he changes his mind, you know. He doesn't stand on ceremony with me. "

"He change his mind! When did you ever know Christopher Dale changehis mind?"

"He is pretty constant, Mrs Hearn. "

"If he promised to give a man a penny, he'd give it. But if hepromised to take away a pound, he'd take it, though it cost him yearsto get it. He's going to turn me out of my cottage, he says. "

"Nonsense, Mrs Hearn!"

"Jolliffe came and told me"--Jolliffe, I should explain, was thebailiff, --"that if I didn't like it as it was, I might leave it, andthat the squire could get double the rent for it. Now all I asked wasthat he should do a little painting in the kitchen; and the wood isall as black as his hat. "

"I thought it was understood you were to paint inside. "

"How can I do it, my dear, with a hundred and forty pounds foreverything? I must live, you know! And he that has workmen about himevery day of the year! And was that a message to send to me, whohave lived in the parish for fifty years? Here he is. " And Mrs Hearnmajestically raised herself from her seat as the squire entered theroom. 

With him entered Mr and Mrs Boyce, from the parsonage, with DickBoyce, the ungrown gentleman, and two girl Boyces, who were fourteenand fifteen years of age. Mrs Dale, with the amount of good-natureusual on such occasions, asked reproachfully why Jane, and Charles, and Florence, and Bessy, did not come, --Boyce being a man who hadhis quiver full of them, --and Mrs Boyce, giving the usual answer, declared that she already felt that they had come as an avalanche. 

"But where are the--the--the young men?" asked Lily, assuming a lookof mock astonishment. 

"They'll be across in two or three hours' time, " said the squire. "They both dressed for dinner, and, as I thought, made themselvesvery smart; but for such a grand occasion as this they thought asecond dressing necessary. How do you do, Mrs Hearn? I hope you arequite well. No rheumatism left, eh?" This the squire said very loudinto Mrs Hearn's ear. Mrs Hearn was perhaps a little hard of hearing;but it was very little, and she hated to be thought deaf. She didnot, moreover, like to be thought rheumatic. This the squire knew, and therefore his mode of address was not good-natured. 

"You needn't make me jump so, Mr Dale. I'm pretty well now, thank ye. I did have a twinge in the spring, --that cottage is so badly builtfor draughts! 'I wonder you can live in it, ' my sister said to me thelast time she was over. I suppose I should be better off over withher at Hamersham, only one doesn't like to move, you know, afterliving fifty years in one parish. "

"You mustn't think of going away from us, " Mrs Boyce said, speakingby no means loud, but slowly and plainly, hoping thereby to flatterthe old woman. But the old woman understood it all. "She's a slycreature, is Mrs Boyce, " Mrs Hearn said to Mrs Dale, before theevening was out. There are some old people whom it is very hard toflatter, and with whom it is, nevertheless, almost impossible to liveunless you do flatter them. 

At last the two heroes came in across the lawn at the drawing-roomwindow; and Lily, as they entered, dropped a low curtsey before them, gently swelling down upon the ground with her light muslin dress, till she looked like some wondrous flower that had bloomed upon thecarpet, and putting her two hands, with the backs of her fingerspressed together, on the buckle of her girdle, she said, "We arewaiting upon your honours' kind grace, and feel how much we owe toyou for favouring our poor abode. " And then she gently rose up again, smiling, oh, so sweetly, on the man she loved, and the puffings andswellings went out of her muslin. 

I think there is nothing in the world so pretty as the consciouslittle tricks of love played off by a girl towards the man she loves, when she has made up her mind boldly that all the world may know thatshe has given herself away to him. 

I am not sure that Crosbie liked it all as much as he should havedone. The bold assurance of her love when they two were alonetogether he did like. What man does not like such assurances on suchoccasions? But perhaps he would have been better pleased had Lilyshown more reticence, --been more secret, as it were, as to herfeelings, when others were around them. It was not that he accusedher in his thoughts of any want of delicacy. He read her charactertoo well; was, if not quite aright in his reading of it, at least toonearly so to admit of his making against her any such accusation asthat. It was the calf-like feeling that was disagreeable to him. Hedid not like to be presented, even to the world of Allington, as avictim caught for the sacrifice, and bound with ribbon for the altar. And then there lurked behind it all a feeling that it might be saferthat the thing should not be so openly manifested before all theworld. Of course, everybody knew that he was engaged to Lily Dale;nor had he, as he said to himself, perhaps too frequently, theslightest idea of breaking from that engagement. But then themarriage might possibly be delayed. He had not discussed that matteryet with Lily, having, indeed, at the first moment of his gratifiedlove, created some little difficulty for himself by pressing for anearly day. "I will refuse you nothing, " she had said to him; "butdo not make it too soon. " He saw, therefore, before him some littleembarrassment, and was inclined to wish that Lily would abstain fromthat manner which seemed to declare to all the world that she wasabout to be married immediately. "I must speak to her to-morrow, " hesaid to himself, as he accepted her salute with a mock gravity equalto her own. 

Poor Lily! How little she understood as yet what was passing throughhis mind. Had she known his wish she would have wrapped up her lovecarefully in a napkin, so that no one should have seen it, --no onebut he, when he might choose to have the treasure uncovered for hissight. And it was all for his sake that she had been thus open in herways. She had seen girls who were half ashamed of their love; but shewould never be ashamed of hers or of him. She had given herself tohim; and now all the world might know it, if all the world caredfor such knowledge. Why should she be ashamed of that which, to herthinking, was so great an honour to her? She had heard of girls whowould not speak of their love, arguing to themselves cannily thatthere may be many a slip between the cup and the lip. There could beno need of any such caution with her. There could surely be no suchslip! Should there be such a fall, --should any such fate, either byfalseness or misfortune, come upon her, --no such caution could be ofservice to save her. The cup would have been so shattered in its fallthat no further piecing of its parts would be in any way possible. Somuch as this she did not exactly say to herself; but she felt it all, and went bravely forward, --bold in her love, and careful to hide itfrom none who chanced to see it. 

They had gone through the ceremony with the cake and teacups, and haddecided that, at any rate, the first dance or two should be held uponthe lawn when the last of the guests arrived. 

"Oh, Adolphus, I am so glad he has come, " said Lily. "Do try to likehim. " Of Dr Crofts, who was the new comer, she had sometimes spokento her lover, but she had never coupled her sister's name with thatof the doctor, even in speaking to him. Nevertheless, Crosbie had insome way conceived the idea that this Crofts either had been, or was, or was to be, in love with Bell; and as he was prepared to advocatehis friend Dale's claims in that quarter, he was not particularlyanxious to welcome the doctor as a thoroughly intimate friend of thefamily. He knew nothing as yet of Dale's offer, or of Bell's refusal, but he was prepared for war, if war should be necessary. Of thesquire, at the present moment, he was not very fond; but if hisdestiny intended to give him a wife out of this family, he shouldprefer the owner of Allington and nephew of Lord De Guest as abrother-in-law to a village doctor, --as he took upon himself, in hispride, to call Dr Crofts. 

"It is very unfortunate, " said he, "but I never do like Paragons. "

"But you must like this Paragon. Not that he is a Paragon at all, forhe smokes and hunts, and does all manner of wicked things. " And thenshe went forward to welcome her friend. 

Dr Crofts was a slight, spare man, about five feet nine in height, with very bright dark eyes, a broad forehead, with dark hair thatalmost curled, but which did not come so forward over his brow as itshould have done for purposes of beauty, --with a thin well-cut nose, and a mouth that would have been perfect had the lips been a littlefuller. The lower part of his face, when seen alone, had in itsomewhat of sternness, which, however, was redeemed by the brightnessof his eyes. And yet an artist would have declared that the lowerfeatures of his face were by far the more handsome. 

Lily went across to him and greeted him heartily, declaring how gladshe was to have him there. "And I must introduce you to Mr Crosbie, "she said, as though she was determined to carry her point. The twomen shook hands with each other, coldly, without saying a word, asyoung men are apt to do when they are brought together in that way. Then they separated at once, somewhat to the disappointment of Lily. Crosbie stood off by himself, both his eyes turned up towards theceiling, and looking as though he meant to give himself airs; whileCrofts got himself quickly up to the fireplace, making civil littlespeeches to Mrs Dale, Mrs Boyce, and Mrs Hearn. And then at last hemade his way round to Bell. 

"I am so glad, " he said, "to congratulate you on your sister'sengagement. "

"Yes, " said Bell; "we knew that you would be glad to hear of herhappiness. "

"Indeed, I am glad; and thoroughly hope that she may be happy. Youall like him, do you not?"

"We like him very much. "

"And I am told that he is well off. He is a very fortunate man, --veryfortunate, --very fortunate. "

"Of course we think so, " said Bell. "Not, however, because he isrich. "

"No; not because he is rich. But because, being worthy of suchhappiness, his circumstances should enable him to marry, and to enjoyit. "

"Yes, exactly, " said Bell. "That is just it. " Then she sat down, andin sitting down put an end to the conversation. "That is just it, "she had said. But as soon as the words were spoken she declared toherself that it was not so, and that Crofts was wrong. "We love him, "she said to herself, "not because he is rich enough to marry withoutanxious thought, but because he dares to marry although he is notrich. " And then she told herself that she was angry with the doctor. 

After that Dr Crofts got off towards the door, and stood there byhimself, leaning against the wall, with the thumbs of both his handsstuck into the armholes of his waistcoat. People said that he was ashy man. I suppose he was shy, and yet he was a man that was by nomeans afraid of doing anything that he had to do. He could speakbefore a multitude without being abashed, whether it was a multitudeof men or of women. He could be very fixed too in his own opinion, and eager, if not violent, in the prosecution of his purpose. But hecould not stand and say little words, when he had in truth nothingto say. He could not keep his ground when he felt that he was notusing the ground upon which he stood. He had not learned the art ofassuming himself to be of importance in whatever place he might findhimself. It was this art which Crosbie had learned and by this artthat he had flourished. So Crofts retired and leaned against the wallnear the door; and Crosbie came forward and shone like an Apolloamong all the guests. "How is it that he does it?" said John Eames tohimself, envying the perfect happiness of the London man of fashion. 

At last Lily got the dancers out upon the lawn, and then they managedto go through one quadrille. But it was found that it did not answer. The music of the single fiddle which Crosbie had hired from Guestwickwas not sufficient for the purpose; and then the grass, though it wasperfect for purposes of croquet, was not pleasant to the feet fordancing. 

"This is very nice, " said Bernard to his cousin. "I don't knowanything that could be nicer; but perhaps--"

"I know what you mean, " said Lily. "But I shall stay here. There's notouch of romance about any of you. Look at the moon there at the backof the steeple. I don't mean to go in all night. " Then she walked offby one of the paths, and her lover went after her. 

"Don't you like the moon?" she said, as she took his arm, to whichshe was now so accustomed that she hardly thought of it as she tookit. 

"Like the moon?--well; I fancy I like the sun better. I don't quitebelieve in moonlight. I think it does best to talk about when onewants to be sentimental. "

"Ah; that is just what I fear. That is what I say to Bell when I tellher that her romance will fade as the roses do. And then I shall haveto learn that prose is more serviceable than poetry, and that themind is better than the heart, and--and that money is better thanlove. It's all coming, I know; and yet I do like the moonlight. "

"And the poetry, --and the love?"

"Yes. The poetry much, and the love more. To be loved by you issweeter even than any of my dreams, --is better than all the poetry Ihave read. "

"Dearest Lily, " and his unchecked arm stole round her waist. 

"It is the meaning of the moonlight, and the essence of the poetry, "continued the impassioned girl. "I did not know then why I liked suchthings, but now I know. It was because I longed to be loved. "

"And to love. "

"Oh, yes. I would be nothing without that. But that, you know, isyour delight, --or should be. The other is mine. And yet it is adelight to love you; to know that I may love you. "

"You mean that this is the realisation of your romance. "

"Yes; but it must not be the end of it, Adolphus. You must like thesoft twilight, and the long evenings when we shall be alone; and youmust read to me the books I love, and you must not teach me to thinkthat the world is hard, and dry, and cruel, --not yet. I tell Bell sovery often; but you must not say so to me. "

"It shall not be dry and cruel, if I can prevent it. "

"You understand what I mean, dearest. I will not think it dry andcruel, even though sorrow should come upon us, if you-- I think youknow what I mean. "

"If I am good to you. "

"I am not afraid of that;--I am not the least afraid of that. You donot think that I could ever distrust you? But you must not be ashamedto look at the moonlight, and to read poetry, and to--"

"To talk nonsense, you mean. "

But as he said it, he pressed her closer to his side, and his tonewas pleasant to her. 

"I suppose I'm talking nonsense now?" she said, pouting. "You likedme better when I was talking about the pigs; didn't you?"

"No; I like you best now. "

"And why didn't you like me then? Did I say anything to offend you?"

"I like you best now, because--"

They were standing in the narrow pathway of the gate leading from thebridge into the gardens of the Great House, and the shadow of thethick-spreading laurels was around them. But the moonlight stillpierced brightly through the little avenue, and she, as she looked upto him, could see the form of his face and the loving softness of hiseye. 

"Because--, " said he; and then he stooped over her and pressed herclosely, while she put up her lips to his, standing on tip-toe thatshe might reach to his face. 

"Oh, my love!" she said. "My love! my love!"

As Crosbie walked back to the Great House that night, he made a firmresolution that no consideration of worldly welfare should everinduce him to break his engagement with Lily Dale. He went somewhatfurther also, and determined that he would not put off the marriagefor more than six or eight months, or, at the most, ten, if he couldpossibly get his affairs arranged in that time. To be sure, he mustgive up everything, --all the aspirations and ambition of his life;but then, as he declared to himself somewhat mournfully, he wasprepared to do that. Such were his resolutions, and, as he thought ofthem in bed, he came to the conclusion that few men were less selfishthan he was. 

"But what will they say to us for staying away?" said Lily, recovering herself. "And I ought to be making the people dance, youknow. Come along, and do make yourself nice. Do waltz with MaryEames;--pray, do. If you don't, I won't speak to you all night!"

Acting under which threat, Crosbie did, on his return, solicit thehonour of that young lady's hand, thereby elating her into a seventhheaven of happiness. What could the world afford better than a waltzwith such a partner as Adolphus Crosbie? And poor Mary Eames couldwaltz well; though she could not talk much as she danced, and wouldpant a good deal when she stopped. She put too much of her energyinto the motion, and was too anxious to do the mechanical part of thework in a manner that should be satisfactory to her partner. "Oh!thank you;--it's very nice. I shall be able to go on again directly. "Her conversation with Crosbie did not get much beyond that, and yetshe felt that she had never done better than on this occasion. 

Though there were, at most, not above five couples of dancers, andthough they who did not dance, such as the squire and Mr Boyce, anda curate from a neighbouring parish, had, in fact, nothing to amusethem, the affair was kept on very merrily for a considerable numberof hours. Exactly at twelve o'clock there was a little supper, which, no doubt, served to relieve Mrs Hearn's _ennui_, and at which MrsBoyce also seemed to enjoy herself. As to the Mrs Boyces on suchoccasions, I profess that I feel no pity. They are generally happy intheir children's happiness, or if not, they ought to be. At any rate, they are simply performing a manifest duty, which duty, in theirtime, was performed on their behalf. But on what account do the MrsHearns betake themselves to such gatherings? Why did that ancientlady sit there hour after hour yawning, longing for her bed, lookingevery ten minutes at her watch, while her old bones were stiff andsore, and her old ears pained with the noise? It could hardly havebeen simply for the sake of the supper. After the supper, however, her maid took her across to her cottage, and Mrs Boyce also thenstole away home, and the squire went off with some little parade, suggesting to the young men that they should make no noise in thehouse as they returned. But the poor curate remained, talking a dullword every now and then to Mrs Dale, and looking on with tantalisedeyes at the joys which the world had prepared for others than him. Imust say that I think that public opinion and the bishops togetherare too hard upon curates in this particular. 

In the latter part of the night's delight, when time and practice hadmade them all happy together, John Eames stood up for the first timeto dance with Lily. She had done all she could, short of asking him, to induce him to do her this favour; for she felt that it would be afavour. How great had been the desire on his part to ask her, and, atthe same time, how great the repugnance, Lily, perhaps, did not quiteunderstand. And yet she understood much of it. She knew that he wasnot angry with her. She knew that he was suffering from the injuredpride of futile love, almost as much as from the futile love itself. She wished to put him at his ease in this; but she did not quite givehim credit for the full sincerity, and the upright, uncontrolledheartiness of his feelings. 

At length he did come up to her, and though, in truth, she wasengaged, she at once accepted his offer. Then she tripped across theroom. "Adolphus, " she said, "I can't dance with you, though I saidI would. John Eames has asked me, and I haven't stood up with himbefore. You understand, and you'll be a good boy, won't you?"

Crosbie, not being in the least jealous, was a good boy, and sathimself down to rest, hidden behind a door. 

For the first few minutes the conversation between Eames and Lily wasof a very matter-of-fact kind. She repeated her wish that she mightsee him in London, and he said that of course he should come andcall. Then there was silence for a little while, and they wentthrough their figure dancing. 

"I don't at all know yet when we are to be married, " said Lily, assoon as they were again standing together. 

"No; I dare say not, " said Eames. 

"But not this year, I suppose. Indeed, I should say, of course not. "

"In the spring, perhaps, " suggested Eames. He had an unconsciousdesire that it might be postponed to some Greek kalends, and yet hedid not wish to injure Lily. 

"The reason I mention it is this, that we should be so very glad ifyou could be here. We all love you so much, and I should so like tohave you here on that day. "

Why is it that girls so constantly do this, --so frequently ask menwho have loved them to be present at their marriages with othermen? There is no triumph in it. It is done in sheer kindness andaffection. They intend to offer something which shall soften andnot aggravate the sorrow that they have caused. "You can't marry meyourself, " the lady seems to say. "But the next greatest blessingwhich I can offer you shall be yours;--you shall see me married tosomebody else. " I fully appreciate the intention, but in honesttruth, I doubt the eligibility of the proffered entertainment. 

On the present occasion John Eames seemed to be of this opinion, forhe did not at once accept the invitation. 

"Will you not oblige me so far as that?" she said softly. 

"I would do anything to oblige you, " said he gruffly; "almostanything. "

"But not that?"

"No; not that. I could not do that. " Then he went off upon hisfigure, and when they were next both standing together, they remainedsilent till their turn for dancing had again come. Why was it, thatafter that night Lily thought more of John Eames than ever she hadthought before;--felt for him, I mean, a higher respect, as for a manwho had a will of his own?

And in that quadrille Crofts and Bell had been dancing together, andthey also had been talking of Lily's marriage. "A man may undergowhat he likes for himself, " he had said, "but he has no right to makea woman undergo poverty. "

"Perhaps not, " said Bell. 

"That which is no suffering for a man, --which no man should think offor himself, --will make a hell on earth for a woman. "

"I suppose it would, " said Bell, answering him without a sign offeeling in her face or voice. But she took in every word that hespoke, and disputed their truth inwardly with all the strength ofher heart and mind, and with the very vehemence of her soul. "As ifa woman cannot bear more than a man!" she said to herself, as shewalked the length of the room alone, when she had got herself freefrom the doctor's arm. 

CHAPTER X

Mrs Lupex and Amelia Roper

I should simply mislead a confiding reader if I were to tell him thatMrs Lupex was an amiable woman. Perhaps the fact that she was notamiable is the one great fault that should be laid to her charge;but that fault had spread itself so widely, and had cropped forth inso many different places of her life, like a strong rank plant thatwill show itself all over a garden, that it may almost be said thatit made her odious in every branch of life, and detestable aliketo those who knew her little and to those who knew her much. If asearcher could have got at the inside spirit of the woman, thatsearcher would have found that she wished to go right, --that she didmake, or at any rate promise to herself that she would make, certainstruggles to attain decency and propriety. But it was so natural toher to torment those whose misfortune brought them near to her, andespecially that wretched man who in an evil day had taken her to hisbosom as his wife, that decency fled from her, and propriety wouldnot live in her quarters. 

Mrs Lupex was, as I have already described her, a woman not withoutsome feminine attraction in the eyes of those who like morningnegligence and evening finery, and do not object to a long nosesomewhat on one side. She was clever in her way, and could say smartthings. She could flatter also, though her very flattery had alwaysin it something that was disagreeable. And she must have had somepower of will, as otherwise her husband would have escaped fromher before the days of which I am writing. Otherwise, also, shecould hardly have obtained her footing and kept it in Mrs Roper'sdrawing-room. For though the hundred pounds a year, either paid, orpromised to be paid, was matter with Mrs Roper of vast consideration, nevertheless the first three months of Mrs Lupex's sojourn in BurtonCrescent was not over before the landlady of that house was mostanxiously desirous of getting herself quit of her married boarders. 

I shall perhaps best describe a little incident that had occurredin Burton Crescent during the absence of our friend Eames, and themanner in which things were going on in that locality, by giving atlength two letters which Johnny received by post at Guestwick on themorning after Mrs Dale's party. One was from his friend Cradell, andthe other from the devoted Amelia. In this instance I will give thatfrom the gentleman first, presuming that I shall best consult myreader's wishes by keeping the greater delicacy till the last. 

 INCOME-TAX OFFICE, September 186--. 

 MY DEAR JOHNNY, --

 We have had a terrible affair in the Crescent; and I really hardly know how to tell you; and yet I must do it, for I want your advice. You know the sort of standing that I was on with Mrs Lupex, and perhaps you remember what we were saying on the platform at the station. I have, no doubt, been fond of her society, as I might be of that of any other friend. I knew, of course, that she was a fine woman; and if her husband chose to be jealous, I couldn't help that. But I never intended anything wrong; and, if it was necessary, couldn't I call you as a witness to prove it? I never spoke a word to her out of Mrs Roper's drawing-room; and Miss Spruce, or Mrs Roper, or somebody has always been there. You know he drinks horribly sometimes, but I do not think he ever gets downright drunk. Well, he came home last night about nine o'clock after one of these bouts. From what Jemima says [Jemima was Mrs Roper's parlour-maid] I believe he had been at it down at the theatre for three days. We hadn't seen him since Tuesday. He went straight into the parlour and sent up Jemima to me, to say that he wanted to see me. Mrs Lupex was in the room and heard the girl summon me, and, jumping up, she declared that if there was going to be bloodshed she would leave the house. There was nobody else in the room but Miss Spruce, and she didn't say a word, but took her candle and went upstairs. You must own it looked very uncomfortable. What was I to do with a drunken man down in the parlour? However, she seemed to think I ought to go. "If he comes up here, " said she, "I shall be the victim. You little know of what that man is capable, when his wrath has been inflamed by wine!" Now, I think you are aware that I am not likely to be very much afraid of any man; but why was I to be got into a row in such a way as this? I hadn't done anything. And then, if there was to be a quarrel, and anything was to come of it, as she seemed to expect, --like bloodshed, I mean, or a fight, or if he were to knock me on the head with the poker, where should I be at my office? A man in a public office, as you and I are, can't quarrel like anybody else. It was this that I felt so much at the moment. "Go down to him, " said she, "unless you wish to see me murdered at your feet. " Fisher says, that if what I say is true, they must have arranged it all between them. I don't think that; for I do believe that she really is fond of me. And then everybody knows that they never do agree about anything. But she certainly did implore me to go down to him. Well, I went down; and, as I got to the bottom of the stairs, where I found Jemima, I heard him walking up and down the parlour. "Take care of yourself, Mr Cradell, " said the girl; and I could see by her face that she was in a terrible fright. 

 At that moment I happened to see my hat on the hall table, and it occurred to me that I ought to put myself into the hands of a friend. Of course, I was not afraid of that man in the dining-room; but should I have been justified in engaging in a struggle, perhaps for dear life, in Mrs Roper's house? I was bound to think of her interests. So I took up my hat, and deliberately walked out of the front door. "Tell him, " said I to Jemima, "that I'm not at home. " And so I went away direct to Fisher's, meaning to send him back to Lupex as my friend; but Fisher was at his chess-club. 

 As I thought there was no time to be lost on such an occasion as this, I went down to the club and called him out. You know what a cool fellow Fisher is. I don't suppose anything would ever excite him. When I told him the story, he said that he would sleep upon it; and I had to walk up and down before the club while he finished his game. Fisher seemed to think that I might go back to Burton Crescent; but, of course I knew that that would be out of the question. So it ended in my going home and sleeping on his sofa, and sending for some of my things in the morning. I wanted him to get up and see Lupex before going to the office this morning. But he said it would be better to put it off, and so he will call upon him at the theatre immediately after office hours. 

 I want you to write to me at once saying what you know about the matter. I ask you, as I don't want to lug in any of the other people at Roper's. It is very uncomfortable, as I can't exactly leave her at once because of last quarter's money, otherwise I should cut and run; for the house is not the sort of place either for you or me. You may take my word for that, Master Johnny. And I could tell you another thing, too about A. R. , only I don't want to make mischief. But do you write immediately. And now I think of it, you had better write to Fisher, so that he can show your letter to Lupex, --just saying, that to the best of your belief there had never been anything between her and me but mere friendship; and that, of course, you, as my friend, must have known everything. Whether I shall go back to Roper's to-night will depend on what Fisher says after the interview. 

 Good-bye, old fellow! I hope you are enjoying yourself, and that L. D. Is quite well. 

 Your sincere friend, JOSEPH CRADELL. 

John Eames read this letter over twice before he opened that fromAmelia. He had never yet received a letter from Miss Roper; and feltvery little of that ardour for its perusal which young men generallyexperience on the receipt of a first letter from a young lady. Thememory of Amelia was at the present moment distasteful to him; and hewould have thrown the letter unopened into the fire, had he not feltit might be dangerous to do so. As regarded his friend Cradell, hecould not but feel ashamed of him, --ashamed of him, not for runningaway from Mr Lupex, but for excusing his escape on false pretences. 

And then, at last, he opened the letter from Amelia. "Dearest John, "it began; and as he read the words, he crumpled the paper up betweenhis fingers. It was written in a fair female hand, with sharp pointsinstead of curves to the letters, but still very legible, and lookingas though there were a decided purport in every word of it. 

 DEAREST JOHN, It feels so strange to me to write to you in such language as this. And yet you are dearest, and have I not a right to call you so? And are you not my own, and am not I yours? [Again he crunched the paper up in his hand, and, as he did so, he muttered words which I need not repeat at length. But still he went on with his letter. ] I know that we understand each other perfectly, and when that is the case, heart should be allowed to speak openly to heart. Those are my feelings, and I believe that you will find them reciprocal in your own bosom. Is it not sweet to be loved? I find it so. And, dearest John, let me assure you, with open candour, that there is no room for jealousy in this breast with regard to you. I have too much confidence for that, I can assure you, both in your honour and in my own--I would say charms, only you would call me vain. You must not suppose that I meant what I said about L. D. Of course, you will be glad to see the friends of your childhood; and it would be far from your Amelia's heart to begrudge you such delightful pleasure. Your friends will, I hope, some day be my friends. [Another crunch. ] And if there be any one among them, any real L. D. Whom you have specially liked, I will receive her to my heart, specially also. [This assurance on the part of his Amelia was too much for him, and he threw the letter from him, thinking whence he might get relief--whether from suicide or from the colonies; but presently he took it up again, and drained the bitter cup to the bottom. ] And if I seemed petulant to you before you went away, you must forgive your own Amelia. I had nothing before me but misery for the month of your absence. There is no one here congenial to my feelings, --of course not. And you would not wish me to be happy in your absence, --would you? I can assure you, let your wishes he what they may, I never can be happy again unless you are with me. Write to me one little line, and tell me that you are grateful to me for my devotion. 

 And now, I must tell you that we have had a sad affair in the house; and I do not think that your friend Mr Cradell has behaved at all well. You remember how he has been always going on with Mrs Lupex. Mother was quite unhappy about it, though she didn't like to say anything. Of course, when a lady's name is concerned, it is particular. Bur Lupex has become dreadful jealous during the last week, and we all knew that something was coming. She is an artful woman, but I don't think she meant anything bad, --only to drive her husband to desperation. He came here yesterday in one of his tantrums, and wanted to see Cradell; but he got frightened, and took his hat and went off. Now, that wasn't quite right. If he was innocent, why didn't he stand his ground and explain the mistake? As mother says, it gives the house such a name. Lupex swore last night that he'd be off to the Income-tax Office this morning, and have Cradell out before the commissioners, and clerks, and everybody. If he does that, it will get into the papers, and all London will be full of it. She would like it. I know; for all she cares for is to be talked about; but only think what it will be for mother's house. I wish you were here; for your high prudence and courage would set everything right at once, --at least, I think so. 

 I shall count the minutes till I get an answer to this, and shall envy the postman who will have your letter before it will reach me. Do write at once. If I do not hear by Monday morning I shall think that something is the matter. Even though you are among your dear old friends, surely you can find a moment to write to your own Amelia. 

 Mother is very unhappy about this affair of the Lupexes. She says that if you were here to advise her she should not mind it so much. It is very hard upon her, for she does strive to make the house respectable and comfortable for everybody. I would send my duty and love to your dear mamma, if I only knew her, as I hope I shall do one day, and to your sister, and to L. D. Also, if you like to tell her how we are situated together. So, now, no more from your

 Always affectionate sweetheart, AMELIA ROPER. 

Poor Eames did not feel the least gratified by any part of this fondletter; but the last paragraph of it was the worst. Was it to beendured by him that this woman should send her love to his motherand to his sister, and even to Lily Dale! He felt that there was apollution in the very mention of Lily's name by such an one as AmeliaRoper. And yet Amelia Roper was, as she had assured him, --his own. Much as he disliked her at the present moment, he did believe that hewas--her own. He did feel that she had obtained a certain propertyin him, and that his destiny in life would tie him to her. He hadsaid very few words of love to her at any time, --very few, at least, that were themselves of any moment; but among those few there hadundoubtedly been one or two in which he had told her that he lovedher. And he had written to her that fatal note! Upon the whole, wouldit not be as well for him to go out to the great reservoir behindGuestwick, by which the Hamersham Canal was fed with its waters, andput an end to his miserable existence?

On that same day he did write a letter to Fisher, and he wrote alsoto Cradell. As to those letters he felt no difficulty. To Fisher hedeclared his belief that Cradell was innocent as he was himself asregarded Mrs Lupex. "I don't think he is the sort of man to make upto a married woman, " he said, somewhat to Cradell's displeasure, when the letter reached the Income-tax Office; for that gentlemanwas not averse to the reputation for success in love which thelittle adventure was, as he thought, calculated to give him amonghis brother clerks. At the first bursting of the shell, when thatdesperately jealous man was raging in the parlour, incensed by thefumes both of wine and love, Cradell had felt that the affair wasdisagreeably painful. But on the morning of the third day, --for hehad passed two nights on his friend Fisher's sofa, --he had begun tobe somewhat proud of it, and did not dislike to hear Mrs Lupex'sname in the mouths of the other clerks. When, therefore, Fisher readto him the letter from Guestwick, he hardly was pleased with hisfriend's tone. "Ha, ha, ha, " said he, laughing. "That's just what Iwanted him to say. Make up to a married woman, indeed. No; I'm thelast man in London to do that sort of thing. "

"Upon my word, Caudle, I think you are, " said Fisher; "the very lastman. "

And then poor Cradell was not happy. On that afternoon he boldly wentto Burton Crescent, and ate his dinner there. Neither Mr nor MrsLupex were to be seen, nor were their names mentioned to him by MrsRoper. In the course of the evening he did pluck up courage to askMiss Spruce where they were; but that ancient lady merely shook herhead solemnly, and declared that she knew nothing about such goingson;--no, not she. 

But what was John Eames to do as to that letter from Amelia Roper? Hefelt that any answer to it would be very dangerous, and yet that hecould not safely leave it unanswered. He walked off by himself acrossGuestwick Common, and through the woods of Guestwick Manor, up by thebig avenue of elms in Lord De Guest's park, trying to resolve how hemight rescue himself from this scrape. Here, over the same ground, he had wandered scores of times in his earlier years, when he knewnothing beyond the innocence of his country home, thinking of LilyDale, and swearing to himself that she should be his wife. Here hehad strung together his rhymes, and fed his ambition with high hopes, building gorgeous castles in the air, in all of which Lilian reignedas a queen; and though in those days he had known himself to beawkward, poor, uncared for by any in the world except his mother andhis sister, yet he had been happy in his hopes, --happy in his hopes, even though he had never taught himself really to believe that theywould be realised. But now there was nothing in his hopes or thoughtsto make him happy. Everything was black, and wretched, and ruinous. What would it matter, after all, even if he should marry AmeliaRoper, seeing that Lily was to be given to another? But then the ideaof Amelia as he had seen her that night through the chink in the doorcame upon his memory, and he confessed to himself that life with sucha wife as that would be a living death. 

At one moment he thought that he would tell his mother everything, and leave her to write an answer to Amelia's letter. Should the worstcome to the worst, the Ropers could not absolutely destroy him. Thatthey could bring an action against him, and have him locked up for aterm of years, and dismissed from his office, and exposed in all thenewspapers, he seemed to know. That might all, however, be endured, if only the gauntlet could be thrown down for him by some one else. The one thing which he felt that he could not do was, to write toa girl whom he had professed to love, and tell her that he did notlove her. He knew that he could not himself form such words upon thepaper; nor, as he was well aware, could he himself find the courageto tell her to her face that he had changed his mind. He knew thathe must become the victim of his Amelia, unless he could find somefriendly knight to do battle in his favour; and then again he thoughtof his mother. 

But when he returned home he was as far as ever from any resolve totell her how he was situated. I may say that his walk had done him nogood, and that he had not made up his mind to anything. He had beenbuilding those pernicious castles in the air during more than halfthe time; not castles in the building of which he could make himselfhappy, as he had done in the old days, but black castles, with crueldungeons, into which hardly a ray of light could find its way. In allthese edifices his imagination pictured to him Lily as the wife ofMr Crosbie. He accepted that as a fact, and then went to work in hismisery, making her as wretched as himself, through the misconduct andharshness of her husband. He tried to think, and to resolve what hewould do; but there is no task so hard as that of thinking, when themind has an objection to the matter brought before it. The mind, under such circumstances, is like a horse that is brought to thewater, but refuses to drink. So Johnny returned to his home, stilldoubting whether or no he would answer Amelia's letter. And if he didnot answer it, how would he conduct himself on his return to BurtonCrescent?

I need hardly say that Miss Roper, in writing her letter, had beenaware of all this, and that Johnny's position had been carefullyprepared for him by his affectionate sweetheart. 

CHAPTER XI

Social Life

Mr and Mrs Lupex had eaten a sweetbread together in much connubialbliss on that day which had seen Cradell returning to Mrs Roper'shospitable board. They had together eaten a sweetbread, withsome other delicacies of the season, in the neighbourhood of thetheatre, and had washed down all unkindness with bitter beer andbrandy-and-water. But of this reconciliation Cradell had not heard;and when he saw them come together into the drawing-room, a fewminutes after the question he had addressed to Miss Spruce, he wascertainly surprised. 

Lupex was not an ill-natured man, nor one naturally savage bydisposition. He was a man fond of sweetbread and little dinners, andone to whom hot brandy-and-water was too dear. Had the wife of hisbosom been a good helpmate to him, he might have gone through theworld, if not respectably, at any rate without open disgrace. Butshe was a woman who left a man no solace except that to be found inbrandy-and-water. For eight years they had been man and wife; andsometimes--I grieve to say it--he had been driven almost to hopethat she would commit a married woman's last sin, and leave him. Inhis misery, any mode of escape would have been welcome to him. Hadhis energy been sufficient he would have taken his scene-paintingcapabilities off to Australia, --or to the farthest shifting ofscenes known on the world's stage. But he was an easy, listless, self-indulgent man; and at any moment, let his misery be as keenas might be, a little dinner, a few soft words, and a glass ofbrandy-and-water would bring him round. The second glass would makehim the fondest husband living; but the third would restore to himthe memory of all his wrongs, and give him courage against his wifeor all the world, --even to the detriment of the furniture around him, should a stray poker chance to meet his hand. All these peculiaritiesof his character were not, however, known to Cradell; and when ourfriend saw him enter the drawing-room with his wife on his arm, hewas astonished. 

"Mr Cradell, your hand, " said Lupex, who had advanced as far as thesecond glass of brandy-and-water, but had not been allowed to gobeyond it. "There has been a misunderstanding between us; let it beforgotten. "

"Mr Cradell, if I know him, " said the lady, "is too much thegentleman to bear any anger when a gentleman has offered him hishand. "

"Oh, I'm sure, " said Cradell, "I'm quite--indeed, I'm delighted tofind there's nothing wrong after all. " And then he shook hands withboth of them; whereupon Miss Spruce got up, curtseyed low, and alsoshook hands with the husband and wife. 

"You're not a married man, Mr Cradell, " said Lupex, "and thereforeyou cannot understand the workings of a husband's heart. There havebeen moments when my regard for that woman has been too much for me. "

"Now, Lupex, don't, " said she, playfully tapping him with an oldparasol which she still held. 

"And I do not hesitate to say that my regard for her was too much forme on that night when I sent for you to the dining-room. "

"I'm glad it's all put right now, " said Cradell. 

"Very glad, indeed, " said Miss Spruce. 

"And, therefore, we need not say any more about it, " said Mrs Lupex. 

"One word, " said Lupex, waving his hand. "Mr Cradell, I greatlyrejoice that you did not obey my summons on that night. Had you doneso, --I confess it now, --had you done so, blood would have been theconsequence. I was mistaken. I acknowledge my mistake;--but bloodwould have been the consequence. "

"Dear, dear, dear, " said Miss Spruce. 

"Miss Spruce, " continued Lupex, "there are moments when the heartbecomes too strong for a man. "

"I dare say, " said Miss Spruce. 

"Now, Lupex, that will do, " said his wife. 

"Yes; that will do. But I think it right to tell Mr Cradell that Iam glad he did not come to me. Your friend, Mr Cradell, did me thehonour of calling on me at the theatre yesterday, at half-past four;but I was in the slings then and could not very well come down tohim. I shall be happy to see you both any day at five, and to buryall unkindness with a chop and glass at the Pot and Poker, in BowStreet. "

"I'm sure you're very kind, " said Cradell. 

"And Mrs Lupex will join us. There's a delightful little snuggeryupstairs at the Pot and Poker; and if Miss Spruce will condescendto--"

"Oh, I'm an old woman, sir. "

"No--no--no, " said Lupex, "I deny that. Come, Cradell, what do yousay?--just a snug little dinner for four, you know. "

It was, no doubt, pleasant to see Mr Lupex in his present mood, --muchpleasanter than in that other mood of which blood would have beenthe consequence: but pleasant as he now was, it was, nevertheless, apparent that he was not quite sober. Cradell, therefore, did notsettle the day for the little dinner; but merely remarked that heshould be very happy at some future day. 

"And now, Lupex, suppose you get off to bed, " said his wife. "You'vehad a very trying day, you know. "

"And you, ducky?"

"I shall come presently. Now don't be making a fool of yourself, butget yourself off. Come--" and she stood close up against the opendoor, waiting for him to pass. 

"I rather think I shall remain where I am, and have a glass ofsomething hot, " said he. 

"Lupex, do you want to aggravate me again?" said the lady, andshe looked at him with a glance of her eye which he thoroughlyunderstood. He was not in a humour for fighting, nor was he atpresent desirous of blood; so he resolved to go. But as he went heprepared himself for new battles. "I shall do something desperate, I am sure; I know I shall, " he said, as he pulled off his boots. 

"Oh, Mr Cradell, " said Mrs Lupex as soon as she had closed the doorbehind her retreating husband, "how am I ever to look you in the faceagain after the events of these last memorable days?" And then sheseated herself on the sofa, and hid her face in a cambrichandkerchief. 

"As for that, " said Cradell, "what does it signify, --among friendslike us, you know?"

"But that it should be known at your office, --as of course it is, because of the gentleman that went down to him at the theatre, --Idon't think I shall ever survive it. "

"You see I was obliged to send somebody, Mrs Lupex. "

"I'm not finding fault, Mr Cradell. I know very well that in mymelancholy position I have no right to find fault, and I don'tpretend to understand gentlemen's feelings towards each other. Butto have had my name mentioned up with yours in that way is-- Oh! MrCradell, I don't know how I'm ever to look you in the face again. "And again she buried hers in her pocket-handkerchief. 

"Handsome is as handsome does, " said Miss Spruce; and there was thatin her tone of voice which seemed to convey much hidden meaning. 

"Exactly so, Miss Spruce, " said Mrs Lupex; "and that's my onlycomfort at the present moment. Mr Cradell is a gentleman who wouldscorn to take advantage;--I'm quite sure of that. " And then she didcontrive to look at him over the edge of the hand which held thehandkerchief. 

"That I wouldn't, I'm sure, " said Cradell. "That is to say--" Andthen he paused. He did not wish to get into a scrape about Mrs Lupex. He was by no means anxious to encounter her husband in one of hisfits of jealousy. But he did like the idea of being talked of as theadmirer of a married woman, and he did like the brightness of thelady's eyes. When the unfortunate moth in his semi-blindness whiskshimself and his wings within the flame of the candle, and findshimself mutilated and tortured, he even then will not take thelesson, but returns again and again till he is destroyed. Such amoth was poor Cradell. There was no warmth to be got by him fromthat flame. There was no beauty in the light, --not even the falsebrilliance of unhallowed love. Injury might come to him, --apernicious clipping of the wings, which might destroy all power offuture flight; injury, and not improbably destruction, if he shouldpersevere. But one may say that no single hour of happiness couldaccrue to him from his intimacy with Mrs Lupex. He felt for her nolove. He was afraid of her, and, in many respects, disliked her. But to him, in his moth-like weakness, ignorance, and blindness, itseemed to be a great thing that he should be allowed to fly near thecandle. Oh! my friends, if you will but think of it, how many of youhave been moths, and are now going about ungracefully with wings moreor less burnt off, and with bodies sadly scorched!

But before Mr Cradell could make up his mind whether or no he wouldtake advantage of the present opportunity for another dip intothe flame of the candle, --in regard to which proceeding, however, he could not but feel that the presence of Miss Spruce wasobjectionable, --the door of the room was opened, and Amelia Roperjoined the party. 

"Oh, indeed; Mrs Lupex, " she said. "And Mr Cradell!"

"And Miss Spruce, my dear, " said Mrs Lupex, pointing to the ancientlady. 

"I'm only an old woman, " said Miss Spruce. 

"Oh, yes; I see Miss Spruce, " said Amelia. "I was not hintinganything, I can assure you. "

"I should think not, my dear, " said Mrs Lupex. 

"Only I didn't know that you two were quite-- That is, when last Iheard about it, I fancied-- But if the quarrel's made up, there'snobody more rejoiced than I am. "

"The quarrel is made up, " said Cradell. 

"If Mrs Lupex is satisfied, I'm sure I am, " said Amelia. 

"Mr Lupex is satisfied, " said Mrs Lupex; "and let me tell you, mydear, seeing that you are expecting to get married yourself--"

"Mrs Lupex, I'm not expecting to get married, --not particularly, byany means. "

"Oh, I thought you were. And let me tell you, that when you've gota husband of your own, you won't find it so easy to keep everythingstraight. That's the worst of these lodgings; if there is any littlething, everybody knows it. Don't they, Miss Spruce?"

"Lodgings is so much more comfortable than housekeeping, " said MissSpruce, who lived rather in fear of her relatives, the Ropers. 

"Everybody knows it; does he?" said Amelia. "Why, if a gentleman willcome home at night tipsy and threaten to murder another gentleman inthe same house; and if a lady--" And then Amelia paused, for she knewthat the line-of-battle ship which she was preparing to encounter hadwithin her much power of fighting. 

"Well, miss, " said Mrs Lupex, getting on her feet, "and what of thelady?"

Now we may say that the battle had begun, and that the two ships werepledged by the general laws of courage and naval warfare to maintainthe contest till one of them should be absolutely disabled, if notblown up or sunk. And at this moment it might be difficult for abystander to say with which of the combatants rested the betterchance of permanent success. Mrs Lupex had doubtless on her sidemore matured power, a habit of fighting which had given her infiniteskill, a courage which deadened her to the feeling of all woundswhile the heat of the battle should last, and a recklessness whichmade her almost indifferent whether she sank or swam. But then Ameliacarried the greater guns, and was able to pour in heavier metal thanher enemy could use; and she, too, swam in her own waters. Shouldthey absolutely come to grappling and boarding, Amelia would no doubthave the best of it; but Mrs Lupex would probably be too crafty topermit such a proceeding as that. She was, however, ready for theoccasion, and greedy for the fight. 

"And what of the lady?" said she, in a tone of voice that admitted ofno pacific rejoinder. 

"A lady, if she is a lady, " said Amelia, "will know how to behaveherself. "

"And you're going to teach me, are you, Miss Roper? I'm sure I'm everso much obliged to you. It's Manchester manners, I suppose, that youprefer?"

"I prefer honest manners, Mrs Lupex, and decent manners, and mannersthat won't shock a whole house full of people; and I don't carewhether they come from Manchester or London. "

"Milliner's manners, I suppose?"

"I don't care whether they are milliner's manners or theatrical, MrsLupex, as long as they're not downright bad manners--as yours are, Mrs Lupex. And now you've got it. What are you going on for in thisway with that young man, till you'll drive your husband into amadhouse with drink and jealousy?"

"Miss Roper! Miss Roper!" said Cradell; "now really--"

"Don't mind her, Mr Cradell, " said Mrs Lupex; "she's not worthy foryou to speak to. And as to that poor fellow Eames, if you've anyfriendship for him, you'll let him know what she is. My dear, how'sMr Juniper, of Grogram's house, at Salford? I know all about you, andso shall John Eames, too--poor unfortunate fool of a fellow! Tellingme of drink and jealousy, indeed!"

"Yes, telling you! And now you've mentioned Mr Juniper's name, MrEames, and Mr Cradell too, may know the whole of it. There's beennothing about Mr Juniper that I'm ashamed of. "

"It would be difficult to make you ashamed of anything, I believe. "

"But let me tell you this, Mrs Lupex, you're not going to destroy therespectability of this house by your goings on. "

"It was a bad day for me when I let Lupex bring me into it. "

"Then pay your bill, and walk out of it, " said Amelia, waving herhand towards the door. "I'll undertake to say there shan't be anynotice required. Only you pay mother what you owe, and you're free togo at once. "

"I shall go just when I please, and not one hour before. Who are you, you gipsy, to speak to me in this way?"

"And as for going, go you shall, if we have to call in the police tomake you. "

Amelia, as at this period of the fight she stood fronting her foewith her arms akimbo, certainly seemed to have the best of thebattle. But the bitterness of Mrs Lupex's tongue had hardly yetproduced its greatest results. I am inclined to think that themarried lady would have silenced her who was single, had thefight been allowed to rage, --always presuming that no resort tograppling-irons took place. But at this moment Mrs Roper entered theroom, accompanied by her son, and both the combatants for a momentretreated. 

"Amelia, what's all this?" said Mrs Roper, trying to assume a look ofagonised amazement. 

"Ask Mrs Lupex, " said Amelia. 

"And Mrs Lupex will answer, " said that lady. "Your daughter has comein here, and attacked me--in such language--before Mr Cradell too--"

"Why doesn't she pay what she owes, and leave the house?" saidAmelia. 

"Hold your tongue, " said her brother. "What she owes is no affair ofyours. "

"But it's an affair of mine, when I'm insulted by such a creature asthat. "

"Creature!" said Mrs Lupex. "I'd like to know which is most likea creature! But I'll tell you what it is, Amelia Roper--" Here, however, her eloquence was stopped, for Amelia had disappearedthrough the door, having been pushed out of the room by her brother. Whereupon Mrs Lupex, having found a sofa convenient for the service, betook herself to hysterics. There for the moment we will leave her, hoping that poor Mrs Roper was not kept late out of her bed. 

"What a deuce of a mess Eames will make of it if he marries thatgirl!" Such was Cradell's reflection as he betook himself to his ownroom. But of his own part in the night's transactions he was ratherproud than otherwise, feeling that the married lady's regard for himhad been the cause of the battle which had raged. So, likewise, didParis derive much gratification from the ten years' siege of Troy. 

CHAPTER XII

Lilian Dale Becomes a Butterfly

And now we will go back to Allington. The same morning that broughtto John Eames the two letters which were given in the last chapterbut one, brought to the Great House, among others, the followingepistle for Adolphus Crosbie. It was from a countess, and was writtenon pink paper, beautifully creamlaid and scented, ornamented with acoronet and certain singularly-entwined initials. Altogether, theletter was very fashionable and attractive, and Adolphus Crosbie wasby no means sorry to receive it. 

 COURCY CASTLE, September 186--. 

 MY DEAR MR CROSBIE, We have heard of you from the Gazebees, who have come down to us, and who tell us that you are rusticating at a charming little village, in which, among other attractions, there are wood nymphs and water nymphs, to whom much of your time is devoted. As this is just the thing for your taste, I would not for worlds disturb you; but if you should ever tear yourself away from the groves and fountains of Allington, we shall be delighted to welcome you here, though you will find us very unromantic after your late Elysium. 

 Lady Dumbello is coming to us, who I know is a favourite of yours. Or is it the other way, and are you a favourite of hers? I did ask Lady Hartletop, but she cannot get away from the poor marquis, who is, you know, so very infirm. The duke isn't at Gatherum at present, but, of course, I don't mean that that has anything to do with dear Lady Hartletop coming to us. I believe we shall have the house full, and shall not want for nymphs either, though I fear they will not be of the wood and water kind. Margaretta and Alexandrina particularly want you to come, as they say you are so clever at making a houseful of people go off well. If you can give us a week before you go back to manage the affairs of the nation, pray do. 

 Yours very sincerely, ROSINA DE COURCY. 

The Countess de Courcy was a very old friend of Mr Crosbie's; that isto say, as old friends go in the world in which he had been living. He had known her for the last six or seven years, and had been inthe habit of going to all her London balls, and dancing with herdaughters everywhere, in a most good-natured and affable way. He hadbeen intimate, from old family relations, with Mr Mortimer Gazebee, who, though only an attorney of the more distinguished kind, hadmarried the countess's eldest daughter, and now sat in Parliamentfor the city of Barchester, near to which Courcy Castle was situated. And, to tell the truth honestly at once, Mr Crosbie had been on termsof great friendship with Lady de Courcy's daughters, the LadiesMargaretta and Alexandrina--perhaps especially so with the latter, though I would not have my readers suppose by my saying so thatanything more tender than friendship had ever existed between them. 

Crosbie said nothing about the letter on that morning; but during theday, or, perhaps, as he thought over the matter in bed, he made uphis mind that he would accept Lady de Courcy's invitation. It was notonly that he would be glad to see the Gazebees, or glad to stay inthe same house with that great master in the high art of fashionablelife, Lady Dumbello, or glad to renew his friendship with the LadiesMargaretta and Alexandrina. Had he felt that the circumstances of hisengagement with Lily made it expedient for him to stay with her tillthe end of his holidays, he could have thrown over the de Courcyswithout a struggle. But he told himself that it would be well for himnow to tear himself away from Lily; or perhaps he said that it wouldbe well for Lily that he should be torn away. He must not teach herto think that they were to live only in the sunlight of each other'seyes during those months, or perhaps years, which might elapse beforetheir engagement could be carried out. Nor must he allow her tosuppose that either he or she were to depend solely upon the otherfor the amusements and employments of life. In this way he argued thematter very sensibly within his own mind, and resolved, without muchdifficulty, that he would go to Courcy Castle, and bask for a week inthe sunlight of the fashion which would be collected there. The quiethumdrum of his own fireside would come upon him soon enough!

"I think I shall leave you on Wednesday, sir, " Crosbie said to thesquire at breakfast on Sunday morning. 

"Leave us on Wednesday!" said the squire, who had an old-fashionedidea that people who were engaged to marry each other should remaintogether as long as circumstances could be made to admit of theirdoing so. "Nothing wrong, is there?"

"Oh, dear, no! But everything must come to an end some day; and as Imust make one or two short visits before I get back to town, I mightas well go on Wednesday. Indeed, I have made it as late as I possiblycould. "

"Where do you go from here?" asked Bernard. 

"Well, as it happens, only into the next county, --to Courcy Castle. "And then there was nothing more said about the matter at thatbreakfast-table. 

It had become their habit to meet together on the Sunday morningsbefore church, on the lawn belonging to the Small House, and on thisday the three gentlemen walked down together, and found Lily andBell already waiting for them. They generally had some few minutesto spare on those occasions before Mrs Dale summoned them to passthrough the house to church, and such was the case at present. Thesquire at these times would stand in the middle of the grass-plot, surveying his grounds, and taking stock of the shrubs, and flowers, and fruit-trees round him; for he never forgot that it was all hisown, and would thus use this opportunity, as he seldom came downto see the spot on other days. Mrs Dale, as she would see him fromher own window while she was tying on her bonnet, would feel thatshe knew what was passing through his mind, and would regretthat circumstances had forced her to be beholden to him for suchassistance. But, in truth, she did not know all that he thought atsuch times. "It is mine, " he would say to himself, as he lookedaround on the pleasant place. "But it is well for me that they shouldenjoy it. She is my brother's widow, and she is welcome;--verywelcome. " I think that if those two persons had known more than theydid of each other's hearts and minds they might have loved each otherbetter. 

And then Crosbie told Lily of his intention. "On Wednesday!" shesaid, turning almost pale with emotion as she heard this news. He hadtold her abruptly, not thinking, probably, that such tidings wouldaffect her so strongly. 

"Well, yes. I have written to Lady de Courcy and said Wednesday. Itwouldn't do for me exactly to drop everybody, and perhaps--"

"Oh, no! And, Adolphus, you don't suppose I begrudge your going. Onlyit does seem so sudden; does it not?"

"You see, I've been here over six weeks. "

"Yes; you've been very good. When I think of it, what a six weeks ithas been! I wonder whether the difference seems to you as great as itdoes to me. I've left off being a grub, and begun to be a butterfly. "

"But you mustn't be a butterfly when you're married, Lily. "

"No; not in that sense. But I meant that my real position in theworld, --that for which I would fain hope that I was created, --openedto me only when I knew you and knew that you loved me. But mamma iscalling us, and we must go through to church. Going on Wednesday!There are only three days more, then!"

"Yes, just three days, " he said, as he took her on his arm and passedthrough the house on to the road. 

"And when are we to see you again?" she asked, as they reached thechurchyard. 

"Ah, who is to say that yet? We must ask the Chairman of Committeeswhen he will let me go again. " Then there was nothing more said, andthey all followed the squire through the little porch and up to thebig family-pew in which they all sat. Here the squire took his placein one special corner which he had occupied ever since his father'sdeath, and from which he read the responses loudly and plainly, --soloudly and plainly, that the parish clerk could by no means equalhim, though with tremulous voice he still made the attempt. "T'squire'd like to be squire, and parson, and clerk, and everything; soa would, " the poor clerk would say, when complaining of the ill-usagewhich he suffered. 

If Lily's prayers were interrupted by her new sorrow, I think thather fault in that respect would be forgiven. Of course she had knownthat Crosbie was not going to remain at Allington much longer. Sheknew quite as well as he did the exact day on which his leave ofabsence came to its end, and the hour at which it behoved him towalk into his room at the General Committee Office. She had taughtherself to think that he would remain with them up to the end of hisvacation, and now she felt as a schoolboy would feel who was toldsuddenly, a day or two before the time, that the last week of hisholidays was to be taken from him. The grievance would have beenslight had she known it from the first; but what schoolboy couldstand such a shock, when the loss amounted to two-thirds of hisremaining wealth? Lily did not blame her lover. She did not eventhink that he ought to stay. She would not allow herself to supposethat he could propose anything that was unkind. But she felt herloss, and more than once, as she knelt at her prayers, she wiped ahidden tear from her eyes. 

Crosbie also was thinking of his departure more than he should havedone during Mr Boyce's sermon. "It's easy listening to him, " MrsHearn used to say of her husband's successor. "It don't give one muchtrouble following him into his arguments. " Mr Crosbie perhaps foundthe difficulty greater than did Mrs Hearn, and would have devoted hismind more perfectly to the discourse had the argument been deeper. Itis very hard, that necessity of listening to a man who says nothing. On this occasion Crosbie ignored the necessity altogether, and gaveup his mind to the consideration of what it might be expedient thathe should say to Lily before he went. He remembered well those fewwords which he had spoken in the first ardour of his love, pleadingthat an early day might be fixed for their marriage. And heremembered, also, how prettily Lily had yielded to him. "Only do notlet it be too soon, " she had said. Now he must unsay what he had thensaid; he must plead against his own pleadings, and explain to herthat he desired to postpone the marriage rather than to hasten it, --atask which, I presume, must always be an unpleasant one for any manengaged to be married. "I might as well do it at once, " he said tohimself, as he bobbed his head forward into his hands by way ofreturning thanks for the termination of Mr Boyce's sermon. 

As he had only three days left, it was certainly as well that heshould do this at once. Seeing that Lily had no fortune, she couldnot in justice complain of a prolonged engagement. That was theargument which he used in his own mind. But he as often told himselfthat she would have very great ground of complaint if she were leftfor a day unnecessarily in doubt as to this matter. Why had he rashlyspoken those hasty words to her in his love, betraying himself intoall manner of scrapes, as a schoolboy might do, or such a one asJohnny Eames? What an ass he had been not to have remembered himselfand to have been collected, --not to have bethought himself on theoccasion of all that might be due to Adolphus Crosbie! And thenthe idea came upon him whether he had not altogether made himselfan ass in this matter. And as he gave his arm to Lily outside thechurch-door, he shrugged his shoulders while making that reflection. "It is too late now, " he said to himself; and than turned roundand made some sweet little loving speech to her. Adolphus Crosbiewas a clever man; and he meant also to be a true man, --if only thetemptations to falsehood might not be too great for him. 

"Lily, " he said to her, "will you walk in the fields after lunch?"

Walk in the fields with him! Of course she would. There were onlythree days left, and would she not give up to him every moment of hertime, if he would accept of all her moments? And then they lunched atthe Small House, Mrs Dale having promised to join the dinner-partyat the squire's table. The squire did not eat any lunch, excusinghimself on the plea that lunch in itself was a bad thing. "He can eatlunch at his own house, " Mrs Dale afterwards said to Bell. "And I'veoften seen him take a glass of sherry. " While thinking of this, MrsDale made her own dinner. If her brother-in-law would not eat at herboard, neither would she eat at his. 

And then in a few minutes Lily had on her hat, in place of thatdecorous, church-going bonnet which Crosbie was wont to abuse witha lover's privilege, feeling well assured that he might say whathe liked of the bonnet as long as he would praise the hat. "Onlythree days, " she said, as she walked down with him across thelawn at a quick pace. But she said it in a voice which made nocomplaint, --which seemed to say simply this, --that as the goodtime was to be so short, they must make the most of it. And whatcompliment could be paid to a man so sweet as that? What flatterycould be more gratifying? All my earthly heaven is with you; and now, for the delight of these immediately present months or so, there areleft to me but three days of this heaven! Come, then; I will make themost of what happiness is given to me. Crosbie felt it all as shefelt it, and recognised the extent of the debt he owed her. "I'llcome down to them for a day at Christmas, though it be only for aday, " he said to himself. Then he reflected that as such was hisintention, it might be well for him to open his present conversationwith a promise to that effect. 

"Yes, Lily; there are only three days left now. But I wonderwhether--I suppose you'll all be at home at Christmas?"

"At home at Christmas?--of course we shall be at home. You don't meanto say you'll come to us!"

"Well; I think I will, if you'll have me. "

"Oh! that will make such a difference. Let me see. That will only bethree months. And to have you here on Christmas Day! I would soonerhave you then than on any other day in the year. "

"It will only be for one day, Lily. I shall come to dinner onChristmas Eve, and must go away the day after. "

"But you will come direct to our house!"

"If you can spare me a room. "

"Of course we can. So we could now. Only when you came, you know--"Then she looked up into his face and smiled. 

"When I came, I was the squire's friend and your cousin's rather thanyours. But that's all changed now. "

"Yes; you're my friend now, --mine specially. I'm to be now and alwaysyour own special, dearest friend;--eh, Adolphus?" And thus sheexacted from him the repetition of the promise which he had so oftengiven her. 

By this time they had passed through the grounds of the Great Houseand were in the fields. "Lily, " said he, speaking rather suddenly, and making her feel by his manner that something of importance wasto be said; "I want to say a few words to you about, --business. " Andhe gave a little laugh as he spoke the last word, making her fullyunderstand that he was not quite at his ease. 

"Of course I'll listen. And, Adolphus, pray don't be afraid about me. What I mean is, don't think that I can't bear cares and troubles. I can bear anything as long as you love me. I say that because I'mafraid I seemed to complain about your going. I didn't mean to. "

"I never thought you complained, dearest. Nothing can be better thanyou are at all times and in every way. A man would be very hard toplease if you didn't please him. "

"If I can only please you--"

"You do please me in everything. Dear Lily, I think I found an angelwhen I found you. But now about this business. Perhaps I'd bettertell you everything. "

"Oh, yes, tell me everything. "

"But then you mustn't misunderstand me. And if I talk about money, you mustn't suppose that it has anything to do with my love for you. "

"I wish for your sake that I wasn't such a little pauper. "

"What I mean to say is this, that if I seem to be anxious aboutmoney, you must not suppose that that anxiety bears any referencewhatever to my affection for you. I should love you just the same, and look forward just as much to my happiness in marrying you, whether you were rich or poor. You understand that?"

She did not quite understand him; but she merely pressed his arm, soas to encourage him to go on. She presumed that he intended to tellher something as to their future mode of life, --something whichhe supposed it might not be pleasant for her to hear, and she wasdetermined to show him that she would receive it pleasantly. 

"You know, " said he, "how anxious I have been that our marriageshould not be delayed. To me, of course, it must be everything nowto call you my own as soon as possible. " In answer to which littledeclaration of love, she merely pressed his arm again, the subjectbeing one on which she had not herself much to say. 

"Of course I must be very anxious, but I find it not so easy as Iexpected. "

"You know what I said, Adolphus. I said that I thought we had betterwait. I'm sure mamma thinks so. And if we can only see you now andthen--"

"That will be a matter of course. But, as I was saying--Let me see. Yes, --all that waiting will be intolerable to me. It is such a borefor a man when he has made up his mind on such a matter as marriage, not to make the change at once, especially when he is going to taketo himself such a little angel as you are, " and as he spoke theseloving words, his arm was again put round her waist; "but--" and thenhe stopped. He wanted to make her understand that this change ofintention on his part was caused by the unexpected misconduct of heruncle. He desired that she should know exactly how the matter stood;that he had been led to suppose that her uncle would give her somesmall fortune, that he had been disappointed, and had a right to feelthe disappointment keenly; and that in consequence of this blow tohis expectations, he must put off his marriage. But he wished heralso to understand at the same time that this did not in the leastmar his love for her; that he did not join her at all in her uncle'sfault. All this he was anxious to convey to her, but he did not knowhow to get it said in a manner that would not be offensive to herpersonally, and that should not appear to accuse himself of sordidmotives. He had begun by declaring that he would tell her all; butsometimes it is not easy, that task of telling a person everything. There are things which will not get themselves told. 

"You mean, dearest, " said she, "that you cannot afford to marry atonce. "

"Yes; that is it. I had expected that I should be able, but--"

Did any man in love ever yet find himself able to tell the lady whomhe loved that he was very much disappointed on discovering that shehad got no money? If so, his courage, I should say, was greater thanhis love. Crosbie found himself unable to do it, and thought himselfcruelly used because of the difficulty. The delay to which heintended to subject her was occasioned, as he felt, by the squire, and not by himself. He was ready to do his part, if only the squirehad been willing to do the part which properly belonged to him. Thesquire would not; and, therefore, neither could he, --not as yet. Justice demanded that all this should be understood; but when he cameto the telling of it, he found that the story would not form itselfproperly. He must let the thing go, and bear the injustice, consolinghimself as best he might by the reflection that he at least wasbehaving well in the matter. 

"It won't make me unhappy, Adolphus. "

"Will it not?" said he. "As regards myself, I own that I cannot bearthe delay with so much indifference. "

"Nay, my love; but you should not misunderstand me, " she said, stopping and facing him on the path in which they were walking. "Isuppose I ought to protest, according to the common rules, that Iwould rather wait. Young ladies are expected to say so. If you werepressing me to marry at once, I should say so, no doubt. But now, asit is, I will be more honest. I have only one wish in the world, andthat is, to be your wife, --to be able to share everything with you. The sooner we can be together the better it will be, --at any rate, for me. There; will that satisfy you?"

"My own, own Lily!"

"Yes, your own Lily. You shall have no cause to doubt me, dearest. But I do not expect that I am to have everything exactly as I wantit. I say again, that I shall not be unhappy in waiting. How can I beunhappy while I feel certain of your love? I was disappointed justnow when you said that you were going so soon; and I am afraid Ishowed it. But those little things are more unendurable than the bigthings. "

"Yes; that's very true. "

"But there are three more days, and I mean to enjoy them so much! Andthen you will write to me: and you will come at Christmas. And nextyear, when you have your holiday, you will come down to us again;will you not?"

"You may be quite sure of that. "

"And so the time will go by till it suits you to come and take me. Ishall not be unhappy. "

"I, at any rate, shall be impatient. "

"Ah, men always are impatient. It is one of their privileges, Isuppose. And I don't think that a man ever has the same positiveand complete satisfaction in knowing that he is loved, which a girlfeels. You are my bird that I have shot with my own gun; and theassurance of my success is sufficient for my happiness. "

"You have bowled me over, and know that I can't get up again. "

"I don't know about can't. I would let you up quick enough, if youwished it. "

How he made his loving assurance that he did not wish it, never wouldor could wish it, the reader will readily understand. And then heconsidered that he might as well leave all those money questions asthey now stood. His real object had been to convince her that theirjoint circumstances did not admit of an immediate marriage; and as tothat she completely understood him. Perhaps, during the next threedays, some opportunity might arise for explaining the whole matter toMrs Dale. At any rate, he had declared his own purpose honestly, andno one could complain of him. 

On the following day they all rode over to Guestwick together, --theall consisting of the two girls, with Bernard and Crosbie. Theirobject was to pay two visits, --one to their very noble and highlyexalted ally, the Lady Julia De Guest; and the other to their humblerand better known friend, Mrs Eames. As Guestwick Manor lay on theirroad into the town, they performed the grander ceremony the first. The present Earl De Guest, brother of that Lady Fanny who ran awaywith Major Dale, was an unmarried nobleman, who devoted himselfchiefly to the breeding of cattle. And as he bred very good cattle, taking infinite satisfaction in the employment, devoting all hisenergies thereto, and abstaining from all prominently evil courses, it should be acknowledged that he was not a bad member of society. He was a thorough-going old Tory, whose proxy was always in the handof the leader of his party; and who seldom himself went near themetropolis, unless called thither by some occasion of cattle-showing. He was a short, stumpy man, with red cheeks and a round face; who wasusually to be seen till dinner-time dressed in a very old shootingcoat, with breeches, gaiters, and very thick shoes. He livedgenerally out of doors, and was almost as great in the preservingof game as in the breeding of oxen. He knew every acre of his ownestate, and every tree upon it, as thoroughly as a lady knows theornaments in her drawing-room. There was no gap in a fence of whichhe did not remember the exact bearings, no path hither or thither asto which he could not tell the why and the wherefore. He had beenin his earlier years a poor man as regarded his income, --very poor, seeing that he was an earl. But he was not at present by any means animpoverished man, having been taught a lesson by the miseries of hisfather and grandfather, and having learned to live within his means. Now, as he was going down the vale of years, men said that he wasbecoming rich, and that he had ready money to spend, --a position inwhich no Lord De Guest had found himself for many generations back. His father and grandfather had been known as spendthrifts; and nowmen said that this earl was a miser. 

There was not much of nobility in his appearance; but they greatlymistook Lord De Guest who conceived that on that account his pride ofplace was not dear to his soul. His peerage dated back to the time ofKing John, and there were but three lords in England whose patentshad been conferred before his own. He knew what privileges were dueto him on behalf of his blood, and was not disposed to abate one jotof them. He was not loud in demanding them. As he went through theworld he sent no trumpeters to the right or left, proclaiming thatthe Earl De Guest was coming. When he spread his board for hisfriends, which he did but on rare occasions, he entertained themsimply with a mild, tedious, old-fashioned courtesy. We may say that, if properly treated, the earl never walked over anybody. But hecould, if ill-treated, be grandly indignant; and if attacked, couldhold his own against all the world. He knew himself to be everyinch an earl, pottering about after his oxen with his muddy gaitersand red cheeks, as much as though he were glittering with stars incourtly royal ceremonies among his peers at Westminster, --ay, more anearl than any of those who use their nobility for pageant purposes. Woe be to him who should mistake that old coat for a badge of ruraldegradation! Now and again some unlucky wight did make such amistake, and had to do his penance very uncomfortably. 

With the earl lived a maiden sister, the Lady Julia. Bernard Dale'sfather had, in early life, run away with one sister, but no suitorhad been fortunate enough to induce the Lady Julia to run with him. Therefore she still lived, in maiden blessedness, as mistress ofGuestwick Manor; and as such had no mean opinion of the high positionwhich destiny had called upon her to fill. She was a tedious, dull, virtuous old woman, who gave herself infinite credit for havingremained all her days in the home of her youth, probably forgetting, in her present advanced years, that her temptations to leave it hadnot been strong or numerous. She generally spoke of her sister Fannywith some little contempt, as though that poor lady had degradedherself in marrying a younger brother. She was as proud of her ownposition as was the earl her brother, but her pride was maintainedwith more of outward show and less of inward nobility. It was hardlyenough for her that the world should know that she was a De Guest, and therefore she had assumed little pompous ways and certain airs ofcondescension which did not make her popular with her neighbours. 

The intercourse between Guestwick Manor and Allington was not veryfrequent or very cordial. Soon after the running away of the LadyFanny, the two families had agreed to acknowledge their connectionwith each other, and to let it be known by the world that they wereon friendly terms. Either that course was necessary to them, orthe other course, of letting it be known that they were enemies. Friendship was the less troublesome, and therefore the two familiescalled on each other from time to time, and gave each other dinnersabout once a year. The earl regarded the squire as a man who haddeserted his politics, and had thereby forfeited the respect dueto him as an hereditary land magnate; and the squire was wont tobelittle the earl as one who understood nothing of the outer world. At Guestwick Manor Bernard was to some extent a favourite. He wasactually a relative, having in his veins blood of the De Guests, andwas not the less a favourite because he was the heir to Allington, and because the blood of the Dales was older even than that of thenoble family to which he was allied. When Bernard should come to bethe squire, then indeed there might be cordial relations betweenGuestwick Manor and Allington; unless, indeed, the earl's heir andthe squire's heir should have some fresh cause of ill-will betweenthemselves. 

They found Lady Julia sitting in her drawing-room alone, andintroduced to her Mr Crosbie in due form. The fact of Lily'sengagement was of course known at the manor, and it was quiteunderstood that her intended husband was now brought over that hemight be looked at and approved. Lady Julia made a very elaboratecurtsey, and expressed a hope that her young friend might be madehappy in that sphere of life to which it had pleased God to call her. 

"I hope I shall, Lady Julia, " said Lily, with a little laugh; "at anyrate I mean to try. "

"We all try, my dear, but many of us fail to try with sufficientenergy of purpose. It is only by doing our duty that we can hope tobe happy, whether in single life or in married. "

"Miss Dale means to be a dragon of perfection in the performance ofhers, " said Crosbie. 

"A dragon!" said Lady Julia. "No; I hope Miss Lily Dale will neverbecome a dragon. " And then she turned to her nephew. It may be aswell to say at once that she never forgave Mr Crosbie the freedom ofthe expression which he had used. He had been in the drawing-room ofGuestwick Manor for two minutes only, and it did not become him totalk about dragons. "Bernard, " she said, "I heard from your motheryesterday. I am afraid she does not seem to be very strong. " And thenthere was a little conversation, not very interesting in its nature, between the aunt and the nephew as to the general health of LadyFanny. 

"I didn't know my aunt was so unwell, " said Bell. 

"She isn't ill, " said Bernard. "She never is ill; but then she isnever well. "

"Your aunt, " said Lady Julia, seeming to put a touch of sarcasm intothe tone of her voice as she repeated the word, --"your aunt has neverenjoyed good health since she left this house; but that is a longtime ago. "

"A very long time, " said Crosbie, who was not accustomed to be leftin his chair silent. "You, Dale, at any rate, can hardly rememberit. "

"But I can remember it, " said Lady Julia, gathering herself up. "Ican remember when my sister Fanny was recognised as the beauty of thecountry. It is a dangerous gift, that of beauty. "

"Very dangerous, " said Crosbie. Then Lily laughed again, and LadyJulia became more angry than ever. What odious man was this whom herneighbours were going to take into their very bosom! But she hadheard of Mr Crosbie before, and Mr Crosbie also had heard of her. 

"By-the-by, Lady Julia, " said he, "I think I know some very dearfriends of yours. "

"Very dear friends is a very strong word. I have not many very dearfriends. "

"I mean the Gazebees. I have heard Mortimer Gazebee and Lady Ameliaspeak of you. "

Whereupon Lady Julia confessed that she did know the Gazebees. MrGazebee, she said, was a man who in early life had wanted manyadvantages, but still he was a very estimable person. He was now inParliament, and she understood that he was making himself useful. Shehad not quite approved of Lady Amelia's marriage at the time, and soshe had told her very old friend Lady de Courcy; but-- And then LadyJulia said many words in praise of Mr Gazebee, which seemed to amountto this; that he was an excellent sort of man, with a full convictionof the too great honour done to him by the earl's daughter who hadmarried him, and a complete consciousness that even that marriagehad not put him on a par with his wife's relations, or even with hiswife. And then it came out that Lady Julia in the course of the nextweek was going to meet the Gazebees at Courcy Castle. 

"I am delighted to think that I shall have the pleasure of seeing youthere, " said Crosbie. 

"Indeed!" said Lady Julia. 

"I am going to Courcy on Wednesday. That, I fear, will be too earlyto allow of my being of any service to your ladyship. "

Lady Julia drew herself up, and declined the escort which Mr Crosbiehad seemed to offer. It grieved her to find that Lily Dale's futurehusband was an intimate friend of her friend's, and it especiallygrieved her to find that he was now going to that friend's house. It was a grief to her, and she showed that it was. It also grievedCrosbie to find that Lady Julia was to be a fellow guest with himselfat Courcy Castle; but he did not show it. He expressed nothing butsmiles and civil self-congratulation on the matter, pretendingthat he would have much delight in again meeting Lady Julia; but, in truth, he would have given much could he have invented anymanoeuvre by which her ladyship might have been kept at home. 

"What a horrid old woman she is, " said Lily, as they rode back downthe avenue. "I beg your pardon, Bernard; for, of course, she is youraunt. "

"Yes; she is my aunt; and though I am not very fond of her, I denythat she is a horrid old woman. She never murdered anybody, or robbedanybody, or stole away any other woman's lover. "

"I should think not, " said Lily. 

"She says her prayers earnestly, I have no doubt, " continued Bernard, "and gives away money to the poor, and would sacrifice to-morrow anydesire of her own to her brother's wish. I acknowledge that she isugly, and pompous, and that, being a woman, she ought not to havesuch a long black beard on her upper lip. "

"I don't care a bit about her beard, " said Lily. "But why did shetell me to do my duty? I didn't go there to have a sermon preached tome. "

"And why did she talk about beauty being dangerous?" said Bell. "Ofcourse, we all knew what she meant. "

"I didn't know at all what she meant, " said Lily, "and I don't knownow. "

"I think she's a charming woman, and I shall be especially civil toher at Lady de Courcy's, " said Crosbie. 

And in this way, saying hard things of the poor old spinster whomthey had left, they made their way into Guestwick, and againdismounted at Mrs Eames's door. 

CHAPTER XIII

A Visit to Guestwick

As the party from Allington rode up the narrow High Street ofGuestwick, and across the market square towards the small, respectable, but very dull row of new houses in which Mrs Eameslived, the people of Guestwick were all aware that Miss Lily Dale wasescorted by her future husband. The opinion that she had been a veryfortunate girl was certainly general among the Guestwickians, thoughit was not always expressed in open or generous terms. "It was agreat match for her, " some said, but shook their heads at the sametime, hinting that Mr Crosbie's life in London was not all that itshould be, and suggesting that she might have been more safe had shebeen content to bestow herself upon some country neighbour of lessdangerous pretensions. Others declared that it was no such greatmatch after all. They knew his income to a penny, and believedthat the young people would find it very difficult to keep a housein London unless the old squire intended to assist them. But, nevertheless, Lily was envied as she rode through the town with herhandsome lover by her side. 

And she was very happy. I will not deny that she had some feeling oftriumphant satisfaction in the knowledge that she was envied. Such afeeling on her part was natural, and is natural to all men and womenwho are conscious that they have done well in the adjustment of theirown affairs. As she herself had said, he was her bird, the spoil ofher own gun, the product of such capacity as she had in her, on whichshe was to live, and, if possible, to thrive during the remainder ofher life. Lily fully recognised the importance of the thing she wasdoing, and, in soberest guise, had thought much of this matter ofmarriage. But the more she thought of it the more satisfied she wasthat she was doing well. And yet she knew that there was a risk. Hewho was now everything to her might die; nay, it was possible thathe might be other than she thought him to be; that he might neglecther, desert her, or misuse her. But she had resolved to trust ineverything, and, having so trusted, she would not provide for herselfany possibility of retreat. Her ship should go out into the middleocean, beyond all ken of the secure port from which it had sailed;her army should fight its battle with no hope of other safety thanthat which victory gives. All the world might know that she loved himif all the world chose to inquire about the matter. She triumphed inher lover, and did not deny even to herself that she was triumphant. 

Mrs Eames was delighted to see them. It was so good in Mr Crosbie tocome over and call upon such a poor, forlorn woman as her, and sogood in Captain Dale; so good also in the dear girls, who, at thepresent moment, had so much to make them happy at home at Allington!Little things, accounted as bare civilities by others, were esteemedas great favours by Mrs Eames. 

"And dear Mrs Dale? I hope she was not fatigued when we kept her upthe other night so unconscionably late?" Bell and Lily both assuredher that their mother was none the worse for what she had gonethrough; and then Mrs Eames got up and left the room, with thedeclared purpose of looking for John and Mary, but bent, in truth, onthe production of some cake and sweet wine which she kept under lockand key in the little parlour. 

"Don't let's stay here very long, " whispered Crosbie. 

"No, not very long, " said Lily. "But when you come to see my friendsyou mustn't be in a hurry, Mr Crosbie. "

"He had his turn with Lady Julia, " said Bell, "and we must have oursnow. "

"At any rate, Mrs Eames won't tell us to do our duty and to beware ofbeing too beautiful, " said Lily. 

Mary and John came into the room before their mother returned; thencame Mrs Eames, and a few minutes afterwards the cake and winearrived. It certainly was rather dull, as none of the party seemed tobe at their ease. The grandeur of Mr Crosbie was too great for MrsEames and her daughter, and John was almost silenced by the misery ofhis position. He had not yet answered Miss Roper's letter, nor had heeven made up his mind whether he would answer it or no. And then thesight of Lily's happiness did not fill him with all that friendly joywhich he should perhaps have felt as the friend of her childhood. Totell the truth, he hated Crosbie, and so he had told himself; and hadso told his sister also very frequently since the day of the party. 

"I tell you what it is, Molly, " he had said, "if there was any way ofdoing it, I'd fight that man. "

"What; and make Lily wretched?"

"She'll never be happy with him. I'm sure she won't. I don't want todo her any harm, but yet I'd like to fight that man, --if I only knewhow to manage it. "

And then he bethought himself that if they could both be slaughteredin such an encounter it would be the only fitting termination to thepresent state of things. In that way, too, there would be an escapefrom Amelia, and, at the present moment, he saw none other. 

When he entered the room he shook hands with all the party fromAllington, but, as he told his sister afterwards, his flesh creptwhen he touched Crosbie. Crosbie, as he contemplated the Eames familysitting stiff and ill at ease in their own drawing-room chairs, madeup his mind that it would be well that his wife should see as littleof John Eames as might be when she came to London;--not that he wasin any way jealous of her lover. He had learned everything fromLily, --all, at least, that Lily knew, --and regarded the matterrather as a good joke. "Don't see him too often, " he had said toher, "for fear he should make an ass of himself. " Lily had told himeverything, --all that she could tell; but yet he did not in the leastcomprehend that Lily had, in truth, a warm affection for the youngman whom he despised. 

"Thank you, no, " said Crosbie. "I never do take wine in the middle ofthe day. "

"But a bit of cake?" And Mrs Eames by her look implored him to doher so much honour. She implored Captain Dale, also, but they wereboth inexorable. I do not know that the two girls were at all moreinclined to eat and drink than the two men; but they understoodthat Mrs Eames would be broken-hearted if no one partook of herdelicacies. The little sacrifices of society are all made by women, as are also the great sacrifices of life. A man who is good foranything is always ready for his duty, and so is a good woman alwaysready for a sacrifice. 

"We really must go now, " said Bell, "because of the horses. " Andunder this excuse they got away. 

"You will come over before you go back to London, John?" said Lily, as he came out with the intention of helping her mount, from whichpurpose, however, he was forced to recede by the iron will of MrCrosbie. 

"Yes, I'll come over again--before I go. Good-bye. "

"Good-bye, John, " said Bell. "Good-bye, Eames, " said Captain Dale. Crosbie, as he seated himself in the saddle, made the very slightestsign of recognition, to which his rival would not condescend to payany attention. "I'll manage to have a fight with him in some way, "said Eames to himself as he walked back through the passage of hismother's house. And Crosbie, as he settled his feet in the stirrups, felt that he disliked the young man more and more. It would bemonstrous to suppose that there could be aught of jealousy in thefeeling; and yet he did dislike him very strongly, and felt almostangry with Lily for asking him to come again to Allington. "I mustput an end to all that, " he said to himself as he rode silently outof town. 

"You must not snub my friends, sir, " said Lily, smiling as she spoke, but yet with something of earnestness in her voice. They were out ofthe town by this time, and Crosbie had hardly uttered a word sincethey had left Mrs Eames's door. They were now on the high road, andBell and Bernard Dale were somewhat in advance of them. 

"I never snub anybody, " said Crosbie, petulantly; "that is unlessthey have absolutely deserved snubbing. "

"And have I deserved it? Because I seem to have got it, " said Lily. 

"Nonsense, Lily. I never snubbed you yet, and I don't think it likelythat I shall begin. But you ought not to accuse me of not being civilto your friends. In the first place I am as civil to them as mynature will allow me to be. And, in the second place--"

"Well; in the second place--?"

"I am not quite sure that you are very wise to encourage that youngman's friendship just at present. "

"That means, I suppose, that I am very wrong to do so?"

"No, dearest, it does not mean that. If I meant so I would tellyou so honestly. I mean just what I say. There can, I suppose, beno doubt that he has filled himself with some kind of romanticattachment for you, --a foolish kind of love which I don't suppose heever expected to gratify, but the idea of which lends a sort of graceto his life. When he meets some young woman fit to be his wife hewill forget all about it, but till then he will go about fancyinghimself a despairing lover. And then such a young man as John Eamesis very apt to talk of his fancies. "

"I don't believe for a moment that he would mention my name to anyone. "

"But, Lily, perhaps I may know more of young men than you do. "

"Yes, of course you do. "

"And I can assure you that they are generally too well inclined tomake free with the names of girls whom they think that they like. Youmust not be surprised if I am unwilling that any man should make freewith your name. "

After this Lily was silent for a minute or two. She felt that aninjustice was being done to her and she was not inclined to put upwith it, but she could not quite see where the injustice lay. A greatdeal was owing from her to Crosbie. In very much she was bound toyield to him, and she was anxious to do on his behalf even more thanher duty. But yet she had a strong conviction that it would not bewell that she should give way to him in everything. She wished tothink as he thought as far as possible, but she could not say thatshe agreed with him when she knew that she differed from him. JohnEames was an old friend whom she could not abandon, and so much atthe present time she felt herself obliged to say. 

"But, Adolphus--"

"Well, dearest?"

"You would not wish me to be unkind to so very old a friend as JohnEames? I have known him all my life, and we have all of us had a verygreat regard for the whole family. His father was my uncle's mostparticular friend. "

"I think, Lily, you must understand what I mean. I don't want you toquarrel with any of them, or to be what you call unkind. But you neednot give special and pressing invitations to this young man to comeand see you before he goes back to London, and then to come and seeyou directly you get to London. You tell me that he had some kind ofromantic idea of being in love with you;--of being in despair becauseyou are not in love with him. It's all great nonsense, no doubt, butit seems to me that under such circumstances you'd better--just leavehim alone. "

Again Lily was silent. These were her three last days, in which itwas her intention to be especially happy, but above all things tomake him especially happy. On no account would she say to him sharpwords, or encourage in her own heart a feeling of animosity againsthim, and yet she believed him to be wrong; and so believing couldhardly bring herself to bear the injury. Such was her nature, asa Dale. And let it be remembered that very many who can devotethemselves for great sacrifices, cannot bring themselves tothe endurance of little injuries. Lily could have given up anygratification for her lover, but she could not allow herself to havebeen in the wrong, believing herself to have been in the right. 

"I have asked him now, and he must come, " she said. 

"But do not press him to come any more. "

"Certainly not, after what you have said, Adolphus. If he comes overto Allington, he will see me in mamma's house, to which he has alwaysbeen made welcome by her. Of course I understand perfectly--"

"You understand what, Lily?"

But she had stopped herself, fearing that she might say that whichwould be offensive to him if she continued. 

"What is it you understand, Lily?"

"Do not press me to go on, Adolphus. As far as I can, I will do allthat you want me to do. "

"You meant to say that when you find yourself an inmate of my house, as a matter of course you could not ask your own friends to come andsee you. Was that gracious?"

"Whatever I may have meant to say, I did not say that. Nor in truthdid I mean it. Pray don't go on about it now. These are to be ourlast days, you know, and we shouldn't waste them by talking of thingsthat are unpleasant. After all poor Johnny Eames is nothing to me;nothing, nothing. How can any one be anything to me when I think ofyou?"

But even this did not bring Crosbie back at once into a pleasanthumour. Had Lily yielded to him and confessed that he was right, hewould have made himself at once as pleasant as the sun in May. Butthis she had not done. She had simply abstained from her argumentbecause she did not choose to be vexed, and had declared hercontinued purpose of seeing Eames on his promised visit. Crosbiewould have had her acknowledge herself wrong, and would havedelighted in the privilege of forgiving her. But Lily Dale was onewho did not greatly relish forgiveness, or any necessity of beingforgiven. So they rode on, if not in silence, without much joy intheir conversation. It was now late on the Monday afternoon, andCrosbie was to go early on the Wednesday morning. What if these threelast days should come to be marred with such terrible drawbacks asthese!

Bernard Dale had not spoken a word to his cousin of his suit, sincethey had been interrupted by Crosbie and Lily as they were lyingon the bank by the ha-ha. He had danced with her again and againat Mrs Dale's party, and had seemed to revert to his old modes ofconversation without difficulty. Bell, therefore, had believed thematter to be over, and was thankful to her cousin, declaring withinher own bosom that the whole matter should be treated by her asthough it had never happened. To no one, --not even to her mother, would she tell it. To such reticence she bound herself for his sake, feeling that he would be best pleased that it should be so. But nowas they rode on together, far in advance of the other couple, heagain returned to the subject. 

"Bell, " said he, "am I to have any hope?"

"Any hope as to what, Bernard?"

"I hardly know whether a man is bound to take a single answer on sucha subject. But this I know, that if a man's heart is concerned, he isnot very willing to do so. "

"When that answer has been given honestly and truly--"

"Oh, no doubt. I don't at all suppose that you were dishonest orfalse when you refused to allow me to speak to you. "

"But, Bernard, I did not refuse to allow you to speak to me. "

"Something very like it. But, however, I have no doubt you were trueenough. But, Bell, why should it be so? If you were in love with anyone else I could understand it. "

"I am not in love with any one else. "

"Exactly. And there are so many reasons why you and I should join ourfortunes together. "

"It cannot be a question of fortune, Bernard. "

"Do listen to me. Do let me speak, at any rate. I presume I may atleast suppose that you do not dislike me. "

"Oh, no. "

"And though you might not be willing to accept any man's hand merelyon a question of fortune, surely the fact that our marriage would bein every way suitable as regards money should not set you against it. Of my own love for you I will not speak further, as I do not doubtthat you believe what I say; but should you not question your ownfeelings very closely before you determine to oppose the wishes ofall those who are nearest to you?"

"Do you mean mamma, Bernard?"

"Not her especially, though I cannot but think she would like amarriage that would keep all the family together, and would give youan equal claim to the property to that which I have. "

"That would not have a feather's-weight with mamma. "

"Have you asked her?"

"No, I have mentioned the matter to no one. "

"Then you cannot know. And as to my uncle, I have the means ofknowing that it is the great desire of his life. I must say that Ithink some consideration for him should induce you to pause beforeyou give a final answer, even though no consideration for me shouldhave any weight with you. "

"I would do more for you than for him, --much more. "

"Then do this for me. Allow me to think that I have not yet had ananswer to my proposal; give me to this day month, to Christmas; tillany time that you like to name, so that I may think that it is notyet settled, and may tell Uncle Christopher that such is the case. "

"Bernard, it would be useless. "

"It would at any rate show him that you are willing to think of it. "

"But I am not willing to think of it;--not in that way. I do know myown mind thoroughly, and I should be very wrong if I were to deceiveyou. "

"And you wish me to give that as your only answer to my uncle?"

"To tell the truth, Bernard, I do not much care what you may say tomy uncle in this matter. He can have no right to interfere in thedisposal of my hand, and therefore I need not regard his wishes onthe subject. I will explain to you in one word what my feelings areabout it. I would accept no man in opposition to mamma's wishes; butnot even for her could I accept any man in opposition to my own. Butas concerns my uncle, I do not feel myself called on to consult himin any way on such a matter. "

"And yet he is the head of our family. "

"I don't care anything about the family, --not in that way. "

"And he has been very generous to you all. "

"That I deny. He has not been generous to mamma. He is very hardand ungenerous to mamma. He lets her have that house because he isanxious that the Dales should seem to be respectable before theworld; and she lives in it, because she thinks it better for us thatshe should do so. If I had my way, she should leave it to-morrow--or, at any rate, as soon as Lily is married. I would much sooner go intoGuestwick, and live as the Eames do. "

"I think you are ungrateful, Bell. "

"No; I am not ungrateful. And as to consulting, Bernard, I should bemuch more inclined to consult you than him about my marriage. If youwould let me look on you altogether as a brother, I should thinklittle of promising to marry no one whom you did not approve. "

But such an agreement between them would by no means have suitedBernard's views. He had thought, some four or five weeks back, thathe was not personally very anxious for this match. He had declared tohimself that he liked his cousin well enough; that it would be a goodthing for him to settle himself; that his uncle was reasonable in hiswishes and sufficiently liberal in his offers; and that, therefore, he would marry. It had hardly occurred to him as probable that hiscousin would reject so eligible an offer, and had certainly neveroccurred to him that he would have to suffer anything from suchrejection. He had entertained none of that feeling of which loversspeak when they declare that they are staking their all upon thehazard of a die. It had not seemed to him that he was stakinganything, as he gently told his tale of languid love, lying onthe turf by the ha-ha. He had not regarded the possibility ofdisappointment, of sorrow, and of a deeply-vexed mind. He would havefelt but little triumph if accepted, and had not thought that hecould be humiliated by any rejection. In this frame of mind he hadgone to his work; but now he found, to his own surprise, that thisgirl's answer had made him absolutely unhappy. Having expressed awish for this thing, the very expression of the wish made him long topossess it. He found, as he rode along silently by her side, that hewas capable of more earnestness of desire than he had known himselfto possess. He was at this moment unhappy, disappointed, anxious, distrustful of the future, and more intent on one special toy than hehad ever been before, even as a boy. He was vexed, and felt himselfto be sore at heart. He looked round at her, as she sat silent, quiet, and somewhat sad upon her pony, and declared to himself thatshe was very beautiful, --that she was a thing to be gained if stillthere might be the possibility of gaining her. He felt that he reallyloved her, and yet he was almost angry with himself for so feeling. Why had he subjected himself to this numbing weakness? His lovehad never given him any pleasure. Indeed he had never hithertoacknowledged it; but now he was driven to do so on finding it to bethe source of trouble and pain. I think it is open to us to doubtwhether, even yet, Bernard Dale was in love with his cousin; whetherhe was not rather in love with his own desire. But against himself hefound a verdict that he was in love, and was angry with himself andwith all the world. 

"Ah, Bell, " he said, coming close up to her, "I wish you couldunderstand how I love you. " And, as he spoke, his cousinunconsciously recognised more of affection in his tone, and less ofthat spirit of bargaining which had seemed to pervade all his formerpleas, than she had ever found before. 

"And do I not love you? Have I not offered to be to you in allrespects as a sister?"

"That is nothing. Such an offer to me now is simply laughing at me. Bell, I tell you what, --I will not give you up. The fact is, you donot know me yet, --not know me as you must know any man before youchoose him for your husband. You and Lily are not alike in this. You are cautious, doubtful of yourself, and perhaps, also, somewhatdoubtful of others. My heart is set upon this, and I shall still tryto succeed. "

"Ah, Bernard, do not say that! Believe me, when I tell you that itcan never be. "

"No; I will not believe you. I will not allow myself to be madeutterly wretched. I tell you fairly that I will not believe you. Imay surely hope if I choose to hope. No, Bell, I will never give youup, --unless, indeed, I should see you become another man's wife. "

As he said this, they all turned in through the squire's gate, androde up to the yard in which it was their habit to dismount fromtheir horses. 

CHAPTER XIV

John Eames Takes a Walk

John Eames watched the party of cavaliers as they rode away from hismother's door, and then started upon a solitary walk, as soon asthe noise of the horses' hoofs had passed away out of the street. He was by no means happy in his mind as he did so. Indeed, he wasoverwhelmed with care and trouble, and as he went along very gloomythoughts passed through his mind. Had he not better go to Australia, or Vancouver's Island, or--? I will not name the places which thepoor fellow suggested to himself as possible terminations of the longjourneys which he might not improbably be called upon to take. Thatvery day, just before the Dales had come in, he had received a secondletter from his darling Amelia, written very closely upon the heelsof the first. Why had he not answered her? Was he ill? Was he untrue?No; she would not believe that, and therefore fell back upon theprobability of his illness. If it was so, she would rush down tosee him. Nothing on earth should keep her from the bedside of herbetrothed. If she did not get an answer from her beloved John byreturn of post, she would be down with him at Guestwick by theexpress train. Here was a position for such a young man as JohnEames! And of Amelia Roper we may say that she was a young woman whowould not give up her game, as long as the least chance remained ofher winning it. "I must go somewhere, " John said to himself, as heput on his slouched hat and wandered forth through the back streetsof Guestwick. What would his mother say when she heard of AmeliaRoper? What would she say when she saw her?

He walked away towards the Manor, so that he might roam about theGuestwick woods in solitude. There was a path with a stile, leadingoff from the high road, about half a mile beyond the lodges throughwhich the Dales had ridden up to the house, and by this path JohnEames turned in, and went away till he had left the Manor housebehind him, and was in the centre of the Guestwick woods. He knewthe whole ground well, having roamed there ever since he was firstallowed to go forth upon his walks alone. He had thought of Lily Daleby the hour together, as he had lost himself among the oak-trees; butin those former days he had thought of her with some pleasure. Now hecould only think of her as of one gone from him for ever; and thenhe had also to think of her whom he had taken to himself in Lily'splace. 

Young men, very young men, --men so young that it may be almost aquestion whether or no they have as yet reached their manhood, --aremore inclined to be earnest and thoughtful when alone than they everare when with others, even though those others be their elders. Ifancy that, as we grow old ourselves, we are apt to forget that itwas so with us; and, forgetting it, we do not believe that it isso with our children. We constantly talk of the thoughtlessness ofyouth. I do not know whether we might not more appropriately speak ofits thoughtfulness. It is, however, no doubt, true that thought willnot at once produce wisdom. It may almost be a question whether suchwisdom as many of us have in our mature years has not come from thedying out of the power of temptation, rather than as the results ofthought and resolution. Men, full fledged and at their work, are, forthe most part, too busy for much thought; but lads, on whom the workof the world has not yet fallen with all its pressure, --they havetime for thinking. 

And thus John Eames was thoughtful. They who knew him best accountedhim to be a gay, good-hearted, somewhat reckless young man, open totemptation, but also open to good impressions; as to whom no greatsuccess could be predicated, but of whom his friends might fairlyhope that he might so live as to bring upon them no disgrace andnot much trouble. But, above all things, they would have called himthoughtless. In so calling him, they judged him wrong. He was everthinking, --thinking much of the world as it appeared to him, and ofhimself as he appeared to the world; and thinking, also, of thingsbeyond the world. What was to be his fate here and hereafter? LilyDale was gone from him, and Amelia Roper was hanging round his necklike a mill-stone! What, under such circumstances, was to be his fatehere and hereafter?

We may say that the difficulties in his way were not as yet verygreat. As to Lily, indeed, he had no room for hope; but, then, hislove for Lily had, perhaps, been a sentiment rather than a passion. Most young men have to go through that disappointment, and areenabled to bear it without much injury to their prospects orhappiness. And in after-life the remembrance of such love is ablessing rather than a curse, enabling the possessor of it to feelthat in those early days there was something within him of which hehad no cause to be ashamed. I do not pity John Eames much in regardto Lily Dale. And then, as to Amelia Roper, --had he achieved but atithe of that lady's experience in the world, or possessed a quarterof her audacity, surely such a difficulty as that need not havestood much in his way! What could Amelia do to him if he fairly toldher that he was not minded to marry her? In very truth he had neverpromised to do so. He was in no way bound to her, not even by honour. Honour, indeed, with such as her! But men are cowards before womenuntil they become tyrants; and are easy dupes, till of a sudden theyrecognise the fact that it is pleasanter to be the victimiser thanthe victim, --and as easy. There are men, indeed, who never learn thelatter lesson. 

But, though the cause for fear was so slight, poor John Eames wasthoroughly afraid. Little things which, in connection with so deepa sorrow as his, it is almost ridiculous to mention, added to hisembarrassments, and made an escape from them seem to him to beimpossible. He could not return to London without going to BurtonCrescent, because his clothes were there, and because he owed to MrsRoper some small sum of money which on his return to London he wouldnot have immediately in his pocket. He must therefore meet Amelia, and he knew that he had not the courage to tell a girl, face to face, that he did not love her, after he had been once induced to say thathe did do so. His boldest conception did not go beyond the writingof a letter in which he would renounce her, and removing himselfaltogether from that quarter of the town in which Burton Crescent wassituated. But then about his clothes, and that debt of his? And whatif Amelia should in the meantime come down to Guestwick and claimhim? Could he in his mother's presence declare that she had no rightto make such claim? The difficulties, in truth, were not very great, but they were too heavy for that poor young clerk from the Income-taxOffice. 

You will declare that he must have been a fool and a coward. Yethe could read and understand Shakespeare. He knew much, --by fartoo much, --of Byron's poetry by heart. He was a deep critic, oftenwriting down his criticisms in a lengthy journal which he kept. Hecould write quickly, and with understanding; and I may declare thatmen at his office had already ascertained that he was no fool. Heknew his business, and could do it, --as many men failed to do whowere much less foolish before the world. And as to that matter ofcowardice, he would have thought it the greatest blessing in theworld to be shut up in a room with Crosbie, having permission tofight with him till one of them should have been brought by stressof battle to give up his claim to Lily Dale. Eames was no coward. Hefeared no man on earth. But he was terribly afraid of Amelia Roper. 

He wandered about through the old Manor woods very ill at ease. Thepost from Guestwick went out at seven, and he must at once make uphis mind whether or no he would write to Amelia on that day. He mustalso make up his mind as to what he would say to her. He felt that heshould at least answer her letter, let his answer be what it might. Should he promise to marry her, --say, in ten or twelve years' time?Should he tell her that he was a blighted being, unfit for love, andwith humility entreat of her that he might be excused? Or should hewrite to her mother, telling her that Burton Crescent would not suithim any longer, promising her to send the balance on receipt of hisnext payment, and asking her to send his clothes in a bundle to theIncome-tax Office? Or should he go home to his own mother, and boldlytell it all to her?

He at last resolved that he must write the letter, and as he composedit in his mind he sat himself down beneath an old tree which stood ona spot at which many of the forest tracks met and crossed each other. The letter, as he framed it here, was not a bad letter, if only hecould have got it written and posted. Every word of it he chose withprecision, and in his mind he emphasised every expression which toldhis mind clearly and justified his purpose. "He acknowledged himselfto have been wrong in misleading his correspondent, and allowing herto imagine that she possessed his heart. He had not a heart at herdisposal. He had been weak not to write to her before, having beendeterred from doing so by the fear of giving her pain; but now hefelt that he was bound in honour to tell her the truth. Havingso told her, he would not return to Burton Crescent, if it wouldpain her to see him there. He would always have a deep regard forher, "--oh, Johnny!--"and would hope anxiously that her welfare inlife might be complete. " That was the letter, as he wrote it on thetablets of his mind under the tree; but the getting it put on topaper was a task, as he knew, of greater difficulty. Then, as herepeated it to himself, he fell asleep. 

"Young man, " said a voice in his ear as he slept. At first the voicespoke as a voice from his dream without waking him, but when it wasrepeated, he sat up and saw that a stout gentleman was standing overhim. For a moment he did not know where he was, or how he had comethere; nor could he recollect, as he saw the trees about him, howlong he had been in the wood. But he knew the stout gentleman wellenough, though he had not seen him for more than two years. "Youngman, " said the voice, "if you want to catch rheumatism, that's theway to do it. Why, it's young Eames, isn't it?"

"Yes, my lord, " said Johnny, raising himself up so that he was nowsitting, instead of lying, as he looked up into the earl's rosy face. 

"I knew your father, and a very good man he was; only he shouldn'thave taken to farming. People think they can farm without learningthe trade, but that's a very great mistake. I can farm, because I'velearned it. Don't you think you'd better get up?" Whereupon Johnnyraised himself to his feet. "Not but what you're very welcome to liethere if you like it. Only, in October, you know--"

"I'm afraid I'm trespassing, my lord, " said Eames. "I came in off thepath, and--"

"You're welcome; you're very welcome. If you'll come up to the house, I'll give you some luncheon. " This hospitable offer, however, Johnnydeclined, alleging that it was late, and that he was going home todinner. 

"Come along, " said the earl. "You can't go any shorter way than bythe house. Dear, dear, how well I remember your father. He was a muchcleverer man than I am, --very much; but he didn't know how to send abeast to market any better than a child. By-the-by, they have put youinto a public office, haven't they?"

"Yes, my lord. "

"And a very good thing, too, --a very good thing, indeed. But why wereyou asleep in the wood? It isn't warm, you know. I call it rathercold. " And the earl stopped, and looked at him, scrutinising him, asthough resolved to inquire into so deep a mystery. 

"I was taking a walk, and thinking of something, I sat down. "

"Leave of absence, I suppose?"

"Yes, my lord. "

"Have you got into trouble? You look as though you were in trouble. Your poor father used to be in trouble. "

"I haven't taken to farming, " said Johnny, with an attempt at asmile. 

"Ha, ha, ha, --quite right. No, don't take to farming. Unless youlearn it, you know, you might just as well take to shoemaking;--justthe same. You haven't got into trouble, then; eh?"

"No, my lord, not particularly. "

"Not particularly! I know very well that young men do get intotrouble when they get up to London. If you want any--any advice, orthat sort of thing, you may come to me; for I knew your father well. Do you like shooting?"

"I never did shoot anything. "

"Well, perhaps better not. To tell the truth, I'm not very fond ofyoung men who take to shooting without having anything to shoot at. By-the-by, now I think of it, I'll send your mother some game. " Itmay, however, here be fair to mention that game very often camefrom Guestwick Manor to Mrs Eames. "And look here, cold pheasantfor breakfast is the best thing I know of. Pheasants at dinner arerubbish, --mere rubbish. Here we are at the house. Will you come inand have a glass of wine?"

But this John Eames declined, pleasing the earl better by doingso than he would have done by accepting it. Not that the lord wasinhospitable or insincere in his offer, but he preferred that such aone as John Eames should receive his proffered familiarity withouttoo much immediate assurance. He felt that Eames was a little in aweof his companion's rank, and he liked him the better for it. He likedhim the better for it, and was a man apt to remember his likings. "Ifyou won't come in, Good-bye, " and he gave Johnny his hand. 

"Good-evening, my lord, " said Johnny. 

"And remember this; it is the deuce of a thing to have rheumatism inyour loins. I wouldn't go to sleep under a tree, if I were you, --notin October. But you're always welcome to go anywhere about theplace. "

"Thank you, my lord. "

"And if you should take to shooting, --but I dare say you won't; andif you come to trouble, and want advice, or that sort of thing, writeto me. I knew your father well. " And so they parted, Eames returningon his road towards Guestwick. 

For some reason, which he could not define, he felt better after hisinterview with the earl. There had been something about the fat, good-natured, sensible old man, which had cheered him, in spite ofhis sorrow. "Pheasants for dinner are rubbish, --mere rubbish, " hesaid to himself, over and over again, as he went along the road;and they were the first words which he spoke to his mother, afterentering the house. 

"I wish we had some of that sort of rubbish, " said she. 

"So you will, to-morrow"; and then he described to her his interview. 

"The earl was, at any rate, quite right about lying upon the ground. I wonder you can be so foolish. And he is right about your poorfather too. But you have got to change your boots; and we shall beready for dinner almost immediately. "

But Johnny Eames, before he sat down to dinner, did write his letterto Amelia, and did go out to post it with his own hands, --much tohis mother's annoyance. But the letter would not get itself writtenin that strong and appropriate language which had come to him as hewas roaming through the woods. It was a bald letter, and somewhatcowardly withal. 

 DEAR AMELIA [the letter ran], I have received both of yours; and did not answer the first because I felt that there was a difficulty in expressing what I wish to say; and now it will be better that you should allow the subject to stand over till I am back in town. I shall be there in ten days from this. I have been quite well, and am so; but of course am much obliged by your inquiries. I know you will think this very cold; but when I tell you everything, you will agree with me that it is best. If I were to marry, I know that we should be unhappy, because we should have nothing to live on. If I have ever said anything to deceive you, I beg your pardon with all my heart;--but perhaps it will be better to let the subject remain till we shall meet again in London. 

 Believe me to be

 Your most sincere friend, And I may say admirer, --[Oh, John Eames!]

 JOHN EAMES. 

CHAPTER XV

The Last Day

Last days are wretched days; and so are last moments wretchedmoments. It is not the fact that the parting is coming which makesthese days and moments so wretched, but the feeling that somethingspecial is expected from them, which something they always fail toproduce. Spasmodic periods of pleasure, of affection, or even ofstudy, seldom fail of disappointment when premeditated. When lastdays are coming, they should be allowed to come and to glide awaywithout special notice or mention. And as for last moments, thereshould be none such. Let them ever be ended, even before theirpresence has been acknowledged. 

But Lily Dale had not yet been taught these lessons by her world'sexperience, and she expected that this sweetest cup of which she hadever drank should go on being sweet--sweeter and still sweeter--aslong as she could press it to her lips. How the dregs had come to mixthemselves with the last drops we have already seen; and on that sameday, --on the Monday evening, --the bitter task still remained; forCrosbie, as they walked about through the gardens in the evening, found other subjects on which he thought it necessary to give hersundry hints, intended for her edification, which came to her withmuch of the savour of a lecture. A girl, when she is thoroughly inlove, as surely was the case with Lily, likes to receive hints as toher future life from the man to whom she is devoted; but she would, I think, prefer that such hints should be short, and that the lessonshould be implied rather than declared;--that they should, in fact, be hints and not lectures. Crosbie, who was a man of tact, whounderstood the world and had been dealing with women for many years, no doubt understood all this as well as we do. But he had come toentertain a notion that he was an injured man, that he was givingvery much more than was to be given to him, and that therefore hewas entitled to take liberties which might not fairly be withinthe reach of another lover. My reader will say that in all this hewas ungenerous. Well; he was ungenerous. I do not know that I haveever said that much generosity was to be expected from him. He hadsome principles of right and wrong under the guidance of which itmay perhaps be hoped that he will not go utterly astray; but hispast life had not been of a nature to make him unselfish. He wasungenerous, and Lily felt it, though she would not acknowledge iteven to herself. She had been very open with him, --acknowledging thedepth of her love for him; telling him that he was now all in all toher; that life without his love would be impossible to her: and in acertain way he took advantage of these strong avowals, treating heras though she were a creature utterly in his power;--as indeed shewas. 

On that evening he said no more of Johnny Eames, but said much ofthe difficulty of a man establishing himself with a wife in London, who had nothing but his own moderate income on which to rely. He didnot in so many words tell her that if her friends could make up forher two or three thousand pounds, --that being much less than he hadexpected when he first made his offer, --this terrible difficultywould be removed; but he said enough to make her understand that theworld would call him very imprudent in taking a girl who had nothing. And as he spoke of these things, Lily remaining for the most partsilent as he did so, it occurred to him that he might talk to herfreely of his past life, --more freely than he would have done had hefeared that he might lose her by any such disclosures. He had no fearof losing her. Alas! might it not be possible that he had some suchhope!

He told her that his past life had been expensive; that, though hewas not in debt, he had lived up to every shilling that he had, andthat he had contracted habits of expenditure which it would be almostimpossible for him to lay aside at a day's notice. Then he spoke ofentanglements, meaning, as he did so, to explain more fully what weretheir nature, --but not daring to do so when he found that Lily wasaltogether in the dark as to what he meant. No; he was not a generousman, --a very ungenerous man. And yet, during all this time, hethought that he was guided by principle. "It will be best that Ishould be honest with her, " he said to himself. And then he toldhimself, scores of times, that when making his offer he had expected, and had a right to expect, that she would not be penniless. Underthose circumstances he had done the best he could for her--offeringher his heart honestly, with a quick readiness to make her his ownat the earliest day that she might think possible. Had he been morecautious, he need not have fallen into this cruel mistake; but she, at any rate, could not quarrel with him for his imprudence. Andstill he was determined to stand by his engagement and willing tomarry her, although, as he the more thought of it, he felt the morestrongly that he would thereby ruin his prospects, and thrust beyondhis own reach all those good things which he had hoped to win. Ashe continued to talk to her he gave himself special credit for hisgenerosity, and felt that he was only doing his duty by her inpointing out to her all the difficulties which lay in the way oftheir marriage. 

At first Lily said some words intended to convey an assurance thatshe would be the most economical wife that man ever had, but shesoon ceased from such promises as these. Her perceptions were keen, and she discovered that the difficulties of which he was afraid werethose which he must overcome before his marriage, not any which mightbe expected to overwhelm him after it. "A cheap and nasty ménagewould be my aversion, " he said to her. "It is that which I want toavoid, --chiefly for your sake. " Then she promised him that she wouldwait patiently for his time--"even though it should be for sevenyears, " she said, looking up into his face and trying to find theresome sign of approbation. "That's nonsense, " he said. "People arenot patriarchs nowadays. I suppose we shall have to wait two years. And that's a deuce of a bore, --a terrible bore. " And there was thatin the tone of his voice which grated on her feelings, and made herwretched for the moment. 

As he parted with her for the night on her own side of the littlebridge which led from one garden to the other, he put his arm roundher to embrace her and kiss her, as he had often done at that spot. It had become a habit with them to say their evening farewells there, and the secluded little nook amongst the shrubs was inexpressiblydear to Lily. But on the present occasion she made an effort to avoidhis caress. She turned from him--very slightly, but it was enough, and he felt it. "Are you angry with me?" he said. "Oh, no! Adolphus;how can I be angry with you?" And then she turned to him and gave himher face to kiss almost before he had again asked for it. "He shallnot at any rate think that I am unkind to him, --and it will notmatter now, " she said to herself, as she walked slowly across thelawn, in the dark, up to her mother's drawing-room window. 

"Well, dearest, " said Mrs Dale, who was there alone; "did the beardswag merry in the Great Hall this evening?" That was a joke with them, for neither Crosbie nor Bernard Dale used a razor at his toilet. 

"Not specially merry. And I think it was my fault, for I have aheadache. Mamma, I believe I will go at once to bed. "

"My darling, is there anything wrong?"

"Nothing, mamma. But we had such a long ride; and then Adolphus isgoing, and of course we have so much to say. To-morrow will be thelast day, for I shall only just see him on Wednesday morning; and asI want to be well, if possible, I'll go to bed. " And so she took hercandle and went. 

When Bell came up, Lily was still awake, but she begged her sisternot to disturb her. "Don't talk to me, Bell, " she said. "I'm tryingto make myself quiet, and I half feel that I should get childish ifI went on talking. I have almost more to think of than I know how tomanage. " And she strove, not altogether unsuccessfully, to speak witha cheery tone, as though the cares which weighed upon her were notunpleasant in their nature. Then her sister kissed her and left herto her thoughts. 

And she had great matter for thinking; so great, that many hourssounded in her ears from the clock on the stairs before she broughther thoughts to a shape that satisfied herself. She did so bring themat last, and then she slept. She did so bring them, toiling over herwork with tears that made her pillow wet, with heart-burning andalmost with heart-breaking, with much doubting, and many anxious, eager inquiries within her own bosom as to that which she ought todo, and that which she could endure to do. But at last her resolvewas taken, and then she slept. 

It had been agreed between them that Crosbie should come down tothe Small House on the next day after breakfast, and remain theretill the time came for riding. But Lily determined to alter thisarrangement, and accordingly put on her hat immediately afterbreakfast, and posted herself at the bridge, so as to intercept herlover as he came. He soon appeared with his friend Dale, and she atonce told him her purpose. 

"I want to have a talk with you, Adolphus, before you go in to mamma;so come with me into the field. "

"All right, " said he. 

"And Bernard can finish his cigar on the lawn. Mamma and Bell willjoin him there. "

"All right, " said Bernard. So they separated; and Crosbie went awaywith Lily into the field where they had first learned to know eachother in those haymaking days. 

She did not say much till they were well away from the house; butanswered what words he chose to speak, --not knowing very well of whathe spoke. But when she considered that they had reached the properspot, she began very abruptly. 

"Adolphus, " she said, "I have something to say to you, --something towhich you must listen very carefully. " Then he looked at her, and atonce knew that she was in earnest. 

"This is the last day on which I could say it, " she continued; "andI am very glad that I have not let the last day go by without sayingit. I should not have known how to put it in a letter. "

"What is it, Lily?"

"And I do not know that I can say it properly; but I hope that youwill not be hard upon me. Adolphus, if you wish that all this betweenus should be over, I will consent. "

"Lily!"

"I mean what I say. If you wish it, I will consent; and when I havesaid so, proposing it myself, you may be quite sure that I shallnever blame you, if you take me at my word. "

"Are you tired of me, Lily?"

"No. I shall never be tired of you, --never weary with loving you. Idid not wish to say so now; but I will answer your question boldly. Tired of you! I fancy that a girl can never grow tired of her lover. But I would sooner die in the struggle than be the cause of yourruin. It would be better--in every way better. "

"I have said nothing of being ruined. "

"But listen to me. I should not die if you left me, --not be utterlybroken-hearted. Nothing on earth can I ever love as I have loved you. But I have a God and a Saviour that will be enough for me. I canturn to them with content, if it be well that you should leave me. Ihave gone to them, and--" But at this moment she could utter no morewords. She had broken down in her effort, losing her voice throughthe strength of her emotion. As she did not choose that he should seeher overcome, she turned from him and walked away across the grass. 

Of course he followed her; but he was not so quick after her but thattime had been given to her to recover herself. "It is true, " shesaid. "I have the strength of which I tell you. Though I have givenmyself to you as your wife, I can bear to be divorced from younow, --now. And, my love, though it may sound heartless, I wouldsooner be so divorced from you, than cling to you as a log that mustdrag you down under the water, and drown you in trouble and care. Iwould;--indeed I would. If you go, of course that kind of thing isover for me. But the world has more than that, --much more; and Iwould make myself happy, --yes, my love, I would be happy. You neednot fear that. "

"But, Lily, why is all this said to me here to-day?"

"Because it is my duty to say it. I understand all your position now, though it is only now. It never flashed on me till yesterday. Whenyou proposed to me, you thought that I--that I had some fortune. "

"Never mind that now, Lily. "

"But you did. I see it all now. I ought perhaps to have told you thatit was not so. There has been the mistake, and we are both sufferers. But we need not make the suffering deeper than needs be. My love, youare free, --from this moment. And even my heart shall not blame youfor accepting your freedom. "

"And are you afraid of poverty?" he asked her. 

"I am afraid of poverty for you. You and I have lived differently. Luxuries, of which I know nothing, have been your daily comforts. Itell you I can bear to part with you, but I cannot bear to become thesource of your unhappiness. Yes; I will bear it; and none shall darein my hearing to speak against you. I have brought you here to saythe word; nay, more than that, --to advise you to say it. "

He stood silent for a moment, during which he held her by the hand. She was looking into his face, but he was looking away into theclouds; striving to appear as though he was the master of theoccasion. But during those moments his mind was wracked with doubt. What if he should take her at her word? Some few would say bitterthings against him, but such bitter things had been said against manyanother man without harming him. Would it not be well for both if heshould take her at her word? She would recover and love again, asother girls had done; and as for him, he would thus escape from theruin at which he had been gazing for the last week past. For it wasruin, --utter ruin. He did love her; so he declared to himself. Butwas he a man who ought to throw the world away for love? Such menthere were; but was he one of them? Could he be happy in that smallhouse, somewhere near the New Road, with five children and horridmisgivings as to the baker's bill? Of all men living, was not he thelast that should have allowed himself to fall into such a trap? Allthis passed through his mind as he turned his face up to the cloudswith a look that was intended to be grand and noble. 

"Speak to me, Adolphus, and say that it shall be so. "

Then his heart misgave him, and he lacked the courage to extricatehimself from his trouble; or, as he afterwards said to himself, hehad not the heart to do it. "If I understand you, rightly, Lily, allthis comes from no want of love on your own part?"

"Want of love on my part? But you should not ask me that. "

"Until you tell me that there is such a want, I will agree to noparting. " Then he took her hand and put it within his arm. "No, Lily; whatever may be our cares and troubles, we are boundtogether, --indissolubly. "

"Are we?" said she; and as she spoke, her voice trembled, and herhand shook. 

"Much too firmly for any such divorce as that. No, Lily, I claim theright to tell you all my troubles; but I shall not let you go. "

"But, Adolphus--" and the hand on his arm was beginning to cling toit again. 

"Adolphus, " said he, "has got nothing more to say on that subject. Heexercises the right which he believes to be his own, and chooses toretain the prize which he has won. "

She was now clinging to him in very truth. "Oh, my love!" she said. "I do not know how to say it again. It is of you that I amthinking;--of you, of you!"

"I know you are; but you have misunderstood me a little; that's all. "

"Have I? Then listen to me again, once more, my heart's own darling, my love, my husband, my lord! If I cannot be to you at once likeRuth, and never cease from coming after you, my thoughts to you shallbe like those of Ruth;--if aught but death part thee and me, may Goddo so to me and more also. " Then she fell upon his breast and wept. 

He still hardly understood the depth of her character. He was nothimself deep enough to comprehend it all. But yet he was awed by hergreat love, and exalted to a certain solemnity of feeling which forthe time made him rejoice in his late decision. For a few hours hewas minded to throw the world behind him, and wear this woman, assuch a woman should be worn, --as a comforter to him in all things, and a strong shield against great troubles. "Lily, " he said, "my ownLily!"

"Yes, your own, to take when you please, and leave untaken while youplease; and as much your own in one way as in the other. " Then shelooked up again, and essayed to laugh as she did so. "You will thinkI am frantic, but I am so happy. I don't care about your going now;indeed I don't. There; you may go now, this minute, if you like it. "And she withdrew her hand from his. "I feel so differently from whatI have done for the last few days. I am so glad you have spoken to meas you did. Of course I ought to bear all those things with you. ButI cannot be unhappy about it now. I wonder if I went to work and madea lot of things, whether that would help?"

"A set of shirts for me, for instance?"

"I could do that, at any rate. "

"It may come to that yet, some of these days. "

"I pray God that it may. " Then again she was serious, and the tearscame once more into her eyes. "I pray God that it may. To be of useto you, --to work for you, --to do something for you that may have init some sober, earnest purport of usefulness, --that is what I wantabove all things. I want to be with you at once that I may be ofservice to you. Would that you and I were alone together, that Imight do everything for you. I sometimes think that a very poor man'swife is the happiest, because she does do everything. "

"You shall do everything very soon, " said he; and then they saunteredalong pleasantly through the morning hours, and when they againappeared at Mrs Dale's table, Mrs Dale and Bell were astonished atLily's brightness. All her old ways had seemed to return to her, andshe made her little saucy speeches to Mr Crosbie as she had used todo when he was first becoming fascinated by her sweetness. "You knowthat you'll be such a swell when you get to that countess's housethat you'll forget all about Allington. "

"Of course I shall, " said he. 

"And the paper you write upon will be all over coronets, --that is, ifever you do write. Perhaps you will to Bernard some day, just to showthat you are staying at a castle. "

"You certainly don't deserve that he should write to you, " sad MrsDale. 

"I don't expect it for a moment, --not till he gets back to Londonand finds that he has nothing else to do at his office. But I shouldso like to see how you and Lady Julia get on together. It was quiteclear that she regarded you as an ogre; didn't she, Bell?"

"So many people are ogres to Lady Julia, " said Bell. 

"I believe Lady Julia to be a very good woman, " said Mrs Dale, "and Iwon't have her abused. "

"Particularly before poor Bernard, who is her pet nephew, " said Lily. "I dare say Adolphus will become a pet too when she has been a weekwith him at Courcy Castle. Do try and cut Bernard out. "

From all which Mrs Dale learned that some care which had sat heavyon Lily's heart was now lightened, if not altogether removed. Shehad asked no questions of her daughter, but she had perceived duringthe past few days that Lily was in trouble, and she knew that suchtrouble had arisen from her engagement. She had asked no questions, but of course she had been told what was Mr Crosbie's income, andhad been made to understand that it was not to be considered asamply sufficient for all the wants of matrimony. There was littledifficulty in guessing what was the source of Lily's care, and aslittle in now perceiving that something had been said between them bywhich that care had been relieved. 

After that they all rode, and the afternoon went by pleasantly. Itwas the last day indeed, but Lily had determined that she would notbe sad. She had told him that he might go now, and that she wouldnot be discontented at his going. She knew that the morrow would bevery blank to her; but she struggled to live up to the spirit of herpromise, and she succeeded. They all dined at the Great House, evenMrs Dale doing so upon this occasion. When they had come in from thegarden in the evening, Crosbie talked more to Mrs Dale than he dideven to Lily, while Lily sat a little distant, listening with all herears, sometimes saying a low-toned word, and happy beyond expressionin the feeling that her mother and her lover should understand eachother. And it must be understood that Crosbie at this time was fullydetermined to conquer the difficulties of which he had thought somuch, and to fix the earliest day which might be possible for hismarriage. The solemnity of that meeting in the field still hungabout him, and gave to his present feelings a manliness and atruth of purpose which were too generally wanting to them. If onlythose feelings would last! But now he talked to Mrs Dale about herdaughter, and about their future prospects, in a tone which he couldnot have used had not his mind for the time been true to her. Hehad never spoken so freely to Lily's mother, and at no time had MrsDale felt for him so much of a mother's love. He apologised for thenecessity of some delay, arguing that he could not endure to see hisyoung wife without the comfort of a home of her own, and that hewas now, as he always had been, afraid of incurring debt. Mrs Daledisliked waiting engagements, --as do all mothers, --but she could notanswer unkindly to such pleading as this. 

"Lily is so very young, " she said, "that she may well wait for a yearor so. "

"For seven years, " said Lily, jumping up and whispering into hermother's ear. "I shall hardly be six-and-twenty then, which is not atall too old. "

And so the evening passed away very pleasantly. 

"God bless you, Adolphus!" Mrs Dale said to him, as she parted withhim at her own door. It was the first time that she had called him byhis Christian name. "I hope you understand how much we are trustingto you. "

"I do, --I do, " said he, as he pressed her hand. Then as he walkedback alone, he swore to himself, binding himself to the oath withall his heart, that he would be true to those women, --both to thedaughter and to the mother; for the solemnity of the morning wasstill upon him. 

He was to start the next morning before eight, Bernard havingundertaken to drive him over to the railway at Guestwick. Thebreakfast was on the table shortly after seven; and just as the twomen had come down, Lily entered the room, with her hat and shawl. "Isaid I would be in to pour out your tea, " said she; and then she satherself down over against the teapot. 

It was a silent meal, for people do not know what to say in thoselast minutes. And Bernard, too, was there; proving how true is theadage which says, that two are company, but that three are not. Ithink that Lily was wrong to come up on that last morning; but shewould not hear of letting him start without seeing him, when herlover had begged her not to put herself to so much trouble. Trouble!Would she not have sat up all night to see even the last of the topof his hat?

Then Bernard, muttering something about the horse, went away. "I haveonly one minute to speak to you, " said she, jumping up, "and I havebeen thinking all night of what I had to say. It is so easy to think, and so hard to speak. "

"My darling, I understand it all. "

"But you must understand this, that I will never distrust you. Iwill never ask you to give me up again, or say that I could be happywithout you. I could not live without you; that is, without theknowledge that you are mine. But I will never be impatient, never. Pray, pray believe me! Nothing shall make me distrust you. "

"Dearest Lily, I will endeavour to give you no cause. "

"I know you will not; but I specially wanted to tell you that. Andyou will write, --very soon?"

"Directly I get there. "

"And as often as you can. But I won't bother you; only your letterswill make me so happy. I shall be so proud when they come to me. Ishall be afraid of writing too much to you, for fear I should tireyou. "

"You will never do that. "

"Shall I not? But you must write first, you know. If you could onlyunderstand how I shall live upon your letters! And now good-bye. There are the wheels. God bless you, my own, my own!" And she gaveherself up into his arms, as she had given herself up into his heart. 

She stood at the door as the two men got into the gig, and, as itpassed down through the gate, she hurried out upon the terrace, fromwhence she could see it for a few yards down the lane. Then she ranfrom the terrace to the gate, and, hurrying through the gate, madeher way into the churchyard, from the farther corner of which shecould see the heads of the two men till they had made the turn intothe main road beyond the parsonage. There she remained till the verysound of the wheels no longer reached her ears, stretching her eyesin the direction they had taken. Then she turned round slowly andmade her way out at the churchyard gate, which opened on to the roadclose to the front door of the Small House. 

"I should like to punch his head, " said Hopkins, the gardener, tohimself, as he saw the gig driven away and saw Lily trip after it, that she might see the last of him whom it carried. "And I wouldn'tthink nothing of doing it; no more I wouldn't, " Hopkins added in hissoliloquy. It was generally thought about the place that Miss Lilywas Hopkins's favourite, though he showed it chiefly by snubbing hermore frequently than he snubbed her sister. 

Lily had evidently intended to return home through the front door;but she changed her purpose before she reached the house, and madeher way slowly back through the churchyard, and by the gate of theGreat House, and by the garden at the back of it, till she crossedthe little bridge. But on the bridge she rested awhile, leaningagainst the railing as she had often leant with him, and thinking ofall that had passed since that July day on which she had first methim. On no spot had he so often told her of his love as on this, andnowhere had she so eagerly sworn to him that she would be his owndutiful loving wife. 

"And by God's help so I will, " she said to herself, as she walkedfirmly up to the house. "He has gone, mamma, " she said, as sheentered the breakfast-room. "And now we'll go back to our work-a-dayways; it has been all Sunday for me for the last six weeks. "

CHAPTER XVI

Mr Crosbie Meets an Old Clergyman on His Way to Courcy Castle

For the first mile or two of their journey Crosbie and Bernard Dalesat, for the most part, silent in their gig. Lily, as she ran downto the churchyard corner and stood there looking after them withher loving eyes, had not been seen by them. But the spirit of herdevotion was still strong upon them both, and they felt that itwould not be well to strike at once into any ordinary topic ofconversation. And, moreover, we may presume that Crosbie did feelmuch at thus parting from such a girl as Lily Dale, with whom hehad lived in close intercourse for the last six weeks, and whom heloved with all his heart, --with all the heart that he had for suchpurposes. In those doubts as to his marriage which had troubled himhe had never expressed to himself any disapproval of Lily. He had nottaught himself to think that she was other than he would have her be, that he might thus give himself an excuse for parting from her. Notas yet, at any rate, had he had recourse to that practice, so commonwith men who wish to free themselves from the bonds with which theyhave permitted themselves to be bound. Lily had been too sweet tohis eyes, to his touch, to all his senses for that. He had enjoyedtoo keenly the pleasure of being with her, and of hearing her tellhim that she loved him, to allow of his being personally tired ofher. He had not been so spoilt by his club life but that he hadtaken exquisite pleasure in all her nice country ways, and soft, kind-hearted, womanly humour. He was by no means tired of Lily. Better than any of his London pleasures was this pleasure of makinglove in the green fields to Lily Dale. It was the consequences ofit that affrighted him. Babies with their belongings would come;and dull evenings, over a dull fire, or else the pining grief ofa disappointed woman. He would be driven to be careful as to hisclothes, because the ordering of a new coat would entail a seriousexpenditure. He could go no more among countesses and theirdaughters, because it would be out of the question that his wifeshould visit at their houses. All the victories that he had ever wonmust be given up. He was thinking of this even while the gig wasgoing round the corner near the parsonage house, and while Lily'seyes were still blessed with some view of his departing back; but hewas thinking, also, that moment, that there might be other victoryin store for him; that it might be possible for him to learn tolike that fireside, even though babies should be there, and a womanopposite to him intent on baby cares. He was struggling as best heknew how; for the solemnity which Lily had imparted to him had notyet vanished from his spirit. 

"I hope that, upon the whole, you feel contented with your visit?"said Bernard to him, at last. 

"Contented? Of course I do. "

"That is easily said; and civility to me, perhaps, demands as much. But I know that you have, to some extent, been disappointed. "

"Well; yes. I have been disappointed as regards money. It is of nouse denying it. "

"I should not mention it now, only that I want to know that youexonerate me. "

"I have never blamed you;--neither you, nor anybody else; unless, indeed, it has been myself. "

"You mean that you regret what you've done?"

"No; I don't mean that. I am too devotedly attached to that dear girlwhom we have just left to feel any regret that I have engaged myselfto her. But I do think that had I managed better with your unclethings might have been different. "

"I doubt it. Indeed I know that it is not so; and can assure youthat you need not make yourself unhappy on that score. I hadthought, as you well know, that he would have done something forLily;--something, though not as much as he always intended to do forBell. But you may be sure of this; that he had made up his mind as towhat he would do. Nothing that you or I could have said would havechanged him. "

"Well; we won't say anything more about it, " said Crosbie. Then theywent on again in silence, and arrived at Guestwick in ample time forthe train. 

"Let me know as soon as you get to town, " said Crosbie. 

"Oh, of course. I'll write to you before that. "

And so they parted. As Dale turned and went, Crosbie felt that heliked him less than he had done before; and Bernard, also, as he wasdriving him, came to the conclusion that Crosbie would not be sogood a fellow as a brother-in-law as he had been as a chance friend. "He'll give us trouble, in some way; and I'm sorry that I brought himdown. " That was Dale's inward conviction in the matter. 

Crosbie's way from Guestwick lay, by railway, to Barchester, thecathedral city lying in the next county, from whence he purposed tohave himself conveyed over to Courcy. There had, in truth, been nocause for his very early departure, as he was aware that all arrivalsat country houses should take place at some hour not much previousto dinner. He had been determined to be so soon upon the road by afeeling that it would be well for him to get over those last hours. Thus he found himself in Barchester at eleven o'clock, with nothingon his hands to do; and, having nothing else to do, he went tochurch. There was a full service at the cathedral, and as the vergermarshalled him up to one of the empty stalls, a little spare old manwas beginning to chant the Litany. "I did not mean to fall in for allthis, " said Crosbie, to himself, as he settled himself with his armson the cushion. But the peculiar charm of that old man's voice soonattracted him;--a voice that, though tremulous, was yet strong; andhe ceased to regret the saint whose honour and glory had occasionedthe length of that day's special service. 

"And who is the old gentleman who chanted the Litany?" he askedthe verger afterwards, as he allowed himself to be shown round themonuments of the cathedral. 

"That's our precentor, sir, Mr Harding. You must have heard of MrHarding. " But Crosbie, with a full apology, confessed his ignorance. 

"Well, sir; he's pretty well known too, tho' he is so shy like. He'sfather-in-law to our dean, sir; and father-in-law to ArchdeaconGrantly also. "

"His daughters have all gone into the profession, then?"

"Why, yes; but Miss Eleanor--for I remember her before she wasmarried at all, --when they lived at the hospital--"

"At the hospital?"

"Hiram's hospital, sir. He was warden, you know. You should go andsee the hospital, sir, if you never was there before. Well, MissEleanor, --that was his youngest, --she married Mr Bold as her first. But now she's the dean's lady. "

"Oh; the dean's lady, is she?"

"Yes, indeed. And what do you think, sir? Mr Harding might have beendean himself if he'd liked. They did offer it to him. "

"And he refused it?"

"Indeed he did, sir. "

"_Nolo decanari_. I never heard of that before. What made him somodest?"

"Just that, sir; because he is modest. He's past his seventynow, --ever so much; but he's just as modest as a young girl. A dealmore modest than some of them. To see him and his granddaughtertogether!"

"And who is his granddaughter?"

"Why Lady Dumbello, as will be the Marchioness of Hartletop. "

"I know Lady Dumbello, " said Crosbie; not meaning, however, to boastto the verger of his noble acquaintance. 

"Oh, do you, sir?" said the man, unconsciously touching his hat atthis sign of greatness in the stranger; though in truth he had nolove for her ladyship. "Perhaps you're going to be one of the partyat Courcy Castle. "

"Well, I believe I am. "

"You'll find her ladyship there before you. She lunched with her auntat the deanery as she went through, yesterday; finding it too muchtrouble to go out to her father's, at Plumstead. Her father is thearchdeacon, you know. They do say--but her ladyship is your friend!"

"No friend at all; only a very slight acquaintance. She's quite asmuch above my line as she is above her father's. "

"Well, she is above them all. They say she would hardly as much asspeak to the old gentleman. "

"What, her father?"

"No, Mr Harding; he that chanted the Litany just now. There he is, sir, coming out of the deanery. "

They were now standing at the door leading out from one of thetransepts, and Mr Harding passed them as they were speaking together. He was a little, withered, shambling old man, with bent shoulders, dressed in knee-breeches and long black gaiters, which hung ratherloosely about his poor old legs, --rubbing his hands one over theother as he went. And yet he walked quickly; not tottering as hewalked, but with an uncertain, doubtful step. The verger, as MrHarding passed, put his hand to his head, and Crosbie also raised hishat. Whereupon Mr Harding raised his, and bowed, and turned round asthough he were about to speak. Crosbie felt that he had never seen aface on which traits of human kindness were more plainly written. Butthe old man did not speak. He turned his body half round, and thenshambled back, as though ashamed of his intention, and passed on. 

"He is of that sort that they make the angels of, " said the verger. "But they can't make many if they want them all as good as he is. I'm much obliged to you, sir. " And he pocketed the half-crown whichCrosbie gave him. 

"So that's Lady Dumbello's grandfather, " said Crosbie, to himself, as he walked slowly round the close towards the hospital, by thepath which the verger had shown him. He had no great love for LadyDumbello, who had dared to snub him--even him. "They may make anangel of the old gentleman, " he continued to say; "but they'll neversucceed in that way with the granddaughter. "

He sauntered slowly on over a little bridge; and at the gate of thehospital he again came upon Mr Harding. "I was going to venture in, "said he, "to look at the place. But perhaps I shall be intruding?"

"No, no; by no means, " said Mr Harding. "Pray come in. I cannot saythat I am just at home here. I do not live here, --not now. But I knowthe ways of the place well, and can make you welcome. That's thewarden's house. Perhaps we won't go in so early in the day, as thelady has a very large family. An excellent lady, and a dear friend ofmine, --as is her husband. "

"And he is warden, you say?"

"Yes, warden of the hospital. You see the house, sir. Very pretty, isn't it? Very pretty. To my idea it's the prettiest built house Iever saw. "

"I won't go quite so far as that, " said Crosbie. 

"But you would if you'd lived there twelve years, as I did. I livedin that house twelve years, and I don't think there's so sweet a spoton the earth's surface. Did you ever see such turf as that?"

"Very nice indeed, " said Crosbie, who began to make a comparisonwith Mrs Dale's turf at the Small House, and to determine that theAllington turf was better than that of the hospital. 

"I had that turf laid down myself. There were borders there when Ifirst came, with hollyhocks, and those sort of things. The turf wasan improvement. "

"There's no doubt of that, I should say. "

"The turf was an improvement, certainly. And I planted those shrubs, too. There isn't such a Portugal laurel as that in the county. "

"Were you warden here, sir?" And Crosbie, as he asked the question, remembered that, in his very young days, he had heard of somenewspaper quarrel which had taken place about Hiram's hospital atBarchester. 

"Yes, sir. I was warden here for twelve years. Dear, dear, dear! Ifthey had put any gentleman here that was not on friendly terms withme it would have made me very unhappy, --very. But, as it is, I go inand out just as I like; almost as much as I did before they-- Butthey didn't turn me out. There were reasons which made it best thatI should resign. "

"And you live at the deanery now, Mr Harding?"

"Yes; I live at the deanery now. But I am not dean, you know. Myson-in-law, Dr Arabin, is the dean. I have another daughter marriedin the neighbourhood, and can truly say that my lines have fallen tome in pleasant places. "

Then he took Crosbie in among the old men, into all of whose roomshe went. It was an almshouse for aged men of the city, and beforeCrosbie had left him Mr Harding had explained all the circumstancesof the hospital, and of the way in which he had left it. "I didn'tlike going, you know; I thought it would break my heart. But I couldnot stay when they said such things as that;--I couldn't stay. And, what is more, I should have been wrong to stay. I see it all now. Butwhen I went out under that arch, Mr Crosbie, leaning on my daughter'sarm, I thought that my heart would have broken. " And the tears evennow ran down the old man's cheeks as he spoke. 

It was a long story, and it need not be repeated here. And there wasno reason why it should have been told to Mr Crosbie, other thanthis, --that Mr Harding was a fond garrulous old man, who loved toindulge his mind in reminiscences of the past. But this was remarkedby Crosbie; that, in telling his story, no word was said by MrHarding injurious to any one. And yet he had been injured, --injuredvery deeply. "It was all for the best, " he said at last; "especiallyas the happiness has not been denied to me of making myself at homeat the old place. I would take you into the house, which is verycomfortable, --very, only it is not always convenient early in theday, when there's a large family. " In hearing which, Crosbie wasagain made to think of his own future home and limited income. 

He had told the old clergyman who he was, and that he was on his wayto Courcy. "Where, as I understand, I shall meet a granddaughter ofyours. "

"Yes, yes; she is my grandchild. She and I have got into differentwalks of life now, so that I don't see much of her. They tell me thatshe does her duty well in that sphere of life to which it has pleasedGod to call her. "

"That depends, " thought Crosbie, "on what the duties of a viscountessmay be supposed to be. " But he wished his new friend good-bye, without saying anything further as to Lady Dumbello, and, at aboutsix o'clock in the evening, had himself driven up under the porticoof Courcy Castle. 

CHAPTER XVII

Courcy Castle

Courcy Castle was very full. In the first place, there was a greatgathering there of all the Courcy family. The earl was there, --andthe countess, of course. At this period of the year Lady de Courcywas always at home; but the presence of the earl himself hadheretofore been by no means so certain. He was a man who had beenmuch given to royal visitings and attendances, to parties in theHighlands, to, --no doubt necessary, --prolongations of the Londonseason, to sojournings at certain German watering-places, convenient, probably, in order that he might study the ways and ceremonies ofGerman Courts, --and to various other absences from home, occasionedby a close pursuit of his own special aims in life; for the Earlde Courcy had been a great courtier. But of late gout, lumbago, and perhaps also some diminution in his powers of making himselfgenerally agreeable, had reconciled him to domestic duties, and theearl spent much of his time at home. The countess, in former days, had been heard to complain of her lord's frequent absence. But it ishard to please some women, --and now she would not always be satisfiedwith his presence. 

And all the sons and daughters were there, --excepting Lord Porlock, the eldest, who never met his father. The earl and Lord Porlock werenot on terms, and indeed hated each other as only such fathers andsuch sons can hate. The Honourable George de Courcy was there withhis bride, he having lately performed a manifest duty, in havingmarried a young woman with money. Very young she was not, --havingreached some years of her life in advance of thirty; but then, neither was the Honourable George very young; and in this respectthe two were not ill-sorted. The lady's money had not been verymuch, --perhaps thirty thousand pounds or so. But then the HonourableGeorge's money had been absolutely none. Now he had an income onwhich he could live, and therefore his father and mother had forgivenhim all his sins, and taken him again to their bosom. And themarriage was matter of great moment, for the elder scion of the househad not yet taken to himself a wife, and the de Courcy family mighthave to look to this union for an heir. The lady herself was notbeautiful, or clever, or of imposing manners, --nor was she of highbirth. But neither was she ugly, nor unbearably stupid. Her mannerswere, at any rate, innocent; and as to her birth, --seeing that, fromthe first, she was not supposed to have had any, --no disappointmentwas felt. Her father had been a coal-merchant. She was always calledMrs George, and the effort made respecting her by everybody in andabout the family was to treat her as though she were a figure ofa woman, a large well-dressed resemblance of a being, whom it wasnecessary for certain purposes that the de Courcys should carry intheir train. Of the Honourable George we may further observe, that, having been a spendthrift all his life, he had now become strictlyparsimonious. Having reached the discreet age of forty, he had atlast learned that beggary was objectionable; and he, therefore, devoted every energy of his mind to saving shillings and pencewherever pence and shillings might be saved. When first this turncame upon him both his father and mother were delighted to observeit; but, although it had hardly yet lasted over twelve months, someevil results were beginning to appear. Though possessed of an income, he would take no steps towards possessing himself of a house. Hehung by the paternal mansion, either in town or country; drank thepaternal wines, rode the paternal horses, and had even contrivedto obtain his wife's dresses from the maternal milliner. In thecompletion of which little last success, however, some slight familydissent had showed itself. 

The Honourable John, the third son, was also at Courcy. He had as yettaken to himself no wife, and as he had not hitherto made himselfconspicuously useful in any special walk of life his family werebeginning to regard him as a burden. Having no income of his own tosave, he had not copied his brother's virtue of parsimony; and, totell the truth plainly, had made himself so generally troublesome tohis father, that he had been on more than one occasion threatenedwith expulsion from the family roof. But it is not easy to expel ason. Human fledglings cannot be driven out of the nest like youngbirds. An Honourable John turned adrift into absolute poverty willmake himself heard of in the world, --if in no other way, by hisugliness as he starves. A thorough-going ne'er-do-well in the upperclasses has eminent advantages on his side in the battle which hefights against respectability. He can't be sent to Australia againsthis will. He can't be sent to the poorhouse without the knowledgeof all the world. He can't be kept out of tradesmen's shops; nor, without terrible scandal, can he be kept away from the paternalproperties. The earl had threatened, and snarled, and shown histeeth; he was an angry man, and a man who could look very angry; witheyes which could almost become red, and a brow that wrinkled itselfin perpendicular wrinkles, sometimes very terrible to behold. Buthe was an inconsistent man, and the Honourable John had learned tomeasure his father, and in an accurate balance. 

I have mentioned the sons first, because it is to be presumed thatthey were the elder, seeing that their names were mentioned beforethose of their sisters in all the peerages. But there were fourdaughters, --the Ladies Amelia, Rosina, Margaretta, and Alexandrina. They, we may say, were the flowers of the family, having so livedthat they had created none of those family feuds which had been sofrequent between their father and their brothers. They were discreet, high-bred women, thinking, perhaps, a little too much of their ownposition in the world, and somewhat apt to put a wrong value onthose advantages which they possessed, and on those which they didnot possess. The Lady Amelia was already married, having made asubstantial if not a brilliant match with Mr Mortimer Gazebee, aflourishing solicitor, belonging to a firm which had for many yearsacted as agents to the de Courcy property. Mortimer Gazebee was nowmember of Parliament for Barchester, partly through the influenceof his father-in-law. That this should be so was a matter of greatdisgust to the Honourable George, who thought that the seat shouldhave belonged to him. But as Mr Gazebee had paid the very heavyexpenses of the election out of his own pocket, and as George deCourcy certainly could not have paid them, the justice of his claimmay be questionable. Lady Amelia Gazebee was now the happy mother ofmany babies, whom she was wont to carry with her on her visits toCourcy Castle, and had become an excellent partner to her husband. He would perhaps have liked it better if she had not spoken sofrequently to him of her own high position as the daughter of anearl, or so frequently to others of her low position as the wife ofan attorney. But, on the whole, they did very well together, and MrGazebee had gotten from his marriage quite as much as he expectedwhen he made it. 

The Lady Rosina was very religious; and I do not know that she wasconspicuous in any other way, unless it might be that she somewhatresembled her father in her temper. It was of the Lady Rosina thatthe servants were afraid, especially with reference to that so-calledday of rest which, under her dominion, had become to many of thema day of restless torment. It had not always been so with the LadyRosina; but her eyes had been opened by the wife of a great churchdignitary in the neighbourhood, and she had undergone regeneration. How great may be the misery inflicted by an energetic, unmarried, healthy woman in that condition, --a woman with no husband, orchildren, or duties, to distract her from her work, --I pray that myreaders may never know. 

The Lady Margaretta was her mother's favourite, and she was like hermother in all things, --except that her mother had been a beauty. Theworld called her proud, disdainful, and even insolent; but the worldwas not aware that in all that she did she was acting in accordancewith a principle which had called for much self-abnegation. She hadconsidered it her duty to be a de Courcy and an earl's daughter atall times; and consequently she had sacrificed to her idea of dutyall popularity, adulation, and such admiration as would have beenawarded to her as a well-dressed, tall, fashionable, and by no meansstupid young woman. To be at all times in something higher than theywho were manifestly below her in rank, --that was the effort that shewas ever making. But she had been a good daughter, assisting hermother, as best she might, in all family troubles, and never repiningat the cold, colourless, unlovely life which had been vouchsafed toher. 

Alexandrina was the beauty of the family, and was in truth theyoungest. But even she was not very young, and was beginning to makeher friends uneasy lest she, too, should let the precious season ofhay-harvest run by without due use of her summer's sun. She had, perhaps, counted too much on her beauty, which had been beautyaccording to law rather than beauty according to taste, and hadlooked, probably, for too bounteous a harvest. That her forehead, andnose, and cheeks, and chin were well-formed, no man could deny. Herhair was soft and plentiful. Her teeth were good, and her eyes werelong and oval. But the fault of her face was this, --that when youleft her you could not remember it. After a first acquaintance youcould meet her again and not know her. After many meetings you wouldfail to carry away with you any portrait of her features. But suchas she had been at twenty, such was she now at thirty. Years had notrobbed her face of its regularity, or ruffled the smoothness of hertoo even forehead. Rumour had declared that on more than one, orperhaps more than two occasions, Lady Alexandrina had been alreadyinduced to plight her troth in return for proffered love; but we allknow that Rumour, when she takes to such topics, exaggerates thetruth, and sets down much in malice. The lady was once engaged, theengagement lasting for two years, and the engagement had been brokenoff, owing to some money difficulties between the gentlemen of thefamilies. Since that she had become somewhat querulous, and wassupposed to be uneasy on that subject of her haymaking. Her glass andher maid assured her that her sun shone still as brightly as ever;but her spirit was becoming weary with waiting, and she dreaded lestshe should become a terror to all, as was her sister Rosina, oran object of interest to none, as was Margaretta. It was from herespecially that this message had been sent to our friend Crosbie;for, during the last spring in London, she and Crosbie had knowneach other well. Yes, my gentle readers; it is true, as your heartsuggests to you. Under such circumstances Mr Crosbie should not havegone to Courcy Castle. 

Such was the family circle of the de Courcys. Among their presentguests I need not enumerate many. First and foremost in all respectswas Lady Dumbello, of whose parentage and position a few words weresaid in the last chapter. She was a lady still very young, having asyet been little more than two years married. But in those two yearsher triumphs had been many;--so many, that in the great world herstanding already equalled that of her celebrated mother-in-law, theMarchioness of Hartletop, who, for twenty years, had owned no greaterpotentate than herself in the realms of fashion. But Lady Dumbellowas every inch as great as she; and men said, and women also, thatthe daughter-in-law would soon be the greater. 

"I'll be hanged if I can understand how she does it, " a certain noblepeer had once said to Crosbie, standing at the door of Sebright's, during the latter days of the last season. "She never says anythingto any one. She won't speak ten words a whole night through. "

"I don't think she has an idea in her head, " said Crosbie. 

"Let me tell you that she must be a very clever woman, " continued thenoble peer. "No fool could do as she does. Remember, she's only aparson's daughter; and as for beauty--"

"I don't admire her for one, " said Crosbie. 

"I don't want to run away with her, if you mean that, " said the peer;"but she is handsome, no doubt. I wonder whether Dumbello likes it. "

Dumbello did like it. It satisfied his ambition to be led about asthe senior lacquey in his wife's train. He believed himself to bea great man because the world fought for his wife's presence; andconsidered himself to be distinguished even among the eldest sonsof marquises, by the greatness reflected from the parson's daughterwhom he had married. He had now been brought to Courcy Castle, andfelt himself proud of his situation because Lady Dumbello had madeconsiderable difficulty in according this week to the Countess deCourcy. 

And Lady Julia De Guest was already there, the sister of the otherold earl, who lived in the next county. She had only arrived on theday before, but had been quick in spreading the news as to Crosbie'sengagement. "Engaged to one of the Dales, is he?" said the countess, with a pretty little smile, which showed plainly that the matter wasone of no interest to herself. "Has she got any money?"

"Not a shilling, I should think, " said the Lady Julia. 

"Pretty, I suppose?" suggested the countess. 

"Why, yes; she is pretty, --and a nice girl. I don't know whether hermother and uncle were very wise in encouraging Mr Crosbie. I don'thear that he has anything special to recommend him, --in the way ofmoney I mean. "

"I dare say it will come to nothing, " said the countess, who liked tohear of girls being engaged and then losing their promised husbands. She did not know that she liked it, but she did; and already hadpleasure in anticipating poor Lily's discomfiture. But not the lesswas she angry with Crosbie, feeling that he was making his way intoher house under false pretences. 

And Alexandrina also was angry when Lady Julia repeated the sametidings in her hearing. "I really don't think we care very much aboutit, Lady Julia, " said she, with a little toss of her head. "That'sthree times we've been told of Miss Dale's good fortune. "

"The Dales are related to you, I think?" said Margaretta. 

"Not at all, " said Lady Julia, bristling up. "The lady whom MrCrosbie proposes to marry is in no way connected with us. Her cousin, who is the heir to the Allington property, is my nephew by hismother. " And then the subject was dropped. 

Crosbie, on his arrival, was shown up into his room, told the hour ofdinner, and left to his devices. He had been at the castle before, and knew the ways of the house. So he sat himself down to his table, and began a letter to Lily. But he had not proceeded far, not havingas yet indeed made up his mind as to the form in which he wouldcommence it, but was sitting idly with the pen in his hand, thinkingof Lily, and thinking also how such houses as this in which he nowfound himself would be soon closed against him, when there came a rapat his door, and before he could answer the Honourable John enteredthe room. 

"Well, old fellow, " said the Honourable John, "how are you?"

Crosbie had been intimate with John de Courcy, but never felt for himeither friendship or liking. Crosbie did not like such men as John deCourcy; but nevertheless, they called each other old fellow, pokedeach other's ribs, and were very intimate. 

"Heard you were here, " continued the Honourable John; "so I thought Iwould come up and look after you. Going to be married, ain't you?"

"Not that I know of, " said Crosbie. 

"Come, we know better than that. The women have been talking about itfor the last three days. I had her name quite pat yesterday, but I'veforgot it now. Hasn't got a tanner; has she?" And the Honourable Johnhad now seated himself upon the table. 

"You seem to know a great deal more about it than I do. "

"It is that old woman from Guestwick who told us, then. The womenwill be at you at once, you'll find. If there's nothing in it, it'swhat I call a d---- shame. Why should they always pull a fellow topieces in that way? They were going to marry me the other day!"

"Were they indeed, though?"

"To Harriet Twistleton. You know Harriet Twistleton? An uncommon finegirl, you know. But I wasn't going to be caught like that. I'm veryfond of Harriet, --in my way, you know; but they don't catch an oldbird like me with chaff. "

"I condole with Miss Twistleton for what she has lost. "

"I don't know about condoling. But upon my word that getting marriedis a very slow thing. Have you seen George's wife?"

Crosbie declared that he had not as yet had that pleasure. 

"She's here now, you know. I wouldn't have taken her, not if she'dhad ten times thirty thousand pounds. By Jove, no. But he likes itwell enough. Would you believe it now?--he cares for nothing on earthexcept money. You never saw such a fellow. But I'll tell you what, his nose will be out of joint yet, for Porlock is going to marry. Iheard it from Colepepper, who almost lives with Porlock. As soon asPorlock heard that she was in the family way he immediately made uphis mind to cut him out. "

"That was a great sign of brotherly love, " said Crosbie. 

"I knew he'd do it, " said John; "and so I told George before he gothimself spliced. But he would go on. If he'd remained as he was forfour or five years longer there would have been no danger;--forPorlock, you know, is leading the deuce of a life. I shouldn't wonderif he didn't reform now, and take to singing psalms or something ofthat sort. "

"There's no knowing what a man may come to in this world. "

"By George, no. But I'll tell you what, they'll find no change in me. If I marry it will not be with the intention of giving up life. Isay, old fellow, have you got a cigar here?"

"What, to smoke up here, do you mean?"

"Yes; why not? we're ever so far from the women. "

"Not whilst I am occupier of this room. Besides, it's time to dressfor dinner. "

"Is it? So it is, by George! But I mean to have a smoke first, I cantell you. So it's all a lie about your being engaged; eh?"

"As far as I know, it is, " said Crosbie. And then his friend lefthim. 

What was he to do at once, now, this very day, as to his engagement?He had felt sure that the report of it would be carried to Courcy byLady Julia De Guest, but he had not settled down upon any resolutionas to what he would do in consequence. It had not occurred to himthat he would immediately be charged with the offence, and calledupon to plead guilty or not guilty. He had never for a momentmeditated any plea of not guilty, but he was aware of an aversionon his part to declare himself as engaged to Lilian Dale. It seemedthat by doing so he would cut himself off at once from all pleasureat such houses as Courcy Castle; and, as he argued to himself, whyshould he not enjoy the little remnant of his bachelor life? As tohis denying his engagement to John de Courcy, --that was nothing. Anyone would understand that he would be justified in concealing a factconcerning himself from such a one as he. The denial repeated fromJohn's mouth would amount to nothing, --even among John's own sisters. But now it was necessary that Crosbie should make up his mind as towhat he would say when questioned by the ladies of the house. If hewere to deny the fact to them the denial would be very serious. And, indeed, was it possible that he should make such denial with LadyJulia opposite to him?

Make such a denial! And was it the fact that he could wish to doso, --that he should think of such falsehood, and even meditate on theperpetration of such cowardice? He had held that young girl to hisheart on that very morning. He had sworn to her, and had also swornto himself, that she should have no reason for distrusting him. Hehad acknowledged most solemnly to himself that, whether for good orfor ill, he was bound to her; and could it be that he was alreadycalculating as to the practicability of disowning her? In doing somust he not have told himself that he was a villain? But in truth hemade no such calculation. His object was to banish the subject, ifit were possible to do so; to think of some answer by which he mightcreate a doubt. It did not occur to him to tell the countess boldlythat there was no truth whatever in the report, and that Miss Dalewas nothing to him. But might he not skilfully laugh off the subject, even in the presence of Lady Julia? Men who were engaged did sousually, and why should not he? It was generally thought thatsolicitude for the lady's feelings should prevent a man from talkingopenly of his own engagement. Then he remembered the easy freedomwith which his position had been discussed throughout the wholeneighbourhood of Allington, and felt for the first time that the Dalefamily had been almost indelicate in their want of reticence. "Isuppose it was done to tie me the faster, " he said to himself, as hepulled out the ends of his cravat. "What a fool I was to come here, or indeed to go anywhere, after settling myself as I have done. " Andthen he went down into the drawing-room. 

It was almost a relief to him when he found that he was not chargedwith his sin at once. He himself had been so full of the subject thathe had expected to be attacked at the moment of his entrance. He was, however, greeted without any allusion to the matter. The countess, inher own quiet way, shook hands with him as though she had seen himonly the day before. The earl, who was seated in his arm-chair, askedsome one, out loud, who the stranger was, and then, with two fingersput forth, muttered some apology for a welcome. But Crosbie was quiteup to that kind of thing. "How do, my lord?" he said, turning hisface away to some one else as he spoke; and then he took no furthernotice of the master of the house. "Not know him, indeed!" Crippledthough he was by his matrimonial bond, Crosbie felt that, at any rateas yet, he was the earl's equal in social importance. After that, hefound himself in the back part of the drawing-room, away from theelder people, standing with Lady Alexandrina, with Miss Gresham, acousin of the de Courcys, and sundry other of the younger portion ofthe assembled community. 

"So you have Lady Dumbello here?" said Crosbie. 

"Oh, yes; the dear creature!" said Lady Margaretta. "It was so goodof her to come, you know. "

"She positively refused the Duchess of St Bungay, " said Alexandrina. "I hope you perceive how good we've been to you in getting you tomeet her. People have actually asked to come. "

"I am grateful; but, in truth, my gratitude has more to do withCourcy Castle and its habitual inmates, than with Lady Dumbello. Ishe here?"

"Oh, yes! he's in the room somewhere. There he is, standing up byLady Clandidlem. He always stands in that way before dinner. In theevening he sits down much after the same fashion. "

Crosbie had seen him on first entering the room, and had seen everyindividual in it. He knew better than to omit the duty of thatscrutinising glance; but it sounded well in his line not to haveobserved Lord Dumbello. 

"And her ladyship is not down?" said he. 

"She is generally last, " said Lady Margaretta. 

"And yet she has always three women to dress her, " said Alexandrina. 

"But when finished, what a success it is!" said Crosbie. 

"Indeed it is!" said Margaretta, with energy. Then the door wasopened, and Lady Dumbello entered the room. 

There was immediately a commotion among them all. Even the gouty oldlord shuffled up out of his chair, and tried, with a grin, to looksweet and pleasant. The countess came forward, looking very sweetand pleasant, making little complimentary speeches, to which theviscountess answered simply by a gracious smile. Lady Clandidlem, though she was very fat and heavy, left the viscount, and got upto join the group. Baron Potsneuf, a diplomatic German of greatcelebrity, crossed his hands upon his breast, and made a low bow. The Honourable George, who had stood silent for the last quarter ofan hour, suggested to her ladyship that she must have found the airrather cold; and the Ladies Margaretta and Alexandrina flutteredup with little complimentary speeches to their dear Lady Dumbello, hoping this and beseeching that, as though the "Woman in White"before them had been the dearest friend of their infancy. 

She was a woman in white, being dressed in white silk, with whitelace over it, and with no other jewels upon her person than diamonds. Very beautifully she was dressed; doing infinite credit, no doubt, tothose three artists who had, between them, succeeded in turning herout of hand. And her face, also, was beautiful, with a certain cold, inexpressive beauty. She walked up the room very slowly, smiling hereand smiling there; but still with very faint smiles, and took theplace which her hostess indicated to her. One word she said to thecountess and two to the earl. Beyond that she did not open her lips. All the homage paid to her she received as though it were clearly herdue. She was not in the least embarrassed, nor did she show herselfto be in the slightest degree ashamed of her own silence. She didnot look like a fool, nor was she even taken for a fool; but shecontributed nothing to society but her cold, hard beauty, her gait, and her dress. We may say that she contributed enough, for societyacknowledged itself to be deeply indebted to her. 

The only person in the room who did not move at Lady Dumbello'sentrance was her husband. But he remained unmoved from no want ofenthusiasm. A spark of pleasure actually beamed in his eye as he sawthe triumphant entrance of his wife. He felt that he had made a matchthat was becoming to him as a great nobleman, and that the world wasacknowledging that he had done his duty. And yet Lady Dumbello hadbeen simply the daughter of a country parson, of a clergyman who hadreached no higher rank than that of an archdeacon. "How wonderfullywell that woman has educated her, " the countess said that eveningin her dressing-room, to Margaretta. The woman alluded to was MrsGrantly, the wife of the parson and mother of Lady Dumbello. 

The old earl was very cross because destiny and the table ofprecedence required him to take out Lady Clandidlem to dinner. Healmost insulted her, as she kindly endeavoured to assist him in hisinfirm step rather than to lean upon him. 

"Ugh!" he said, "it's a bad arrangement that makes two old peoplelike you and me be sent out together to help each other. "

"Speak for yourself, " said her ladyship, with a laugh. "I, at anyrate, can get about without any assistance, "--which, indeed, was trueenough. 

"It's well for you!" growled the earl, as he got himself into hisseat. 

And after that he endeavoured to solace his pain by a flirtation withLady Dumbello on his left. The earl's smiles and the earl's teeth, when he whispered naughty little nothings to pretty young women, were phenomena at which men might marvel. Whatever those naughtynothings were on the present occasion, Lady Dumbello took them allwith placidity, smiling graciously, but speaking hardly more thanmonosyllables. 

Lady Alexandrina fell to Crosbie's lot, and he felt gratified thatit was so. It might be necessary for him, as a married man, to giveup such acquaintances as the de Courcys, but he should like, ifpossible, to maintain a friendship with Lady Alexandrina. What afriend Lady Alexandrina would be for Lily, if any such friendshipwere only possible! What an advantage would such an alliance conferupon that dear little girl;--for, after all, though the dear littlegirl's attractions were very great, he could not but admit to himselfthat she wanted a something, --a way of holding herself and ofspeaking, which some people call style. Lily might certainly learna great deal from Lady Alexandrina; and it was this conviction, no doubt, which made him so sedulous in pleasing that lady on thepresent occasion. 

And she, as it seemed, was well inclined to be pleased. She said noword to him during dinner about Lily; and yet she spoke about theDales, and about Allington, showing that she knew in what quartershe had been staying, and then she alluded to their last parties inLondon, --those occasions on which, as Crosbie now remembered, theintercourse between them had almost been tender. It was manifest tohim that at any rate she did not wish to quarrel with him. It wasmanifest, also, that she had some little hesitation in speaking tohim about his engagement. He did not for a moment doubt that she wasaware of it. And in this way matters went on between them till theladies left the room. 

"So you're going to be married, too, " said the Honourable George, bywhose side Crosbie found himself seated when the ladies were gone. Crosbie was employing himself upon a walnut, and did not find itnecessary to make any answer. 

"It's the best thing a fellow can do, " continued George; "that is, ifhe has been careful to look to the main chance, --if he hasn't beencaught napping, you know. It doesn't do for a man to go hanging on bynothing till he finds himself an old man. "

"You've feathered your own nest, at any rate. "

"Yes; I've got something in the scramble, and I mean to keep it. Where will John be when the governor goes off the hooks? Porlockwouldn't give him a bit of bread and cheese and a glass of beer tosave his life;--that is to say, not if he wanted it. "

"I'm told your elder brother is going to be married. "

"You've heard that from John. He's spreading that about everywhere totake a rise out of me. I don't believe a word of it. Porlock neverwas a marrying man;--and, what's more, from all I hear, I don't thinkhe'll live long. "

In this way Crosbie escaped from his own difficulty; and when he rosefrom the dinner-table had not as yet been driven to confess anythingto his own discredit. 

But the evening was not yet over. When he returned to thedrawing-room he endeavoured to avoid any conversation with thecountess herself, believing that the attack would more probably comefrom her than from her daughter. He, therefore, got into conversationfirst with one and then with another of the girls, till at last hefound himself again alone with Alexandrina. 

"Mr Crosbie, " she said, in a low voice, as they were standingtogether over one of the distant tables, with their backs to the restof the company, "I want you to tell me something about Miss LilianDale. "

"About Miss Lilian Dale!" he said, repeating her words. 

"Is she very pretty?"

"Yes; she certainly is pretty. "

"And very nice, and attractive, and clever, --and all that isdelightful? Is she perfect?"

"She is very attractive, " said he; "but I don't think she's perfect. "

"And what are her faults?"

"That question is hardly fair, is it? Suppose any one were to ask mewhat were your faults, do you think I should answer the question?"

"I am quite sure you would, and make a very long list of them, too. But as to Miss Dale, you ought to think her perfect. If a gentlemanwere engaged to me, I should expect him to swear before all the worldthat I was the very pink of perfection. "

"But supposing the gentleman were not engaged to you?"

"That would be a different thing. "

"I am not engaged to you, " said Crosbie. "Such happiness and suchhonour are, I fear, very far beyond my reach. But, nevertheless, I amprepared to testify as to your perfection anywhere. "

"And what would Miss Dale say?"

"Allow me to assure you that such opinions as I may choose to expressof my friends will be my own opinions, and not depend on those of anyone else. "

"And you think, then, that you are not bound to be enslaved as yet?How many more months of such freedom are you to enjoy?"

Crosbie remained silent for a minute before he answered, and then hespoke in a serious voice. "Lady Alexandrina, " said he, "I would begfrom you a great favour. "

"What is the favour, Mr Crosbie?"

"I am quite in earnest. Will you be good enough, kind enough, enoughmy friend, not to connect my name again with that of Miss Dale whileI am here?"

"Has there been a quarrel?"

"No; there has been no quarrel. I cannot explain to you now why Imake this request; but to you I will explain it before I go. "

"Explain it to me!"

"I have regarded you as more than an acquaintance, --as a friend. Indays now past there were moments when I was almost rash enough tohope that I might have said even more than that. I confess that I hadno warrant for such hopes, but I believe that I may still look on youas a friend?"

"Oh, yes, certainly, " said Alexandrina, in a very low voice, and witha certain amount of tenderness in her tone. "I have always regardedyou as a friend. "

"And therefore I venture to make the request. The subject is not oneon which I can speak openly, without regret, at the present moment. But to you, at least, I promise that I will explain it all before Ileave Courcy. "

He at any rate succeeded in mystifying Lady Alexandrina. "I don'tbelieve he is engaged a bit, " she said to Lady Amelia Gazebee thatnight. 

"Nonsense, my dear. Lady Julia wouldn't speak of it in that certainway if she didn't know. Of course he doesn't wish to have it talkedabout. "

"If ever he has been engaged to her, he has broken it off again, "said Lady Alexandrina. 

"I dare say he will, my dear, if you give him encouragement, " saidthe married sister, with great sisterly good-nature. 

CHAPTER XVIII

Lily Dale's First Love-Letter

Crosbie was rather proud of himself when he went to bed. He hadsucceeded in baffling the charge made against him, without sayinganything as to which his conscience need condemn him. So, at least, he then told himself. The impression left by what he had said wouldbe that there had been some question of an engagement between him andLilian Dale, but that nothing at this moment was absolutely fixed. But in the morning his conscience was not quite so clear. What wouldLily think and say if she knew it all? Could he dare to tell her, orto tell any one the real state of his mind?

As he lay in bed, knowing that an hour remained to him before he needencounter the perils of his tub, he felt that he hated Courcy Castleand its inmates. Who was there, among them all, that was comparableto Mrs Dale and her daughters? He detested both George and John. He loathed the earl. As to the countess herself, he was perfectlyindifferent, regarding her as a woman whom it was well to know, butas one only to be known as the mistress of Courcy Castle and a housein London. As to the daughters, he had ridiculed them all from timeto time--even Alexandrina, whom he now professed to love. Perhapsin some sort of way he had a weak fondness for her;--but it was afondness that had never touched his heart. He could measure thewhole thing at its worth, --Courcy Castle with its privileges, LadyDumbello, Lady Clandidlem, and the whole of it. He knew that he hadbeen happier on that lawn at Allington, and more contented withhimself, than ever he had been even under Lady Hartletop's splendidroof in Shropshire. Lady Dumbello was satisfied with these things, even in the inmost recesses of her soul; but he was not a male LadyDumbello. He knew that there was something better, and that thatsomething was within his reach. 

But, nevertheless, the air of Courcy was too much for him. In arguingthe matter with himself he regarded himself as one infected witha leprosy from which there could be no recovery, and who should, therefore, make his whole life suitable to the circumstances of thatleprosy. It was of no use for him to tell himself that the SmallHouse at Allington was better than Courcy Castle. Satan knew thatheaven was better than hell; but he felt himself to be fitter for thelatter place. Crosbie ridiculed Lady Dumbello, even there among herfriends, with all the cutting words that his wit could find; but, nevertheless, the privilege of staying in the same house with her wasdear to him. It was the line of life into which he had fallen, andhe confessed inwardly that the struggle to extricate himself wouldbe too much for him. All that had troubled him while he was yetat Allington, but it overwhelmed him almost with dismay beneath thehangings of Courcy Castle. 

Had he not better run from the place at once? He had almostacknowledged to himself that he repented his engagement with LilianDale, but he still was resolved that he would fulfil it. He was boundin honour to marry "that little girl, " and he looked sternly up atthe drapery over his head, as he assured himself that he was a man ofhonour. Yes; he would sacrifice himself. As he had been induced topledge his word, he would not go back from it. He was too much of aman for that!

But had he not been wrong to refuse the result of Lily's wisdom whenshe told him in the field that it would be better for them to part?He did not tell himself that he had refused her offer merely becausehe had not the courage to accept it on the spur of the moment. No. "He had been too good to the poor girl to take her at her word. " Itwas thus he argued on the matter within his own breast. He had beentoo true to her; and now the effect would be that they would both beunhappy for life! He could not live in content with a family upon asmall income. He was well aware of that. No one could be harder uponhim in that matter than was he himself. But it was too late now toremedy the ill effects of an early education. 

It was thus that he debated the matter as he lay in bed, contradicting one argument by another over and over again; but stillin all of them teaching himself to think that this engagement of hiswas a misfortune. Poor Lily! Her last words to him had conveyed anassurance that she would never distrust him. And she also, as she laywakeful in her bed on this the first morning of his absence, thoughtmuch of their mutual vows. How true she would be to them! How shewould be his wife with all her heart and spirit! It was not onlythat she would love him;--but in her love she would serve him to herutmost; serve him as regarded this world, and if possible as regardedthe next. 

"Bell, " she said, "I wish you were going to be married too. "

"Thank'ye, dear, " said Bell, "Perhaps I shall some day. "

"Ah; but I'm not joking. It seems such a serious thing. And I can'texpect you to talk to me about it now as you would if you were in thesame position yourself. Do you think I shall make him happy?"

"Yes, I do, certainly. "

"Happier than he would be with any one else that he might meet? Idare not think that. I think I could give him up to-morrow, if Icould see any one that would suit him better. " What would Lily havesaid had she been made acquainted with all the fascinations of LadyAlexandrina de Courcy?

The countess was very civil to him, saying nothing about hisengagement, but still talking to him a good deal about his sojourn atAllington. Crosbie was a pleasant man for ladies in a large house. Though a sportsman, he was not so keen a sportsman as to be alwaysout with the gamekeepers. Though a politician, he did not sacrificehis mornings to the perusal of blue-books or the preparation of partytactics. Though a reading man, he did not devote himself to study. Though a horseman, he was not often to be found in the stables. Hecould supply conversation when it was wanted, and could take himselfout of the way when his presence among the women was not needed. Between breakfast and lunch on the day following his arrival hetalked a good deal to the countess, and made himself very agreeable. She continued to ridicule him gently for his prolonged stay among soprimitive and rural a tribe of people as the Dales, and he bore herlittle sarcasm with the utmost good-humour. 

"Six weeks at Allington without a move! Why, Mr Crosbie, you musthave felt yourself to be growing there. "

"So I did--like an ancient tree. Indeed, I was so rooted that I couldhardly get away. "

"Was the house full of people all the time?"

"There was nobody there but Bernard Dale, Lady Julia's nephew. "

"Quite a case of Damon and Pythias. Fancy your going down tothe shades of Allington to enjoy the uninterrupted pleasures offriendship for six weeks. "

"Friendship and the partridges. "

"There was nothing else, then?"

"Indeed there was. There was a widow with two very nice daughters, living, not exactly in the same house, but on the same grounds. "

"Oh, indeed. That makes such a difference; doesn't it? You are not aman to bear much privation on the score of partridges, nor a greatdeal, I imagine, for friendship. But when you talk of pretty girls--"

"It makes a difference, doesn't it?"

"A very great difference. I think I have heard of that Mrs Dalebefore. And so her girls are nice?"

"Very nice indeed. "

"Play croquet, I suppose, and eat syllabub on the lawn? But, really, didn't you get very tired of it?"

"Oh dear, no. I was happy as the day was long. "

"Going about with a crook, I suppose?"

"Not exactly a live crook; but doing all that kind of thing. Ilearned a great deal about pigs. "

"Under the guidance of Miss Dale?"

"Yes; under the guidance of Miss Dale. "

"I'm sure one is very much obliged to you for tearing yourself awayfrom such charms, and coming to such unromantic people as we are. But I fancy men always do that sort of thing once or twice in theirlives, --and then they talk of their souvenirs. I suppose it won't gobeyond a souvenir with you. "

This was a direct question, but still admitted of a fencing answer. "It has, at any rate, given me one, " said he, "which will last me mylife!"

The countess was quite contented. That Lady Julia's statement wasaltogether true she had never for a moment doubted. That Crosbieshould become engaged to a young lady in the country, whereas he hadshown signs of being in love with her daughter in London, was notat all wonderful. Nor, in her eyes, did such practice amount to anygreat sin. Men did so daily, and girls were prepared for their sodoing. A man in her eyes was not to be regarded as safe from attackbecause he was engaged. Let the young lady who took upon herself toown him have an eye to that. When she looked back on the past careersof her own flock, she had to reckon more than one such disappointmentfor her own daughters. Others besides Alexandrina had been sotreated. Lady de Courcy had had her grand hopes respecting hergirls, and after them moderate hopes, and again after them bitterdisappointments. Only one had been married, and she was married toan attorney. It was not to be supposed that she would have any veryhigh-toned feelings as to Lily's rights in this matter. 

Such a man as Crosbie was certainly no great match for an earl'sdaughter. Such a marriage, indeed, would, one may say, be but a poortriumph. When the countess, during the last season in town, hadobserved how matters were going with Alexandrina, she had cautionedher child, taking her to task for her imprudence. But the childhad been at this work for fourteen years, and was weary of it. Hersisters had been at the work longer, and had almost given it up indespair. Alexandrina did not tell her parent that her heart was nowbeyond her control, and that she had devoted herself to Crosbie forever; but she pouted, saying that she knew very well what she wasabout, scolding her mother in return, and making Lady de Courcyperceive that the struggle was becoming very weary. And then therewere other considerations. Mr Crosbie had not much certainly in hisown possession, but he was a man out of whom something might be madeby family influence and his own standing. He was not a hopeless, ponderous man, whom no leaven could raise. He was one of whoseposition in society the countess and her daughters need not beashamed. Lady de Courcy had given no expressed consent to thearrangement, but it had come to be understood between her and herdaughter that the scheme was to be entertained as admissible. 

Then came these tidings of the little girl down at Allington. Shefelt no anger against Crosbie. To be angry on such a subject wouldbe futile, foolish, and almost indecorous. It was a part of the gamewhich was as natural to her as fielding is to a cricketer. One cannothave it all winnings at any game. Whether Crosbie should eventuallybecome her own son-in-law or not it came to her naturally, as a partof her duty in life, to howl down the stumps of that young lady atAllington. If Miss Dale knew the game well and could protect her ownwicket, let her do so. 

She had no doubt as to Crosbie's engagement with Lilian Dale, butshe had as little as to his being ashamed of that engagement. Hadhe really cared for Miss Dale he would not have left her to come toCourcy Castle. Had he been really resolved to marry her, he would nothave warded all questions respecting his engagement with fictitiousanswers. He had amused himself with Lily Dale, and it was to be hopedthat the young lady had not thought very seriously about it. That wasthe most charitable light in which Lady de Courcy was disposed toregard the question. 

It behoved Crosbie to write to Lily Dale before dinner. He hadpromised to do so immediately on his arrival, and he was aware thathe would be regarded as being already one day beyond his promise. Lily had told him that she would live upon his letters, and it wasabsolutely necessary that he should furnish her with her first meal. So he betook himself to his room in sufficient time before dinner, and got out his pen, ink, and paper. 

He got out his pen, ink, and paper, and then he found that hisdifficulties were beginning. I beg that it may be understood thatCrosbie was not altogether a villain. He could not sit down and writea letter as coming from his heart, of which as he wrote it he knewthe words to be false. He was an ungenerous, worldly, inconstant man, very prone to think well of himself, and to give himself credit forvirtues which he did not possess; but he could not be false withpremeditated cruelty to a woman he had sworn to love. He could notwrite an affectionate, warm-hearted letter to Lily, without bringinghimself, at any rate for the time, to feel towards her in anaffectionate, warm-hearted way. Therefore he now sat himself to work, while his pen yet remained dry in his hand, to remodel his thoughts, which had been turned against Lily and Allington by the craft of Ladyde Courcy. It takes some time before a man can do this. He has tostruggle with himself in a very uncomfortable way, making effortswhich are often unsuccessful. It is sometimes easier to lift a coupleof hundredweights than to raise a few thoughts in one's mind which atother moments will come galloping in without a whistle. 

He had just written the date of his letter when a little tap came athis door, and it was opened. 

"I say, Crosbie, " said the Honourable John, "didn't you say somethingyesterday about a cigar before dinner?"

"Not a word, " said Crosbie, in rather an angry tone. 

"Then it must have been me, " said John. "But bring your case withyou, and come down to the harness-room, if you won't smoke here. I'vehad a regular little snuggery fitted up there; and we can go in andsee the fellows making up the horses. "

Crosbie wished the Honourable John at the mischief. 

"I have letters to write, " said he. "Besides, I never smoke beforedinner. "

"That's nonsense. I've smoked hundreds of cigars with you beforedinner. Are you going to turn curmudgeon, too, like George and therest of them? I don't know what's coming to the world! I suppose thefact is, that little girl at Allington won't let you smoke. "

"The little girl at Allington--" began Crosbie; and then he reflectedthat it would not be well for him to say anything to his presentcompanion about that little girl. "I'll tell you what it is, " saidhe. "I really have got letters to write which must go by this post. There's my cigar-case on the dressing-table. "

"I hope it will be long before I'm brought to such a state, " saidJohn, taking up the cigars in his hand. 

"Let me have the case back, " said Crosbie. 

"A present from the little girl, I suppose?" said John. "All right, old fellow! you shall have it. "

"There would be a nice brother-in-law for a man, " said Crosbie tohimself, as the door closed behind the retreating scion of the deCourcy family. And then, again, he took up his pen. The letter mustbe written, and therefore he threw himself upon the table, resolvedthat the words should come and the paper be filled. 

 COURCY CASTLE, October, 186--. 

 DEAREST LILY, --

 This is the first letter I ever wrote to you, except those little notes when I sent you my compliments discreetly, --and it sounds so odd. You will think that this does not come as soon as it should; but the truth is that after all I only got in here just before dinner yesterday. I stayed ever so long at Barchester, and came across such a queer character. For you must know I went to church, and afterwards fraternised with the clergyman who did the service; such a gentle old soul, --and, singularly enough, he is the grandfather of Lady Dumbello, who is staying here. I wonder what you'd think of Lady Dumbello, or how you'd like to be shut up in the same house with her for a week?

 But with reference to my staying at Barchester, I must tell you the truth now, though I was a gross impostor the day that I went away. I wanted to avoid a parting on that last morning, and therefore I started much sooner than I need have done. I know you will be very angry with me; but open confession is good for the soul. You frustrated all my little plan by your early rising; and as I saw you standing on the terrace, looking after us as we went, I acknowledged that you had been right, and that I was wrong. When the time came, I was very glad to have you with me at the last moment. 

 My own dearest Lily, you cannot think how different this place is from the two houses at Allington, or how much I prefer the sort of life which belongs to the latter. I know that I have been what the world calls worldly, but you will have to cure me of that. I have questioned myself very much since I left you, and I do not think that I am quite beyond the reach of a cure. At any rate, I will put myself trustingly into the doctor's hands. I know it is hard for a man to change his habits; but I can with truth say this for myself, that I was happy at Allington, enjoying every hour of the day, and that here I am _ennuyé_ by everybody and nearly by everything. One of the girls of the house I do like; but as to other people, I can hardly find a companion among them, let alone a friend. However, it would not have done for me to have broken away from all such alliance too suddenly. 

 When I get up to London--and now I really am anxious to get there--I can write to you more at my ease, and more freely than I do here. I know that I am hardly myself among these people, --or rather, I am hardly myself as you know me, and as I hope you always will know me. But, nevertheless, I am not so overcome by the miasma but what I can tell you how truly I love you. Even though my spirit should be here, which it is not, my heart would be on the Allington lawns. That dear lawn and that dear bridge!

 Give my kind love to Bell and your mother. I feel already that I might almost say my mother. And Lily, my darling, write to me at once. I expect your letters to me to be longer, and better, and brighter than mine to you. But I will endeavour to make mine nicer when I get back to town. 

 God bless you. Yours, with all my heart, A. C. 

As he waxed warm with his writing he had forced himself to beaffectionate, and, as he flattered himself, frank and candid. Nevertheless, he was partly conscious that he was preparing forhimself a mode of escape in those allusions of his to his ownworldliness; if escape should ultimately be necessary. "I havetried, " he would then say; "I have struggled honestly, with my bestefforts for success; but I am not good enough for such success. " I donot intend to say that he wrote with a premeditated intention of thususing his words; but as he wrote them he could not keep himself fromreflecting that they might be used in that way. 

He read his letter over, felt satisfied with it, and resolved thathe might now free his mind from that consideration for the nextforty-eight hours. Whatever might be his sins he had done his duty byLily! And with this comfortable reflection he deposited his letter inthe Courcy Castle letter-box. 

CHAPTER XIX

The Squire Makes a Visit to the Small House

Mrs Dale acknowledged to herself that she had not much ground forhoping that she should ever find in Crosbie's house much personalhappiness for her future life. She did not dislike Mr Crosbie, nor inany great degree mistrust him; but she had seen enough of him to makeher certain that Lily's future home in London could not be a homefor her. He was worldly, or, at least, a man of the world. He wouldbe anxious to make the most of his income, and his life would be onelong struggle, not perhaps for money, but for those things whichmoney only can give. There are men to whom eight hundred a year isgreat wealth, and houses to which it brings all the comforts thatlife requires. But Crosbie was not such a man, nor would his house besuch a house. Mrs Dale hoped that Lily would be happy with him, andsatisfied with his modes of life, and she strove to believe that suchwould be the case; but as regarded herself she was forced to confessthat in such a marriage her child would be much divided from her. That pleasant abode to which she had long looked forward that shemight have a welcome there in coming years should be among fieldsand trees, not in some narrow London street. Lily must now become acity lady; but Bell would still be left to her, and it might stillbe hoped that Bell would find for herself some country home. 

Since the day on which Lily had first told her mother of herengagement, Mrs Dale had found herself talking much more fully andmore frequently with Bell than with her younger daughter. As long asCrosbie was at Allington this was natural enough. He and Lily were ofcourse together, while Bell remained with her mother. But the samestate of things continued even after Crosbie was gone. It was notthat there was any coolness or want of affection between the motherand daughter, but that Lily's heart was full of her lover, and thatMrs Dale, though she had given her cordial consent to the marriage, felt that she had but few points of sympathy with her futureson-in-law. She had never said, even to herself, that she dislikedhim; nay, she had sometimes declared to herself that she was fond ofhim. But, in truth, he was not a man after her own heart. He was notone who could ever be to her as her own son and her own child. 

But she and Bell would pass hours together talking of Lily'sprospects. "It seems strange to me, " said Mrs Dale, "that she of allgirls should have been fancied by such a man as Mr Crosbie, or thatshe should have liked him. I cannot imagine Lily living in London. "

"If he is good and affectionate to her she will be happy wherever heis, " said Bell. 

"I hope so;--I'm sure I hope so. But it seems as though she will beso far separated from us. It is not the distance, but the manner oflife which makes the separation. I hope you'll never be taken so farfrom me. "

"I don't think I shall allow myself to be taken up to London, " saidBell, laughing. "But one can never tell. If I do you must follow us, mamma. "

"I do not want another Mr Crosbie for you, dear. "

"But perhaps I may want one for myself. You need not tremble quiteyet, however. Apollos do not come this road every day. "

"Poor Lily! Do you remember when she first called him Apollo? I do, well. I remember his coming here the day after Bernard brought himdown, and how you were playing on the lawn, while I was in the othergarden. I little thought then what it would come to. "

"But, mamma, you don't regret it?"

"Not if it's to make her happy. If she can be happy with him, ofcourse I shall not regret it; not though he were to take her to theworld's end away from us. What else have I to look for but that sheand you should both be happy?"

"Men in London are happy with their wives as well as men in thecountry. "

"Oh, yes; of all women I should be the first to acknowledge that. "

"And as to Adolphus himself, I do not know why we should distrusthim. "

"No, my dear; there is no reason. If I did distrust him I should nothave given so ready an assent to the marriage. But, nevertheless--"

"The truth is, you don't like him, mamma. "

"Not so cordially as I hope I may like any man whom you may choosefor your husband. "

And Lily, though she said nothing on the subject to Mrs Dale, feltthat her mother was in some degree estranged from her. Crosbie's namewas frequently mentioned between them, but in the tone of Mrs Dale'svoice, and in her manner when she spoke of him, there was lackingthat enthusiasm and heartiness which real sympathy would haveproduced. Lily did not analyse her own feelings, or closely makeinquiry as to those of her mother, but she perceived that it was notall as she would have wished it to have been. "I know mamma does notlove him, " she said to Bell on the evening of the day on which shereceived Crosbie's first letter. 

"Not as you do, Lily; but she does love him. "

"Not as I do! To say that is nonsense, Bell; of course she does notlove him as I do. But the truth is she does not love him at all. Doyou think I cannot see it?"

"I'm afraid that you see too much. "

"She never says a word against him; but if she really liked him shewould sometimes say a word in his favour. I do not think she wouldever mention his name unless you or I spoke of him before her. If shedid not approve of him, why did she not say so sooner?"

"That's hardly fair upon mamma, " said Bell, with some earnestness. "She does not disapprove of him, and she never did. You know mammawell enough to be sure that she would not interfere with us in sucha matter without very strong reason. As regards Mr Crosbie, she gaveher consent without a moment's hesitation. "

"Yes, she did. "

"How can you say, then, that she disapproves of him?"

"I didn't mean to find fault with mamma. Perhaps it will come allright. "

"It will come all right. " But Bell, though she made this verysatisfactory promise, was as well aware as either of the others thatthe family would be divided when Crosbie should have married Lily andtaken her off to London. 

On the following morning Mrs Dale and Bell were sitting together. Lily was above in her own room, either writing to her lover, orreading his letter, or thinking of him, or working for him. In someway she was employed on his behalf, and with this object she wasalone. It was now the middle of October, and the fire was lit inMrs Dale's drawing-room. The window which opened upon the lawn wasclosed, the heavy curtains had been put back in their places, andit had been acknowledged as an unwelcome fact that the last of thesummer was over. This was always a sorrow to Mrs Dale; but it is oneof those sorrows which hardly admit of open expression. 

"Bell, " she said, looking up suddenly; "there's your uncle at thewindow. Let him in. " For now, since the putting up of the curtains, the window had been bolted as well as closed. So Bell got up, andopened a passage for the squire's entrance. It was not often that hecame down in this way, and when he did do so it was generally forsome purpose which had been expressed before. 

"What! fires already?" said he. "I never have fires at the otherhouse in the morning till the first of November. I like to see aspark in the grate after dinner. "

"I like a fire when I'm cold, " said Mrs Dale. But this was a subjecton which the squire and his sister-in-law had differed before, and asMr Dale had some business in hand, he did not now choose to waste hisenergy in supporting his own views on the question of fires. 

"Bell, my dear, " said he, "I want to speak to your mother for aminute or two on a matter of business. You wouldn't mind leaving usfor a little while, would you?" Whereupon Bell collected up her workand went upstairs to her sister. "Uncle Christopher is below withmamma, " said she, "talking about business. I suppose it is somethingto do with your marriage. " But Bell was wrong. The squire's visit hadno reference to Lily's marriage. 

Mrs Dale did not move or speak a word when Bell was gone, though itwas evident that the squire paused in order that she might ask somequestion of him. "Mary, " said he, at last, "I'll tell you what itis that I have come to say to you. " Whereupon she put the piece ofneedlework which was in her hands down upon the work-basket beforeher, and settled herself to listen to him. 

"I wish to speak to you about Bell. "

"About Bell?" said Mrs Dale, as though much surprised that he shouldhave anything to say to her respecting her eldest daughter. 

"Yes, about Bell. Here's Lily going to be married, and it will bewell that Bell should be married too. "

"I don't see that at all, " said Mrs Dale. "I am by no means in ahurry to be rid of her. "

"No, I dare say not. But, of course, you only regard her welfare, andI can truly say that I do the same. There would be no necessity forhurry as to a marriage for her under ordinary circumstances, butthere may be circumstances to make such a thing desirable, and Ithink that there are. " It was evident from the squire's tone andmanner that he was very much in earnest; but it was also evident thathe found some difficulty in opening out the budget with which he hadprepared himself. He hesitated a little in his voice, and seemed tobe almost nervous. Mrs Dale, with some little spice of ill-nature, altogether abstained from assisting him. She was jealous ofinterference from him about her girls, and though she was of coursebound to listen to him, she did so with a prejudice against andalmost with a resolve to oppose anything that he might say. When hehad finished his little speech about circumstances, the squire pausedagain; but Mrs Dale still sat silent, with her eyes fixed upon hisface. 

"I love your children very dearly;" said he, "though I believe youhardly give me credit for doing so. "

"I am sure you do, " said Mrs Dale, "and they are both well aware ofit. "

"And I am very anxious that they should be comfortably established inlife. I have no children of my own, and those of my two brothers areeverything to me. "

Mrs Dale had always considered it as a matter of course that Bernardshould be the squire's heir, and had never felt that her daughtershad any claim on that score. It was a well-understood thing in thefamily that the senior male Dale should have all the Dale propertyand all the Dale money. She fully recognised even the propriety ofsuch an arrangement. But it seemed to her that the squire was almostguilty of hypocrisy in naming his nephew and his two nieces together, as though they were the joint heirs of his love. Bernard was hisadopted son, and no one had begrudged to the uncle the right ofmaking such adoption. Bernard was everything to him, and as being hisheir was bound to obey him in many things. But her daughters were nomore to him than any nieces might be to any uncle. He had nothingto do with their disposal in marriage; and the mother's spiritwas already up in arms and prepared to do battle for her ownindependence, and for that of her children. "If Bernard wouldmarry well, " said she, "I have no doubt it would be a comfort toyou, "--meaning to imply thereby that the squire had no right totrouble himself about any other marriage. 

"That's just it, " said the squire. "It would be a great comfort tome. And if he and Bell could make up their minds together, it would, I should think, be a great comfort to you also. "

"Bernard and Bell!" exclaimed Mrs Dale. No idea of such a union hadever yet come upon her, and now in her surprise she sat silent. She had always liked Bernard Dale, having felt for him more familyaffection than for any other of the Dale family beyond her ownhearth. He had been very intimate in her house, having made himselfalmost as a brother to her girls. But she had never thought of him asa husband for either of them. 

"Then Bell has not spoken to you about it, " said the squire. 

"Never a word. "

"And you had never thought about it?"

"Certainly not. "

"I have thought about it a great deal. For some years I have alwaysbeen thinking of it. I have set my heart upon it, and shall be veryunhappy if it cannot be brought about. They are both very dear tome, --dearer than anybody else. If I could see them man and wife, Ishould not much care then how soon I left the old place to them. "

There was a purer touch of feeling in this than the squire had everbefore shown in his sister-in-law's presence, and more heartinessthan she had given him the credit of possessing. And she could notbut acknowledge to herself that her own child was included in thisunexpected warmth of love, and that she was bound at any rate toentertain some gratitude for such kindness. 

"It is good of you to think of her, " said the mother; "very good. "

"I think a great deal about her, " said the squire. "But that does notmuch matter now. The fact is, that she has declined Bernard's offer. "

"Has Bernard offered to her?"

"So he tells me; and she has refused him. It may perhaps be naturalthat she should do so, never having taught herself to look at him inthe light of a lover. I don't blame her at all. I am not angry withher. "

"Angry with her! No. You can hardly be angry with her for not beingin love with her cousin. "

"I say that I am not angry with her. But I think she might undertaketo consider the question. You would like such a match, would younot?"

Mrs Dale did not at first make any answer, but began to revolve thething in her mind, and to look at it in various points of view. Therewas a great deal in such an arrangement which at the first sightrecommended it to her very strongly. All the local circumstances werein its favour. As regarded herself it would promise to her all thatshe had ever desired. It would give her a prospect of seeing verymuch of Lily; for if Bell were settled at the old family house, Crosbie would naturally be much with his friend. She liked Bernardalso; and for a moment or two fancied, as she turned it all over inher mind, that, even yet, if such a marriage were to take place, there might grow up something like true regard between her and theold squire. How happy would be her old age in that Small House, ifBell with her children were living so close to her!

"Well?" said the squire, who was looking very intently into her face. 

"I was thinking, " said Mrs Dale. "Do you say that she has alreadyrefused him?"

"I am afraid she has; but then you know--"

"It must of course be left for her to judge. "

"If you mean that she cannot be made to marry her cousin, of coursewe all know she can't. "

"I mean rather more than that. "

"What do you mean, then?"

"That the matter must be left altogether to her own decision; thatno persuasion must be used by you or me. If he can persuade her, indeed--"

"Yes, exactly. He must persuade her. I quite agree with you that heshould have liberty to plead his own cause. But look you here, Mary;--she has always been a very good child to you--"

"Indeed she has. "

"And a word from you would go a long way with her, --as it ought. Ifshe knows that you would like her to marry her cousin, it will makeher think it her duty--"

"Ah! but that is just what I cannot try to make her think. "

"Will you let me speak, Mary? You take me up and scold me before thewords are half out of my mouth. Of course I know that in these daysa young lady is not to be compelled into marrying anybody;--not butthat, as far as I can see, they did better than they do now when theyhad not quite so much of their own way. "

"I never would take upon myself to ask a child to marry any man. "

"But you may explain to her that it is her duty to give such aproposal much thought before it is absolutely refused. A girl eitheris in love or she is not. If she is, she is ready to jump down aman's throat; and that was the case with Lily. "

"She never thought of the man till he had proposed to her fully. "

"Well, never mind now. But if a girl is not in love, she thinks sheis bound to swear and declare that she never will be so. "

"I don't think Bell ever declared anything of the kind. "

"Yes, she did. She told Bernard that she didn't love him and couldn'tlove him, --and, in fact, that she wouldn't think anything more aboutit. Now, Mary, that's what I call being headstrong and positive. Idon't want to drive her, and I don't want you to drive her. But hereis an arrangement which for her will be a very good one; you mustadmit that. We all know that she is on excellent terms with Bernard. It isn't as though they had been falling out and hating each otherall their lives. She told him that she was very fond of him, andtalked nonsense about being his sister, and all that. "

"I don't see that it was nonsense at all. "

"Yes, it was nonsense, --on such an occasion. If a man asks a girl tomarry him, he doesn't want her to talk to him about being his sister. I think it is nonsense. If she would only consider about it properlyshe would soon learn to love him. "

"That lesson, if it be learned at all, must be learned without anytutor. "

"You won't do anything to help me then?"

"I will, at any rate, do nothing to mar you. And, to tell the truth, I must think over the matter fully before I can decide what I hadbetter say to Bell about it. From her not speaking to me--"

"I think she ought to have told you. "

"No, Mr Dale. Had she accepted him, of course she would have told me. Had she thought of doing so she might probably have consulted me. Butif she made up her mind that she must reject him--"

"She oughtn't to have made up her mind. "

"But if she did, it seems natural to me that she should speak of itto no one. She might probably think that Bernard would be as wellpleased that it should not be known. "

"Psha, --known!--of course it will be known. As you want time toconsider of it, I will say nothing more now. If she were my daughter, I should have no hesitation in telling her what I thought best forher welfare. "

"I have none; though I may have some in making up my mind as to whatis best for her welfare. But, Mr Dale, you may be sure of this; Iwill speak to her very earnestly of your kindness and love for her. And I wish you would believe that I feel your regard for her verystrongly. "

In answer to this he merely shook his head, and hummed and hawed. "You would be glad to see them married, as regards yourself?" heasked. 

"Certainly I would, " said Mrs Dale. "I have always liked Bernard, andI believe my girl would be safe with him. But then, you see, it's aquestion on which my own likings or dislikings should not have anybearing. "

And so they parted, the squire making his way back again throughthe drawing-room window. He was not above half pleased with hisinterview; but then he was a man for whom half-pleasure almostsufficed. He rarely indulged any expectation that people would makethemselves agreeable to him. Mrs Dale, since she had come to theSmall House, had never been a source of satisfaction to him, but hedid not on that account regret that he had brought her there. Hewas a constant man; urgent in carrying out his own plans, but notsanguine in doing so, and by no means apt to expect that all thingswould go smooth with him. He had made up his mind that his nephew andhis niece should be married, and should he ultimately fail in this, such failure would probably embitter his future life;--but it was notin the nature of the man to be angry in the meantime, or to fume andscold because he met with opposition. He had told Mrs Dale that heloved Bell dearly. So he did, though he seldom spoke to her with muchshow of special regard, and never was soft and tender with her. But, on the other hand, he did not now love her the less because sheopposed his wishes. He was a constant, undemonstrative man, givenrather to brooding than to thinking; harder in his words than in histhoughts, with more of heart than others believed, or than he himselfknew; but, above all, he was a man who having once desired a thingwould desire it always. 

Mrs Dale, when she was left alone, began to turn over the questionin her mind in a much fuller manner than the squire's presence hadas yet made possible for her. Would not such a marriage as this befor them all the happiest domestic arrangement which circumstancescould afford? Her daughter would have no fortune, but here wouldbe prepared for her all the comforts which fortune can give. Shewould be received into her uncle's house, not as some penniless, portionless bride whom Bernard might have married and brought home, but as the wife whom of all others Bernard's friends had thoughtdesirable for him. And then, as regarded Mrs Dale herself, therewould be nothing in such a marriage which would not be delightfulto her. It would give a realisation to all her dreams of futurehappiness. 

But, as she said to herself over and over again, all that must go fornothing. It must be for Bell, and for her only, to answer Bernard'squestion. In her mind there was something sacred in that idea oflove. She would regard her daughter almost as a castaway if she wereto marry any man without absolutely loving him, --loving him as Lilyloved her lover, with all her heart and all her strength. 

With such a conviction as this strong upon her, she felt that shecould not say much to Bell that would be of any service. 

CHAPTER XX

Dr Crofts

If there was anything in the world as to which Isabella Dale wasquite certain, it was this--that she was not in love with Dr Crofts. As to being in love with her cousin Bernard, she had never hadoccasion to ask herself any question on that head. She liked himvery well, but she had never thought of marrying him; and now, whenhe made his proposal, she could not bring herself to think of it. But as regards Dr Crofts, she had thought of it, and had make up hermind--in the manner above described. 

It may be said that she could not have been justified in discussingthe matter even within her own bosom, unless authorised to do so byDr Crofts himself. Let it then be considered that Dr Crofts had givenher some such authority. This may be done in more ways than one; andMiss Dale could not have found herself asking herself questions abouthim, unless there had been fitting occasion for her to do so. 

The profession of a medical man in a small provincial town is notoften one which gives to its owner in early life a large income. Perhaps in no career has a man to work harder for what he earns, orto do more work without earning anything. It has sometimes seemedto me as though the young doctors and the old doctors had agreed todivide between them the different results of their profession, --theyoung doctors doing all the work and the old doctors taking all themoney. If this be so it may account for that appearance of prematuregravity which is borne by so many of the medical profession. Undersuch an arrangement a man may be excused for a desire to put awaychildish things very early in life. 

Dr Crofts had now been practising in Guestwick nearly seven years, having settled himself in that town when he was twenty-three yearsold, and being at this period about thirty. During those sevenyears his skill and industry had been so fully admitted that he hadsucceeded in obtaining the medical care of all the paupers in theunion, for which work he was paid at the rate of one hundred poundsa year. He was also assistant-surgeon at a small hospital which wasmaintained in that town, and held two or three other similar publicpositions, all of which attested his respectability and generalproficiency. They, moreover, thoroughly saved him from any of thedangers of idleness; but, unfortunately, they did not enable himto regard himself as a successful professional man. Whereas old DrGruffen, of whom but few people spoke well, had made a fortune inGuestwick, and even still drew from the ailments of the town aconsiderable and hardly yet decreasing income. Now this was hardupon Dr Crofts--unless there was existing some such well-understoodarrangement as that above named. 

He had been known to the family of the Dales long previous to hissettlement at Guestwick, and had been very intimate with them fromthat time to the present day. Of all the men, young or old, whom MrsDale counted among her intimate friends, he was the one whom she mosttrusted and admired. And he was a man to be trusted by those who knewhim well. He was not bright and always ready, as was Crosbie, nor hadhe all the practical worldly good sense of Bernard Dale. In mentalpower I doubt whether he was superior to John Eames;--to John Eames, such as he might become when the period of his hobbledehoyhood shouldhave altogether passed away. But Crofts, compared with the otherthree, as they all were at present, was a man more to be trusted thanany of them. And there was, moreover, about him an occasional dashof humour, without which Mrs Dale would hardly have regarded himwith that thorough liking which she had for him. But it was a quiethumour, apt to show itself when he had but one friend with him, rather than in general society. Crosbie, on the other hand, wouldbe much more bright among a dozen, than he could with a singlecompanion. Bernard Dale was never bright; and as for Johnny Eames--;but in this matter of brightness, Johnny Eames had not yet shown tothe world what his character might be. 

It was now two years since Crofts had been called upon for medicaladvice on behalf of his friend Mrs Dale. She had then been ill fora long period--some two or three months, and Dr Crofts had beenfrequent in his visits at Allington. At that time he became veryintimate with Mrs Dale's daughters, and especially so with theeldest. Young unmarried doctors ought perhaps to be excluded fromhomes in which there are young ladies. I know, at any rate, that manysage matrons hold very strongly to that opinion, thinking, no doubt, that doctors ought to get themselves married before they ventureto begin working for a living. Mrs Dale, perhaps, regarded her owngirls as still merely children, for Bell, the elder, was then hardlyeighteen; or perhaps she held imprudent and heterodox opinions onthis subject; or it may be that she selfishly preferred Dr Crofts, with all the danger to her children, to Dr Gruffen, with all thedanger to herself. But the result was that the young doctor one dayinformed himself, as he was riding back to Guestwick, that much ofhis happiness in this world would depend on his being able to marryMrs Dale's eldest daughter. At that time his total income amountedto little more than two hundred a year, and he had resolved withinhis own mind that Dr Gruffen was esteemed as much the better doctorby the general public opinion of Guestwick, and that Dr Gruffen'ssandy-haired assistant would even have a better chance of success inthe town than himself, should it ever come to pass that the doctorwas esteemed too old for personal practice. Crofts had no fortune ofhis own, and he was aware that Miss Dale had none. Then, under thosecircumstances, what was he to do?

It is not necessary that we should inquire at any great length intothose love passages of the doctor's life which took place three yearsbefore the commencement of this narrative. He made no declaration toBell; but Bell, young as she was, understood well that he would fainhave done so, had not his courage failed him, or rather had not hisprudence prevented him. To Mrs Dale he did speak, not openly avowinghis love even to her, but hinting at it, and then talking to her ofhis unsatisfied hopes and professional disappointments. "It is notthat I complain of being poor as I am, " said he, "or at any rate, notso poor that my poverty must be any source of discomfort to me; but Icould hardly marry with such an income as I have at present. "

"But it will increase, will it not?" said Mrs Dale. 

"It may some day, when I am becoming an old man, " he said. "But ofwhat use will it be to me then?"

Mrs Dale could not tell him that, as far as her voice in the matterwent, he was welcome to woo her daughter and marry her, poor ashe was, and doubly poor as they would both be together on such apittance. He had not even mentioned Bell's name, and had he doneso she could only have bade him wait and hope. After that he saidnothing further to her upon the subject. To Bell he spoke no wordof overt love; but on an autumn day, when Mrs Dale was alreadyconvalescent, and the repetition of his professional visits hadbecome unnecessary, he got her to walk with him through thehalf-hidden shrubbery paths, and then told her things which he shouldnever have told her, if he really wished to bind her heart to his. He repeated that story of his income, and explained to her thathis poverty was only grievous to him in that it prevented him fromthinking of marriage. "I suppose it must, " said Bell. "I should thinkit wrong to ask any lady to share such an income as mine, " said he. Whereupon Bell had suggested to him that some ladies had incomes oftheir own, and that he might in that way get over the difficulty. "Ishould be afraid of myself in marrying a girl with money, " said he;"besides, that is altogether out of the question now. " Of course Belldid not ask him why it was out of the question, and for a time theywent on walking in silence. "It is a hard thing to do, " he thensaid, --not looking at her, but looking at the gravel on which hestood. "It is a hard thing to do, but I will determine to think ofit no further. I believe a man may be as happy single as he maymarried, --almost. " "Perhaps more so, " said Bell. Then the doctor lefther, and Bell, as I have said before, made up her mind with greatfirmness that she was not in love with him. I may certainly say thatthere was nothing in the world as to which she was so certain as shewas of this. 

And now, in these days, Dr Crofts did not come over to Allington veryoften. Had any of the family in the Small House been ill, he wouldhave been there of course. The squire himself employed the apothecaryin the village, or if higher aid was needed, would send for DrGruffen. On the occasion of Mrs Dale's party, Crofts was there, having been specially invited; but Mrs Dale's special invitationsto her friends were very few, and the doctor was well aware that hemust himself make occasion for going there if he desired to see theinmates of the house. But he very rarely made such occasion, perhapsfeeling that he was more in his element at the workhouse and thehospital. 

Just at this time, however, he made one very great and unexpectedstep towards success in his profession. He was greatly surprised onemorning by being summoned to the Manor House to attend upon LordDe Guest. The family at the Manor had employed Dr Gruffen for thelast thirty years, and Crofts, when he received the earl's message, could hardly believe the words. "The earl ain't very bad, " said theservant, "but he would be glad to see you if possible a little beforedinner. "

"You're sure he wants to see me?" said Crofts. 

"Oh, yes; I'm sure enough of that, sir. "

"It wasn't Dr Gruffen?"

"No, sir; it wasn't Dr Gruffen. I believe his lordship's had aboutenough of Dr Gruffen. The doctor took to chaffing his lordship oneday. "

"Chaffed his lordship;--his hands and feet, and that sort of thing?"suggested the doctor. 

"Hands and feet!" said the man. "Lord bless you, sir, he poked hisfun at him, just as though he was nobody. I didn't hear, but MrsConnor says that my lord's back was up terribly high. " And so DrCrofts got on his horse and rode up to Guestwick Manor. 

The earl was alone, Lady Julia having already gone to Courcy Castle. "How d'ye do, how d'ye do?" said the earl. "I'm not very ill, butI want to get a little advice from you. It's quite a trifle, butI thought it well to see somebody. " Whereupon Dr Crofts of coursedeclared that he was happy to wait upon his lordship. 

"I know all about you, you know, " said the earl. "Your grandmotherStoddard was a very old friend of my aunt's. You don't remember LadyJemima?"

"No, " said Crofts. "I never had that honour. "

"An excellent old woman, and knew your grandmother Stoddard well. Yousee, Gruffen has been attending us for I don't know how many years;but upon my word--" and then the earl stopped himself. 

"It's an ill wind that blows nobody any good, " said Crofts, with aslight laugh. 

"Perhaps it'll blow me some good, for Gruffen never did me any. Thefact is this; I'm very well, you know, --as strong as a horse. "

"You look pretty well. "

"No man could be better, --not of my age. I'm sixty, you know. "

"You don't look as though you were ailing. "

"I'm always out in the open air, and that, I take it, is the bestthing for a man. "

"There's nothing like plenty of exercise, certainly. "

"And I'm always taking exercise, " said the earl. "There isn't a manabout the place works much harder than I do. And, let me tell you, sir, when you undertake to keep six or seven hundred acres of land inyour own hand, you must look after it, unless you mean to lose moneyby it. "

"I've always heard that your lordship is a good farmer. "

"Well, yes; wherever the grass may grow about my place, it doesn'tgrow under my feet. You won't often find me in bed at six o'clock, Ican tell you. "

After this Dr Crofts ventured to ask his lordship as to what specialphysical deficiency his own aid was invoked at the present time. 

"Ah, I was just coming to that, " said the earl. "They tell me it's avery dangerous practice to go to sleep after dinner. "

"It's not very uncommon at any rate, " said the doctor. 

"I suppose not; but Lady Julia is always at me about it. And, totell the truth, I think I sleep almost too sound when I get to myarm-chair in the drawing-room. Sometimes my sister really can't wakeme;--so, at least, she says. "

"And how's your appetite at dinner?"

"Oh, I'm quite right there. I never eat any luncheon, you know, andenjoy my dinner thoroughly. Then I drink three or four glasses ofport wine--"

"And feel sleepy afterwards?"

"That's just it, " said the earl. 

It is not perhaps necessary that we should inquire what was the exactnature of the doctor's advice; but it was, at any rate, given in sucha way that the earl said he would be glad to see him again. 

"And look here, Doctor Crofts, I'm all alone just at present. Supposeyou come over and dine with me to-morrow; then, if I should go tosleep, you know, you'll be able to let me know whether Lady Juliadoesn't exaggerate. Just between ourselves, I don't quite believe allshe says about my--my snoring, you know. "

Whether it was that the earl restrained his appetite when at dinnerunder the doctor's eyes, or whether the mid-day mutton chop which hadbeen ordered for him had the desired effect, or whether the doctor'sconversation was more lively than that of the Lady Julia, we will notsay; but the earl, on the evening in question, was triumphant. As hesat in his easy-chair after dinner he hardly winked above once ortwice; and when he had taken the large bowl of tea, which he usuallyswallowed in a semi-somnolent condition, he was quite lively. 

"Ah, yes, " he said, jumping up and rubbing his eyes; "I think I dofeel lighter. I enjoy a snooze after dinner; I do indeed; I like it;but then, when one comes to go to bed, one does it in such a sneakingsort of way, as though one were in disgrace! And my sister, shethinks it a crime--literally a sin, to go to sleep in a chair. Nobodyever caught her napping! By-the-by, Dr Crofts, did you know that MrCrosbie whom Bernard Dale brought down to Allington? Lady Julia andhe are staying at the same house now. "

"I met him once at Mrs Dale's. "

"Going to marry one of the girls, isn't he?"

Whereupon Dr Crofts explained that Mr Crosbie was engaged to LilianDale. 

"Ah, yes; a nice girl I'm told. You know all those Dales areconnections of ours. My sister Fanny married their uncle Orlando. Mybrother-in-law doesn't like travelling, and so I don't see very muchof him; but of course I'm interested about the family. "

"They're very old friends of mine, " said Crafts. 

"Yes, I dare say. There are two girls, are there not?"

"Yes, two. "

"And Miss Lily is the youngest. There's nothing about the elder onegetting married, is there?"

"I've not heard anything of it. "

"A very pretty girl she is, too. I remember seeing her at her uncle'slast year. I shouldn't wonder if she were to marry her cousinBernard. He is to have the property, you know; and he's my nephew. "

"I'm not quite sure that it's a good thing for cousins to marry, "said Crofts. 

"They do, you know, very often; and it suits some familyarrangements. I suppose Dale must provide for them, and that wouldtake one off his hands without any trouble. "

Dr Crofts didn't exactly see the matter in this light, but he was notanxious to argue it very closely with the earl. "The younger one, " hesaid, "has provided for herself. "

"What; by getting a husband? But I suppose Dale must give hersomething. They're not married yet, you know, and, from what I hear, that fellow may prove a slippery customer. He'll not marry her unlessold Dale gives her something. You'll see if he does. I'm told that hehas got another string to his bow at Courcy Castle. "

Soon after this, Crofts took his horse and rode home, having promisedthe earl that he would dine with him again before long. 

"It'll be a great convenience to me if you'd come about that time, "said the earl, "and as you're a bachelor perhaps you won't mind it. You'll come on Thursday at seven, will you? Take care of yourself. It's as dark as pitch. John, go and open the first gates for DrCrofts. " And then the earl took himself off to bed. 

Crofts, as he rode home, could not keep his mind from thinking of thetwo girls at Allington. "He'll not marry her unless old Dale givesher something. " Had it come to that with the world, that a manmust be bribed into keeping his engagement with a lady? Was thereno romance left among mankind, --no feeling of chivalry? "He's gotanother string to his bow at Courcy Castle, " said the earl; and hislordship seemed to be in no degree shocked as he said it. It was inthis tone that men spoke of women nowadays, and yet he himself hadfelt such awe of the girl he loved, and such a fear lest he mightinjure her in her worldly position, that he had not dared to tell herthat he loved her. 

CHAPTER XXI

John Eames Encounters Two Adventures, and Displays Great Courage inBoth

Lily thought that her lover's letter was all that it should be. She was not quite aware what might be the course of post betweenCourcy and Allington, and had not, therefore, felt very grievouslydisappointed when the letter did not come on the very first day. She had, however, in the course of the morning, walked down tothe post-office, in order that she might be sure that it was notremaining there. 

"Why, miss, they all be delivered; you know that, " said Mrs Crump, the post-mistress. 

"But one might be left behind, I thought. "

"John Postman went up to the house this very day, with a newspaperfor your mamma. I can't make letters for people if folks don't writethem. "

"But they are left behind sometimes, Mrs Crump. He wouldn't come upwith one letter if he'd got nothing else for anybody in the street. "

"Indeed but he would then. I wouldn't let him leave a letter hereno how, nor yet a paper. It's no good you're coming down here forletters, Miss Lily. If he don't write to you, I can't make him doit. " And so poor Lily went home discomforted. 

But the letter came on the next morning, and all was right. Accordingto her judgment it lacked nothing, either in fulness or in affection. When he told her how he had planned his early departure in order thathe might avoid the pain of parting with her on the last moment, shesmiled and pressed the paper, and rejoiced inwardly that she hadgot the better of him as to that manoeuvre. And then she kissed thewords which told her that he had been glad to have her with himat the last moment. When he declared that he had been happier atAllington than he was at Courcy, she believed him thoroughly, andrejoiced that it should be so. And when he accused himself of beingworldly, she excused him, persuading herself that he was nearlyperfect in this respect as in others. Of course a man living inLondon, and having to earn his bread out in the world, must be moreworldly than a country girl; but the fact of his being able to lovesuch a girl, to choose such a one for his wife, --was not that alonesufficient proof that the world had not enslaved him? "My heart is onthe Allington lawns, " he said; and then, as she read the words, shekissed the paper again. 

In her eyes, and to her ears, and to her heart, the letter was abeautiful letter. I believe there is no bliss greater than that whicha thorough love-letter gives to a girl who knows that in receiving itshe commits no fault, --who can open it before her father and motherwith nothing more than the slight blush which the consciousness ofher position gives her. And of all love-letters the first must be thesweetest! What a value there is in every word! How each expression isscanned and turned to the best account! With what importance are allthose little phrases invested, which too soon become mere phrases, used as a matter of course. Crosbie had finished his letter bybidding God bless her; "And you too, " said Lily, pressing the letterto her bosom. 

"Does he say anything particular?" asked Mrs Dale. 

"Yes, mamma; it's all very particular. "

"But there's nothing for the public ear. "

"He sends his love to you and Bell. "

"We are very much obliged to him. "

"So you ought to be. And he says that he went to church going throughBarchester, and that the clergyman was the grandfather of that LadyDumbello. When he got to Courcy Castle Lady Dumbello was there. "

"What a singular coincidence!" said Mrs Dale. 

"I won't tell you a word more about his letter, " said Lily. So shefolded it up, and put it in her pocket. But as soon as she foundherself alone in her own room, she had it out again, and read it oversome half-a-dozen times. 

That was the occupation of her morning, --that, and the manufactureof some very intricate piece of work which was intended for theadornment of Mr Crosbie's person. Her hands, however, were very fullof work;--or, rather, she intended that they should be full. Shewould take with her to her new home, when she was married, all mannerof household gear, the produce of her own industry and economy. Shehad declared that she wanted to do something for her future husband, and she would begin that something at once. And in this matter shedid not belie her promises to herself, or allow her good intentionsto evaporate unaccomplished. She soon surrounded herself with hardertasks than those embroidered slippers with which she indulged herselfimmediately after his departure. And Mrs Dale and Bell, though intheir gentle way they laughed at her, --nevertheless they worked withher, sitting sternly to their long tasks, in order that Crosbie'shouse might not be empty when their darling should go to take herplace there as his wife. 

But it was absolutely necessary that the letter should be answered. It would in her eyes have been a great sin to have let that day'spost go without carrying a letter from her to Courcy Castle, --a sinof which she felt no temptation to be guilty. It was an exquisitepleasure to her to seat herself at her little table, with her neatdesk and small appurtenances for epistle-craft, and to feel that shehad a letter to write in which she had truly much to say. Hithertoher correspondence had been uninteresting and almost weak in itsnature. From her mother and sister she had hardly been yet parted;and though she had other friends, she had seldom found herself withvery much to tell them by post. What could she communicate to MaryEames at Guestwick, which should be in itself exciting as she wroteit? When she wrote to John Eames, and told "Dear John" that mammahoped to have the pleasure of seeing him to tea at such an hour, thework of writing was of little moment to her, though the note whenwritten became one of the choicest treasures of him to whom it wasaddressed. 

But now the matter was very different. When she saw the words"Dearest Adolphus" on the paper before her, she was startled withtheir significance. "And four months ago I had never even heard ofhim, " she said to herself, almost with awe. And now he was more toher, and nearer to her, than even was her sister or her mother! Sherecollected how she had laughed at him behind his back, and calledhim a swell on the first day of his coming to the Small House, andhow, also, she had striven, in her innocent way, to look her bestwhen called upon to go out and walk with the stranger from London. He was no longer a stranger now, but her own dearest friend. 

She had put down her pen that she might think of all this--by nomeans for the first time--and then resumed it with a sudden start asthough fearing that the postman might be in the village before herletter was finished. "Dearest Adolphus, I need not tell you howdelighted I was when your letter was brought to me this morning. " ButI will not repeat the whole of her letter here. She had no incidentto relate, none even so interesting as that of Mr Crosbie's encounterwith Mr Harding at Barchester. She had met no Lady Dumbello, and hadno counterpart to Lady Alexandrina, of whom, as a friend, she couldsay a word in praise. John Eames's name she did not mention, knowingthat John Eames was not a favourite with Mr Crosbie; nor had sheanything to say of John Eames, that had not been already said. Hehad, indeed, promised to come over to Allington; but this visit hadnot been made when Lily wrote her first letter to Crosbie. It was asweet, good, honest love-letter, full of assurances of unalterableaffection and unlimited confidence, indulging in a little quiet funas to the grandees of Courcy Castle, and ending with a promise thatshe would be happy and contented if she might receive his lettersconstantly, and live with the hope of seeing him at Christmas. 

"I am in time, Mrs Crump, am I not?" she said, as she walked into thepost-office. 

"Of course you be, --for the next half-hour. T' postman he bain'tstirred from t' ale'us yet. Just put it into t' box wull ye?"

"But you won't leave it there?"

"Leave it there! Did you ever hear the like of that? If you'reafeared to put it in, you can take it away; that's all about it, Miss Lily. " And then Mrs Crump turned away to her avocations at thewashing-tub. Mrs Crump had a bad temper, but perhaps she had someexcuse. A separate call was made upon her time with reference toalmost every letter brought to her office, and for all this, as sheoften told her friends in profound disgust, she received as salary nomore than "tuppence farden a day. It don't find me in shoe-leather;no more it don't. " As Mrs Crump was never seen out of her own house, unless it was in church once a month, this latter assertion about hershoe-leather could hardly have been true. 

Lily had received another letter, and had answered it before Eamesmade his promised visit to Allington. He, as will be remembered, hadalso had a correspondence. He had answered Miss Roper's letter, andhad since that been living in fear of two things; in a lesser fear ofsome terrible rejoinder from Amelia, and in a greater fear of a moreterrible visit from his lady-love. Were she to swoop down in verytruth upon his Guestwick home, and declare herself to his mother andsister as his affianced bride, what mode of escape would then be leftfor him? But this she had not yet done, nor had she even answered hiscruel missive. 

"What an ass I am to be afraid of her!" he said to himself as hewalked along under the elms of Guestwick manor, which overspread theroad to Allington. When he first went over to Allington after hisreturn home, he had mounted himself on horseback, and had gone forthbrilliant with spurs, and trusting somewhat to the glories of hisdress and gloves. But he had then known nothing of Lily's engagement. Now he was contented to walk; and as he had taken up his slouchedhat and stick in the passage of his mother's house, he had been veryindifferent as to his appearance. He walked quickly along the road, taking for the first three miles the shade of the Guestwick elms, andkeeping his feet on the broad greensward which skirts the outside ofthe earl's palings. "What an ass I am to be afraid of her!" And as heswung his big stick in his hand, striking a tree here and there, andknocking the stones from his path, he began to question himself inearnest, and to be ashamed of his position in the world. "Nothing onearth shall make me marry her, " he said; "not if they bring a dozenactions against me. She knows as well as I do, that I have neverintended to marry her. It's a cheat from beginning to end. If shecomes down here, I'll tell her so before my mother. " But as thevision of her sudden arrival came before his eyes, he acknowledged tohimself that he still held her in great fear. He had told her that heloved her. He had written as much as that. If taxed with so much, hemust confess his sin. 

Then, by degrees, his mind turned away from Amelia Roper to LilyDale, not giving him a prospect much more replete with enjoyment thanthat other one. He had said that he would call at Allington before hereturned to town, and he was now redeeming his promise. But he didnot know why he should go there. He felt that he should sit silentand abashed in Mrs Dale's drawing-room, confessing by his demeanourthat secret which it behoved him now to hide from every one. He couldnot talk easily before Lily, nor could he speak to her of the onlysubject which would occupy his thoughts when in her presence. Ifindeed, he might find her alone-- But, perhaps that might be worsefor him than any other condition. 

When he was shown into the drawing-room there was nobody there. "Theywere here a minute ago, all three, " said the servant girl. "If you'llwalk down the garden, Mr John, you'll be sure to find some of 'em. "So John Eames, with a little hesitation, walked down the garden. 

First of all he went the whole way round the walks, meeting nobody. Then he crossed the lawn, returning again to the farther end; andthere, emerging from the little path which led from the Great House, he encountered Lily alone. "Oh, John, " she said, "how d'ye do? I'mafraid you did not find anybody in the house. Mamma and Bell are withHopkins, away in the large kitchen-garden. "

"I've just come over, " said Eames, "because I promised. I said I'dcome before I went back to London. "

"And they'll be very glad to see you, and so am I. Shall we go afterthem into the other grounds? But perhaps you walked over and aretired. "

"I did walk, " said Eames; "not that I am very tired. " But in truthhe did not wish to go after Mrs Dale, though he was altogether at aloss as to what he would say to Lily while remaining with her. He hadfancied that he would like to have some opportunity of speaking toher alone before he went away, --of making some special use of thelast interview which he should have with her before she became amarried woman. But now the opportunity was there, and he hardly daredto avail himself of it. 

"You'll stay and dine with us, " said Lily. 

"No, I'll not do that, for I especially told my mother that I wouldbe back. "

"I'm sure it was very good of you to walk so far to see us. If youreally are not tired, I think we will go to mamma, as she would bevery sorry to miss you. "

This she said, remembering at the moment what had been Crosbie'sinjunctions to her about John Eames. But John had resolved that hewould say those words which he had come to speak, and that, as Lilywas there with him, he would avail himself of the chance whichfortune had given him. 

"I don't think I'll go into the squire's garden, " he said. 

"Uncle Christopher is not there. He is about the farm somewhere. "

"If you don't mind, Lily, I think I'll stay here. I suppose they'llbe back soon. Of course I should like to see them before I go away toLondon. But, Lily, I came over now chiefly to see you. It was you whoasked me to promise. "

Had Crosbie been right in those remarks of his? Had she beenimprudent in her little endeavour to be cordially kind to her oldfriend? "Shall we go into the drawing-room?" she said, feeling thatshe would be in some degree safer there than out among the shrubs andpaths of the garden. And I think she was right in this. A man willtalk of love out among the lilacs and roses, who would be strickendumb by the demure propriety of the four walls of a drawing-room. John Eames also had some feeling of this kind, for he determined toremain out in the garden, if he could so manage it. 

"I don't want to go in unless you wish it, " he said. "Indeed, I'drather stay here. So, Lily, you're going to be married?" And thus herushed at once into the middle of his discourse. 

"Yes, " said she, "I believe I am. "

"I have not told you yet that I congratulate you. "

"I have known very well that you did so in your heart. I have alwaysbeen sure that you wished me well. "

"Indeed I have. And if congratulating a person is hoping that shemay always be happy, I do congratulate you. But, Lily--" And then hepaused, abashed by the beauty, purity, and woman's grace which hadforced him to love her. 

"I think I understand all that you would say. I do not want ordinarywords to tell me that I am to count you among my best friends. "

"No, Lily; you don't understand all that I would say. You have neverknown how often and how much I have thought of you; how dearly I haveloved you. "

"John, you must not talk of that now. "

"I cannot go without telling you. When I came over here, and Mrs Daletold me that you were to be married to that man--"

"You must not speak of Mr Crosbie in that way, " she said, turningupon him almost fiercely. 

"I did not mean to say anything disrespectful of him to you. I shouldhate myself if I were to do so. Of course you like him better thananybody else?"

"I love him better than all the world besides. "

"And so do I love you better than all the world besides. " And as hespoke he got up from his seat and stood before her. "I know how poorI am, and unworthy of you; and only that you are engaged to him, Idon't suppose that I should now tell you. Of course you couldn'taccept such a one as me. But I have loved you ever since youremember; and now that you are going to be his wife, I cannot buttell you that it is so. You will go and live in London; but as to myseeing you there, it will be impossible. I could not go into thatman's house. "

"Oh, John. "

"No, never; not if you become his wife. I have loved you as well ashe does. When Mrs Dale told me of it, I thought I should have fallen. I went away without seeing you because I was unable to speak to you. I made a fool of myself, and have been a fool all along. I am foolishnow to tell you this, but I cannot help it. "

"You will forget it all when you meet some girl that you can reallylove. "

"And have I not really loved you? Well, never mind. I have said whatI came to say, and I will now go. If it ever happens that we are downin the country together, perhaps I may see you again; but never inLondon. Good-bye, Lily. " And he put out his hand to her. 

"And won't you stay for mamma?" she said. 

"No. Give her my love, and to Bell. They understand all about it. They will know why I have gone. If ever you should want anybody to doanything for you, remember that I will do it, whatever it is. " Andas he paced away from her across the lawn, the special deed in herfavour to which his mind was turned, --that one thing which he mostlonged to do on her behalf, --was an act of corporal chastisement uponCrosbie. If Crosbie would but ill-treat her, --ill-treat her with someantenuptial barbarity, --and if only he could be called in to avengeher wrongs! And as he made his way back along the road towardsGuestwick, he built up within his own bosom a castle in the air, forher part in which Lily Dale would by no means have thanked him. 

Lily when she was left alone burst into tears. She had certainly saidvery little to encourage her forlorn suitor, and had so borne herselfduring the interview that even Crosbie could hardly have beendissatisfied; but now that Eames was gone her heart became verytender towards him. She felt that she did love him also;--not at allas she loved Crosbie, but still with a love that was tender, soft, and true. If Crosbie could have known all her thoughts at thatmoment, I doubt whether he would have liked them. She burst intotears, and then hurried away into some nook where she could not beseen by her mother and Bell on their return. 

Eames went on his way, walking very quietly, swinging his stick andkicking through the dust, with his heart full of the scene which hadjust passed. He was angry with himself, thinking that he had playedhis part badly, accusing himself in that he had been rough to her, and selfish in the expression of his love; and he was angry with herbecause she had declared to him that she loved Crosbie better thanall the world besides. He knew that of course she must do so;--thatat any rate it was to be expected that such was the case. Yet, hethought, she might have refrained from saying so to him. "She choosesto scorn me now, " he said to himself; "but the time may come when shewill wish that she had scorned him. " That Crosbie was wicked, bad, and selfish, he believed most fully. He felt sure that the man wouldill-use her and make her wretched. He had some slight doubt whetherhe would marry her, and from this doubt he endeavoured to draw ascrap of comfort. If Crosbie would desert her, and if to him mightbe accorded the privilege of beating the man to death with his fistsbecause of this desertion, then the world would not be quite blankfor him. In all this he was no doubt very cruel to Lily;--but thenhad not Lily been very cruel to him?

He was still thinking of these things when he came to the first ofthe Guestwick pastures. The boundary of the earl's property was veryplainly marked, for with it commenced also the shady elms along theroadside, and the broad green margin of turf, grateful equally tothose who walked and to those who rode. Eames had got himself on tothe grass, but, in the fulness of his thoughts, was unconscious ofthe change in his path, when he was startled by a voice in the nextfield and the loud bellowing of a bull. Lord De Guest's choice cattlehe knew were there, and there was one special bull which was esteemedby his lordship as of great value, and regarded as a high favourite. The people about the place declared that the beast was vicious, butLord De Guest had often been heard to boast that it was never viciouswith him. "The boys tease him, and the men are almost worse than theboys, " said the earl; "but he'll never hurt any one that has not hurthim. " Guided by faith in his own teaching the earl had taught himselfto look upon his bull as a large, horned, innocent lamb of the flock. 

As Eames paused on the road, he fancied that he recognised the earl'svoice, and it was the voice of one in distress. Then the bull's roarsounded very plain in his ear, and almost close; upon hearing whichhe rushed on to the gate, and, without much thinking what he wasdoing, vaulted over it, and advanced a few steps into the field. 

"Halloo!" shouted the earl. "There's a man. Come on. " And then hiscontinued shoutings hardly formed themselves into intelligible words;but Eames plainly understood that he was invoking assistance undergreat pressure and stress of circumstances. The bull was making shortruns at his owner, as though determined in each run to have a tossat his lordship; and at each run the earl would retreat quickly fora few paces, but he retreated always facing his enemy, and as theanimal got near to him, would make digs at his face with the longspud which he carried in his hand. But in thus making good hisretreat he had been unable to keep in a direct line to the gate, and there seemed to be great danger lest the bull should succeed inpressing him up against the hedge. "Come on!" shouted the earl, whowas fighting his battle manfully, but was by no means anxious tocarry off all the laurels of the victory himself. "Come on, I say!"Then he stopped in his path, shouted into the bull's face, brandishedhis spud, and threw about his arms, thinking that he might bestdismay the beast by the display of these warlike gestures. 

Johnny Eames ran on gallantly to the peer's assistance, as he wouldhave run to that of any peasant in the land. He was one to whom Ishould be perhaps wrong to attribute at this period of his life thegift of very high courage. He feared many things which no man shouldfear; but he did not fear personal mishap or injury to his own skinand bones. When Cradell escaped out of the house in Burton Crescent, making his way through the passage into the outer air, he did sobecause he feared that Lupex would beat him or kick him, or otherwiseill-use him. John Eames would also have desired to escape undersimilar circumstances; but he would have so desired because he couldnot endure to be looked upon in his difficulties by the people of thehouse, and because his imagination would have painted the horrorsof a policeman dragging him off with a black eye and a torn coat. There was no one to see him now, and no policeman to take offence. Therefore he rushed to the earl's assistance, brandishing his stick, and roaring in emulation of the bull. 

When the animal saw with what unfairness he was treated, and that thenumber of his foes was doubled, while no assistance had lent itselfon his side, he stood for a while, disgusted by the injustice ofhumanity. He stopped, and throwing his head up to the heavens, bellowed out his complaint. "Don't come close!" said the earl, whowas almost out of breath. "Keep a little apart. Ugh! ugh! whoop, whoop!" And he threw up his arms manfully, jobbing about with hisspud, ever and anon rubbing the perspiration from off his eyebrowswith the back of his hand. 

As the bull stood pausing, meditating whether under suchcircumstances flight would not be preferable to gratified passion, Eames made a rush in at him, attempting to hit him on the head. Theearl, seeing this, advanced a step also, and got his spud almost upto the animal's eye. But these indignities the beast could not stand. He made a charge, bending his head first towards John Eames, andthen, with that weak vacillation which is as disgraceful in a bullas in a general, he changed his purpose, and turned his horns uponhis other enemy. The consequence was that his steps carried him inbetween the two, and that the earl and Eames found themselves for awhile behind his tail. 

"Now for the gate, " said the earl. 

"Slowly does it; slowly does it; don't run!" said Johnny, assuming inthe heat of the moment a tone of counsel which would have been veryforeign to him under other circumstances. 

The earl was not a whit offended. "All right, " said he, taking witha backward motion the direction of the gate. Then as the bull againfaced towards him, he jumped from the ground, labouring painfullywith arms and legs, and ever keeping his spud well advanced againstthe foe. Eames, holding his position a little apart from his friend, stooped low and beat the ground with his stick, and as though defyingthe creature. The bull felt himself defied, stood still and roared, and then made another vacillating attack. 

"Hold on till we reach the gate, " said Eames. 

"Ugh! ugh! Whoop! whoop!" shouted the earl. And so gradually theymade good their ground. 

"Now get over, " said Eames, when they had both reached the corner ofthe field in which the gate stood. 

"And what'll you do?" said the earl. 

"I'll go at the hedge to the right. " And Johnny as he spoke dashedhis stick about, so as to monopolise, for a moment, the attention ofthe brute. The earl made a spring at the gate, and got well on to theupper rung. The bull seeing that his prey was going, made a finalrush upon the earl and struck the timber furiously with his head, knocking his lordship down on the other side. Lord De Guest wasalready over, but not off the rail; and thus, though he fell, hefell in safety on the sward beyond the gate. He fell in safety, bututterly exhausted. Eames, as he had purposed, made a leap almostsideways at a thick hedge which divided the field from one of theGuestwick copses. There was a fairly broad ditch, and on the otherside a quickset hedge, which had, however, been weakened and injuredby trespassers at this corner, close to the gate. Eames was young andactive and jumped well. He jumped so well that he carried his bodyfull into the middle of the quickset, and then scrambled through tothe other side, not without much injury to his clothes, and somedamage also to his hands and face. 

The beast, recovering from his shock against the wooden bars, lookedwistfully at his last retreating enemy, as he still struggled amidstthe bushes. He looked at the ditch and at the broken hedge, but hedid not understand how weak were the impediments in his way. He hadknocked his head against the stout timber, which was strong enoughto oppose him, but was dismayed by the brambles which he might havetrodden under foot without an effort. How many of us are like thebull, turning away conquered by opposition which should be as nothingto us, and breaking our feet, and worse still, our hearts, againstrocks of adamant. The bull at last made up his mind that he did notdare to face the hedge; so he gave one final roar, and then turninghimself round, walked placidly back amidst the herd. 

Johnny made his way on to the road by a stile that led out of thecopse, and was soon standing over the earl, while the blood ran downhis cheeks from the scratches. One of the legs of his trousers hadbeen caught by a stake, and was torn from the hip downward, and hishat was left in the field, the only trophy for the bull. "I hopeyou're not hurt, my lord, " he said. 

"Oh dear, no; but I'm terribly out of breath. Why, you're bleedingall over. He didn't get at you, did he?"

"It's only the thorns in the hedge, " said Johnny, passing his handover his face. "But I've lost my hat. "

"There are plenty more hats, " said the earl. 

"I think I'll have a try for it, " said Johnny, with whom the means ofgetting hats had not been so plentiful as with the earl. "He looksquiet now. " And he moved towards the gate. 

But Lord De Guest jumped upon his feet, and seized the young man bythe collar of his coat. "Go after your hat!" said he. "You must bea fool to think of it. If you're afraid of catching cold, you shallhave mine. "

"I'm not the least afraid of catching cold, " said Johnny. "Is heoften like that, my lord?" And he made a motion with his head towardsthe bull. 

"The gentlest creature alive; he's like a lamb generally--just like alamb. Perhaps he saw my red pocket-handkerchief. " And Lord De Guestshowed his friend that he carried such an article. "But where shouldI have been if you hadn't come up?"

"You'd have got to the gate, my lord. "

"Yes; with my feet foremost, and four men carrying me. I'm verythirsty. You don't happen to carry a flask, do you?"

"No, my lord, I don't. "

"Then we'll make the best of our way home, and have a glass of winethere. " And on this occasion his lordship intended that his offershould be accepted. 

CHAPTER XXII

Lord De Guest at Home

The earl and John Eames, after their escape from the bull, walked upto the Manor House together. "You can write a note to your mother, and I'll send it by one of the boys, " said the earl. This was hislordship's answer when Eames declined to dine at the Manor House, because he would be expected home. 

"But I'm so badly off for clothes, my lord, " pleaded Johnny. "I toremy trousers in the hedge. "

"There will be nobody there beside us two and Dr Crofts. The doctorwill forgive you when he hears the story; and as for me, I didn'tcare if you hadn't a stitch to your back. You'll have company back toGuestwick, so come along. "

Eames had no further excuse to offer, and therefore did as he wasbidden. He was by no means as much at home with the earl now asduring those minutes of the combat. He would rather have gone home, being somewhat ashamed of being seen in his present tattered andbare-headed condition by the servants of the house; and moreover, hismind would sometimes revert to the scene which had taken place in thegarden at Allington. But he found himself obliged to obey the earl, and so he walked on with him through the woods. 

The earl did not say very much, being tired and somewhat thoughtful. In what little he did say he seemed to be specially hurt by theingratitude of the bull towards himself. "I never teased him, orannoyed him in any way. "

"I suppose they are dangerous beasts?" said Eames. 

"Not a bit of it, if they're properly treated. It must have been myhandkerchief, I suppose. I remember that I did blow my nose. "

He hardly said a word in the way of thanks to his assistant. "Whereshould I have been if you had not come to me?" he had exclaimedimmediately after his deliverance; but having said that he didn'tthink it necessary to say much more to Eames. But he made himselfvery pleasant, and by the time he had reached the house his companionwas almost glad that he had been forced to dine at the Manor House. "And now we'll have a drink, " said the earl. "I don't know how youfeel, but I never was so thirsty in my life. "

Two servants immediately showed themselves, and evinced some surpriseat Johnny's appearance. "Has the gentleman hurt himself, my lord?"asked the butler, looking at the blood upon our friend's face. 

"He has hurt his trousers the worst, I believe, " said the earl. "Andif he was to put on any of mine they'd be too short and too big, wouldn't they? I am sorry you should be so uncomfortable, but youmustn't mind it for once. "

"I don't mind it a bit, " said Johnny. 

"And I'm sure I don't, " said the earl. "Mr Eames is going to dinehere, Vickers. "

"Yes, my lord. "

"And his hat is down in the middle of the nineteen acres. Let threeor four men go for it. "

"Three or four men, my lord!"

"Yes, --three or four men. There's something gone wrong with thatbull. And you must get a boy with a pony to take a note intoGuestwick, to Mrs Eames. Oh dear, I'm better now, " and he put downthe tumbler from which he'd been drinking. "Write your note here, and then we'll go and see my pet pheasants before dinner. "

Vickers and the footman knew that something had happened ofmuch moment, for the earl was usually very particular about hisdinner-table. He expected every guest who sat there to be dressed insuch guise as the fashion of the day demanded; and he himself, thoughhis morning costume was by no means brilliant, never dined, even whenalone, without having put himself into a suit of black, with a whitecravat, and having exchanged the old silver hunting-watch which hecarried during the day tied round his neck by a bit of old ribbon, for a small gold watch, with a chain and seals, which in the eveningalways dangled over his waistcoat. Dr Gruffen had once been asked todinner at Guestwick Manor. "Just a bachelor's chop, " said the earl;"for there's nobody at home but myself. " Whereupon Dr Gruffen hadcome in coloured trousers, --and had never again been asked to dineat Guestwick Manor. All this Vickers knew well; and now his lordshiphad brought young Eames home to dine with him with his clothes allhanging about him in a manner which Vickers declared in the servants'hall wasn't more than half decent. Therefore, they all knew thatsomething very particular must have happened. "It's some troubleabout the bull, I know, " said Vickers;--"but bless you, the bullcouldn't have tore his things in that way!"

Eames wrote his note, in which he told his mother that he had had anadventure with Lord De Guest, and that his lordship had insisted onbringing him home to dinner. "I have torn my trousers all to pieces, "he added in a postscript, "and have lost my hat. Everything else isall right. " He was not aware that the earl also sent a short note toMrs Eames. 

 DEAR MADAM [ran the earl's note], --

 Your son has, under Providence, probably saved my life. I will leave the story for him to tell. He has been good enough to accompany me home, and will return to Guestwick after dinner with Dr Crofts, who dines here. I congratulate you on having a son with so much cool courage and good feeling. 

 Your very faithful servant, DE GUEST. 

 GUESTWICK MANOR, Thursday, October, 186--

And then they went to see the pheasants. "Now, I'll tell you what, "said the earl. "I advise you to take to shooting. It's the amusementof a gentleman when a man chances to have the command of game. "

"But I'm always up in London. "

"No, you're not. You're not up in London now. You always have yourholidays. If you choose to try it, I'll see that you have shootingenough while you're here. It's better than going to sleep under thetrees. Ha, ha, ha! I wonder what made you lay yourself down there. You hadn't been fighting a bull that day?"

"No, my lord. I hadn't seen the bull then. "

"Well; you think of what I've been saying. When I say a thing, I meanit. You shall have shooting enough, if you have a mind to try it. "Then they looked at the pheasants, and pottered about the place tillthe earl said it was time to dress for dinner. "That's hard upon you, isn't it?" said he. "But, at any rate, you can wash your hands, andget rid of the blood. I'll be down in the little drawing-room fiveminutes before seven, and I suppose I'll find you there. "

At five minutes before seven Lord De Guest came into the smalldrawing-room, and found Johnny seated there, with a book before him. The earl was a little fussy, and showed by his manner that he was notquite at his ease, as some men do when they have any piece of work onhand which is not customary to them. He held something in his hand, and shuffled a little as he made his way up the room. He was dressed, as usual, in black; but his gold chain was not, as usual, danglingover his waistcoat. 

"Eames, " he said, "I want you to accept a little present fromme, --just as a memorial of our affair with the bull. It will make youthink of it sometimes, when I'm perhaps gone. "

"Oh, my lord--"

"It's my own watch, that I have been wearing for some time; butI've got another, --two or three, I believe, somewhere upstairs. Youmustn't refuse me. I can't bear being refused. There are two or threelittle seals, too, which I have worn. I have taken off the one withmy arms, because that's of no use to you, and it is to me. It doesn'twant a key, but winds up at the handle, in this way, " and the earlproceeded to explain the nature of the toy. 

"My lord, you think too much of what happened to-day, " said Eames, stammering. 

"No, I don't; I think very little about it. I know what I think of. Put the watch in your pocket before the doctor comes. There; I hearhis horse. Why didn't he drive over, and then he could have taken youback?"

"I can walk very well. "

"I'll make that all right. The servant shall ride Crofts' horse, andbring back the little phaeton. How d'you do, doctor? You know Eames, I suppose? You needn't look at him in that way. His leg is notbroken; it's only his trousers. " And then the earl told the story ofthe bull. 

"Johnny will become quite a hero in town, " said Crofts. 

"Yes; I fear he'll get the most of the credit; and yet I was at ittwice as long as he was. I'll tell you what, young men, when I gotto that gate I didn't think I'd breath enough left in me to getover it. It's all very well jumping into a hedge when you're onlytwo-and-twenty; but when a man comes to be sixty he likes to take histime about such things. Dinner ready, is it? So am I. I quite forgotthat mutton chop of yours to-day, doctor. But I suppose a man may eata good dinner after a fight with a bull?"

The evening passed by without any very pleasurable excitement, and Iregret to say that the earl went fast to sleep in the drawing-room assoon as he had swallowed his cup of coffee. During dinner he had beenvery courteous to both his guests, but towards Eames he had used agood-humoured and, almost affectionate familiarity. He had quizzedhim for having been found asleep under the tree, telling Crofts thathe had looked very forlorn, --"So that I haven't a doubt about hisbeing in love, " said the earl. And he had asked Johnny to tell thename of the fair one, bringing up the remnants of his half-forgottenclassicalities to bear out the joke. "If I am to take more of thesevere Falernian, " said he, laying his hand on the decanter of port, "I must know the lady's name. Whoever she be, I'm well sure you neednot blush for her. What! you refuse to tell! Then I'll drink nomore. " And so the earl had walked out of the dining-room; but nottill he had perceived by his guest's cheeks that the joke had beentoo true to be pleasant. As he went, however, he leaned with his handon Eames's shoulder, and the servants looking on saw that the youngman was to be a favourite. "He'll make him his heir, " said Vickers. "I shouldn't wonder a bit if he don't make him his heir. " But to thisthe footman objected, endeavouring to prove to Mr Vickers that, inaccordance with the law of the land, his lordship's second cousin, once removed, whom the earl had never seen, but whom he was supposedto hate, must be his heir. "A hearl can never choose his own heir, like you or me, " said the footman, laying down the law. "Can't hethough really, now? That's very hard on him; isn't it?" said thepretty housemaid. "Psha, " said Vickers: "you know nothing about it. My lord could make young Eames his heir to-morrow; that is, the heirof his property. He couldn't make him a hearl, because that must goto the heirs of his body. As to his leaving him the place here, Idon't just know how that'd be; and I'm sure Richard don't. "

"But suppose he hasn't got any heirs of his body?" asked the prettyhousemaid, who was rather fond of putting down Mr Vickers. 

"He must have heirs of his body, " said the butler. "Everybody has'em. If a man don't know 'em himself, the law finds 'em out. " Andthen Mr Vickers walked away, avoiding further dispute. 

In the meantime, the earl was asleep upstairs, and the two young menfrom Guestwick did not find that they could amuse themselves with anysatisfaction. Each took up a book; but there are times at which aman is quite unable to read, and when a book is only a cover for hisidleness or dulness. At last, Dr Crofts suggested, in a whisper, thatthey might as well begin to think of going home. 

"Eh; yes; what?" said the earl, "I'm not asleep. " In answer towhich the doctor said that he thought he'd go home, if his lordshipwould let him order his horse. But the earl was again fast bound inslumber, and took no further notice of the proposition. 

"Perhaps we could get off without waking him, " suggested Eames, in awhisper. 

"Eh; what?" said the earl. So they both resumed their books, andsubmitted themselves to their martyrdom for a further period offifteen minutes. At the expiration of that time, the footman broughtin tea. 

"Eh, what? tea!" said the earl. "Yes, we'll have a little tea. I'veheard every word you've been saying. " It was that assertion on thepart of the earl which always made Lady Julia so angry. "You cannothave heard what I have been saying, Theodore, because I have saidnothing, " she would reply. "But I should have heard it if you had, "the earl would rejoin, snappishly. On the present occasion neitherCrofts nor Eames contradicted him, and he took his tea and swallowedit while still three parts asleep. 

"If you'll allow me, my lord, I think I'll order my horse, " said thedoctor. 

"Yes; horse--yes--" said the earl, nodding. 

"But what are you to do, Eames, if I ride?" said the doctor. 

"I'll walk, " whispered Eames, in his very lowest voice. 

"What--what--what?" said the earl, jumping up on his feet. "Oh, ah, yes; going away, are you? I suppose you might as well, as sit hereand see me sleeping. But, doctor--I didn't snore, did I?"

"Only occasionally. "

"Not loud, did I? Come, Eames, did I snore loud?"

"Well, my lord, you did snore rather loud two or three times. "

"Did I?" said the earl, in a voice of great disappointment. "And yet, do you know, I heard every word you said. "

The small phaeton had been already ordered, and the two young menstarted back to Guestwick together, a servant from the house ridingthe doctor's horse behind them. "Look here, Eames, " said the earl, asthey parted on the steps of the hall door. "You're going back to townthe day after to-morrow, you say, so I shan't see you again?"

"No, my lord", said Johnny. 

"Look you here, now. I shall be up for the Cattle-show beforeChristmas. You must dine with me at my hotel, on the twenty-secondof December, Pawkins's, in Jermyn Street; seven o'clock, sharp. Mindyou do not forget, now. Put it down in your pocket-book when you gethome. Good-bye, doctor; good-bye. I see I must stick to that muttonchop in the middle of the day. " And then they drove off. 

"He'll make him his heir for certain, " said Vickers to himself, ashe slowly returned to his own quarters. 

"You were returning from Allington, I suppose, " said Crofts, "whenyou came across Lord De Guest and the bull?"

"Yes: I just walked over to say good-bye to them. "

"Did you find them all well?"

"I only saw one. The other two were out"

"Mrs Dale, was it?"

"No; it was Lily. "

"Sitting alone, thinking of her fine London lover, of course? Isuppose we ought to look upon her as a very lucky girl. I have nodoubt she thinks herself so. "

"I'm sure I don't know, " said Johnny. 

"I believe he's a very good young man, " said the doctor; "but I can'tsay I quite liked his manner. "

"I should think not, " said Johnny. 

"But then in all probability he did not like mine a bit better, orperhaps yours either. And if so it's all fair. "

"I don't see that it's a bit fair. He's a snob, " said Eames; "and Idon't believe that I am. " He had taken a glass or two of the earl's"severe Falernian, " and was disposed to a more generous confidence, and perhaps also to stronger language, than might otherwise have beenthe case. 

"No; I don't think he is a snob, " said Crofts. "Had he been so, MrsDale would have perceived it. "

"You'll see, " said Johnny, touching up the earl's horse with energyas he spoke. "You'll see. A man who gives himself airs is a snob; andhe gives himself airs. And I don't believe he's a straight-forwardfellow. It was a bad day for us all when he came among them atAllington. "

"I can't say that I see that. "

"I do. But mind, I haven't spoken a word of this to any one. And Idon't mean. What would be the good? I suppose she must marry himnow?"

"Of course she must. "

"And be wretched all her life. Oh-h-h-h!" and he muttered a deepgroan. "I'll tell you what it is, Crofts. He is going to take thesweetest girl out of this country that ever was in it, and he don'tdeserve her. "

"I don't think she can be compared to her sister, " said Croftsslowly. 

"What; not Lily?" said Eames, as though the proposition made by thedoctor were one that could not hold water for a minute. 

"I have always thought that Bell was the more admired of the two, "said Crofts. 

"I'll tell you what, " said Eames. "I have never yet set my eyes onany human creature whom I thought so beautiful as Lily Dale. And nowthat beast is going to marry her! I'll tell you what, Crofts; I'llmanage to pick a quarrel with him yet. " Whereupon the doctor, seeingthe nature of the complaint from which his companion was suffering, said nothing more, either about Lily or about Bell. 

Soon after this Eames was at his own door, and was received there byhis mother and sister with all the enthusiasm due to a hero. "He hassaved the earl's life!" Mrs Eames had exclaimed to her daughter onreading Lord De Guest's note. "Oh, goodness!" and she threw herselfback upon the sofa almost in a fainting condition. 

"Saved Lord De Guest's life!" said Mary. 

"Yes--under Providence, " said Mrs Eames, as though that latter factadded much to her son's good deed. 

"But how did he do it?"

"By cool courage and good feeling;--so his lordship says. But Iwonder how he really did do it?"

"Whatever way it was, he's torn all his clothes and lost his hat, "said Mary. 

"I don't care a bit about that, " said Mrs Eames. "I wonder whetherthe earl has any interest at the Income-tax. What a thing it wouldbe if he could get Johnny a step. It would be seventy pounds a yearat once. He was quite right to stay and dine when his lordship askedhim. And so Dr Crofts is there. It couldn't have been anything in thedoctoring way, I suppose. "

"No, I should say not; because of what he says of his trousers. " Andso the two ladies were obliged to wait for John's return. 

"How did you do it, John?" said his mother, embracing him, as soon asthe door was opened. 

"How did you save the earl's life?" said Mary, who was standingbehind her mother. 

"Would his lordship really have been killed, if it had not been foryou?" asked Mrs Eames. 

"And was he very much hurt?" asked Mary. 

"Oh, bother, " said Johnny, on whom the results of the day's work, together with the earl's Falernian, had made some still remainingimpression. On ordinary occasions, Mrs Eames would have felt hurt atbeing so answered by her son; but at the present moment she regardedhim as standing so high in general favour that she took no offence. "Oh, Johnny, do tell us. Of course we must be very anxious to knowit all. "

"There's nothing to tell, except that a bull ran at the earl, as Iwas going by; so I went into the field and helped him, and then hemade me stay and dine with him. "

"But his lordship says that you saved his life, " said Mary. 

"Under Providence, " added their mother. 

"At any rate, he has given me a gold watch and chain, " said Johnny, drawing the present out of his pocket. "I wanted a watch badly. Allthe same, I didn't like taking it. "

"It would have been very wrong to refuse, " said his mother. "And Iam so glad you have been so fortunate. And look here, Johnny: whena friend like that comes in your way, don't turn your back on him. "Then, at last, he thawed beneath their kindness, and told them thewhole of the story. I fear that in recounting the earl's efforts withthe spud, he hardly spoke of his patron with all that deference whichwould have been appropriate. 

CHAPTER XXIII

Mr Plantagenet Palliser

A week passed over Mr Crosbie's head at Courcy Castle without muchinconvenience to him from the well-known fact of his matrimonialengagement. Both George de Courcy and John de Courcy had in theirdifferent ways charged him with his offence, and endeavoured to annoyhim by recurring to the subject; but he did not care much for thewit or malice of George or John de Courcy. The countess had hardlyalluded to Lily Dale after those few words which she said on thefirst day of his visit, and seemed perfectly willing to regard hisdoings at Allington as the occupation natural to a young man in sucha position. He had been seduced down to a dull country house, andhad, as a matter of course, taken to such amusements as the placeafforded. He had shot the partridges and made love to the young lady, taking those little recreations as compensation for the tedium of thesquire's society. Perhaps he had gone a little too far with the younglady; but then no one knew better than the countess how difficult itis for a young man to go far enough without going too far. It was nother business to make herself a censor on a young man's conduct. Theblame, no doubt, rested quite as much with Miss Dale as with him. Shewas quite sorry that any young lady should be disappointed; but ifgirls will be imprudent, and set their caps at men above their mark, they must encounter disappointment. With such language did Lady deCourcy speak of the affair among her daughters, and her daughtersaltogether agreed with her that it was out of the question that MrCrosbie should marry Lily Dale. From Alexandrina he encounteredduring the week none of that raillery which he had expected. Hehad promised to explain to her before he left the castle all thecircumstances of his acquaintance with Lily, and she at last showedherself determined to demand the fulfilment of this promise; but, previous to that, she said nothing to manifest either offence or alessened friendship. And I regret to say, that in the intercoursewhich had taken place between them, that friendship was by no meansless tender that it had been in London. 

"And when will you tell me what you promised?" she asked him oneafternoon, speaking in a low voice, as they were standing together atthe window of the billiard-room, in that idle half-hour which alwaysoccurs before the necessity for dinner preparation has come. She hadbeen riding and was still in her habit, and he had returned fromshooting. She knew that she looked more than ordinarily well in hertall straight hat and riding gear, and was wont to hang about thehouse, walking skilfully with her upheld drapery, during this periodof the day. It was dusk, but not dark, and there was no artificiallight in the billiard-room. There had been some pretence of knockingabout the balls, but it had been only pretence. "Even Diana, " she hadsaid, "could not have played billiards in a habit. " Then she had putdown her mace, and they had stood talking together in the recess of alarge bow-window. 

"And what did I promise?" said Crosbie. 

"You know well enough. Not that it is a matter of any specialinterest to me; only, as you undertook to promise, of course mycuriosity has been raised. "

"If it be of no special interest" said Crosbie, "you will not objectto absolve me from my promise. "

"That is just like you, " she said. "And how false you men always are. You made up your mind to buy my silence on a distasteful subject bypretending to offer me your future confidence; and now you tell methat you do not mean to confide in me. "

"You begin by telling me that the matter is one that does not in theleast interest you. "

"That is so false again! You know very well what I meant. Do youremember what you said to me the day you came? and am I not bound totell you after that, that your marriage with this or that young ladyis not matter of special interest to me? Still, as your friend--"

"Well, as my friend!"

"I shall be glad to know-- But I am not going to beg for yourconfidence; only I tell you this fairly, that no man is so mean in myeyes as a man who fights under false colours. "

"And am I fighting under false colours?"

"Yes, you are. " And now, as she spoke, the Lady Alexandrina blushedbeneath her hat; and dull as was the remaining light of the evening, Crosbie, looking into her face, saw her heightened colour. "Yes, youare. A gentleman is fighting under false colours who comes into ahouse like this, with a public rumour of his being engaged, and thenconducts himself as though nothing of the kind existed. Of course, it is not anything to me specially; but that is fighting under falsecolours. Now, sir, you may redeem the promise you made me when youfirst came here, --or you may let it alone. "

It must be acknowledged that the lady was fighting her battle withmuch courage, and also with some skill. In three or four days Crosbiewould be gone; and this victory, if it were ever to be gained, mustbe gained in those three or four days. And if there were to be novictory, then it would be only fair that Crosbie should be punishedfor his duplicity, and that she should be avenged as far as anyrevenge might be in her power. Not that she meditated any deeprevenge, or was prepared to feel any strong anger. She liked Crosbieas well as she had ever liked any man. She believed that he liked heralso. She had no conception of any very strong passion, but conceivedthat a married life was more pleasant than one of single bliss. Shehad no doubt that he had promised to make Lily Dale his wife, but sohad he previously promised her, or nearly so. It was a fair game, and she would win it if she could. If she failed, she would show heranger; but she would show it in a mild, weak manner, turning up hernose at Lily before Crosbie's face, and saying little things againsthimself behind his back. Her wrath would not carry her much beyondthat. 

"Now, sir, you may redeem the promise you made me when you first camehere, --or you may let it alone. " So she spoke, and then she turnedher face away from him, gazing out into the darkness. 

"Alexandrina!" he said. 

"Well, sir? But you have no right to speak to me in that style. Youknow that you have no right to call me by my name in that way!"

"You mean that you insist upon your title?"

"All ladies insist on what you call their title, from gentlemen, except under the privilege of greater intimacy than you have theright to claim. You did not call Miss Dale by her Christian name tillyou had obtained permission, I suppose?"

"You used to let me call you so. "

"Never! Once or twice, when you have done so, I have not forbiddenit, as I should have done. Very well, sir, as you have nothing totell me, I will leave you. I must confess that I did not think youwere such a coward. " And she prepared to go, gathering up the skirtsof her habit, and taking up the whip which she had laid on thewindow-sill. 

"Stay a moment, Alexandrina, " he said; "I am not happy, and youshould not say words intended to make me more miserable. "

"And why are you unhappy?"

"Because-- I will tell you instantly, if I may believe that I amtelling you only, and not the whole household. "

"Of course I shall not talk of it to others. Do you think that Icannot keep a secret?"

"It is because I have promised to marry one woman, and because I loveanother. I have told you everything now; and if you choose to sayagain that I am fighting under false colours I will leave the castlebefore you can see me again. "

"Mr Crosbie!"

"Now you know it all, and may imagine whether or no I am very happy. I think you said it was time to dress;--suppose we go?" And withoutfurther speech the two went off to their separate rooms. 

Crosbie, as soon as he was alone in his chamber, sat himself down inhis arm-chair, and went to work striving to make up his mind as tohis future conduct. It must not be supposed that the declaration justmade by him had been produced solely by his difficulty at the moment. The atmosphere of Courcy Castle had been at work upon him for thelast week past. And every word that he had heard, and every wordthat he had spoken, had tended to destroy all that was good and truewithin him, and to foster all that was selfish and false. He had saidto himself a dozen times during that week that he never could behappy with Lily Dale, and that he never could make her happy. Andthen he had used the old sophistry in his endeavour to teach himselfthat it was right to do that which he wished to do. Would it not bebetter for Lily that he should desert her, than marry her againstthe dictates of his own heart? And if he really did not love her, would he not be committing a greater crime in marrying her than indeserting her? He confessed to himself that he had been very wrong inallowing the outer world to get such a hold upon him that the love ofa pure girl like Lily could not suffice for his happiness. But therewas the fact, and he found himself unable to contend against it. Ifby any absolute self-sacrifice he could secure Lily's well-being, hewould not hesitate for a moment. But would it be well to sacrificeher as well as himself?

He had discussed the matter in this way within his own breast, tillhe had almost taught himself to believe that it was his duty to breakoff his engagement with Lily; and he had also almost taught himselfto believe that a marriage with a daughter of the house of Courcy, would satisfy his ambition and assist him in his battle with theworld. That Lady Alexandrina would accept him he felt certain, if hecould only induce her to forgive him for his sin in becoming engagedto Miss Dale. How very prone she would be to forgiveness in thismatter, he had not divined, having not as yet learned how easily sucha woman can forgive such a sin, if the ultimate triumph be accordedto herself. 

And there was another reason which operated much with Crosbie, urginghim on in his present mood and wishes, though it should have givenan exactly opposite impulse to his heart. He had hesitated as tomarrying Lily Dale at once, because of the smallness of his income. Now he had a prospect of considerable increase to that income. One of the commissioners at his office had been promoted to somegreater commissionership, and it was understood by everybody thatthe secretary at the General Committee Office would be the newcommissioner. As to that there was no doubt. But then the questionhad arisen as to the place of secretary. Crosbie had received two orthree letters on the subject, and it seemed that the likelihood ofhis obtaining this step in the world was by no means slight. It wouldincrease his official income from seven hundred a year to twelve, andwould place him altogether above the world. His friend, the presentsecretary, had written to him, assuring him that no other probablecompetitor was spoken of as being in the field against him. If suchgood fortune awaited him, would it not smooth any present difficultywhich lay in the way of his marriage with Lily Dale? But, alas, hehad not looked at the matter in that light! Might not the countesshelp him to this preferment? And if his destiny intended for himthe good things of this world, --secretaryships, commissionerships, chairmanships, and such like, would it not be well that he shouldstruggle on in his upward path by such assistance as good connectionsmight give him?

He sat thinking over it all in his own room on that evening. He hadwritten twice to Lily since his arrival at Courcy Castle. His firstletter has been given. His second was written much in the same tone;though Lily, as she had read it, had unconsciously felt somewhatless satisfied than she had been with the first. Expressions oflove were not wanting, but they were vague and without heartiness. They savoured of insincerity, though there was nothing in the wordsthemselves to convict them. Few liars can lie with the full roundnessand self-sufficiency of truth; and Crosbie, bad as he was, had notyet become bad enough to reach that perfection. He had said nothingto Lily of the hopes of promotion which had been opened to him; buthe had again spoken of his own worldliness, --acknowledging that hereceived an unsatisfying satisfaction from the pomps and vanities ofCourcy Castle. In fact he was paving the way for that which he hadalmost resolved that he would do, now he had told Lady Alexandrinathat he loved her; and he was obliged to confess to himself that thedie was cast. 

As he thought of all this, there was not wanting to him some of thesatisfaction of an escape. Soon after making that declaration of loveat Allington he had begun to feel that in making it he had cut histhroat. He had endeavoured to persuade himself that he could livecomfortably with his throat cut in that way; and as long as Lily waswith him he would believe that he could do so; but as soon as he wasagain alone he would again accuse himself of suicide. This was hisframe of mind even while he was yet at Allington, and his ideas onthe subject had become stronger during his sojourn at Courcy. But theself-immolation had not been completed, and he now began to thinkthat he could save himself. I need hardly say that this was not alltriumph to him. Even had there been no material difficulty as tohis desertion of Lily, --no uncle, cousin, and mother whose anger hemust face, --no vision of a pale face, more eloquent of wrong in itssilence than even uncle, cousin, and mother, with their indignantstorm of words, --he was not altogether heartless. How should he tellall this to the girl who had loved him so well; who had so loved him, that, as he himself felt, her love would fashion all her future lifeeither for weal or for woe? "I am unworthy of her, and will tellher so, " he said to himself. How many a false hound of a man hasendeavoured to salve his own conscience by such mock humility? Buthe acknowledged at this moment, as he rose from his seat to dresshimself, that the die was cast, and that it was open to him now tosay what he pleased to Lady Alexandrina. "Others have gone throughthe same fire before, " he said to himself, as he walked downstairs, "and have come out scatheless. " And then he recalled to himself thenames of various men of high repute in the world who were supposed tohave committed in their younger days some such little mistake as thatinto which he had been betrayed. 

In passing through the hall he overtook Lady Julia De Guest, andwas in time to open for her the door of the drawing-room. He thenremembered that she had come into the billiard-room at one side, andhad gone out at the other, while he was standing with Alexandrina atthe window. He had not, however, then thought much of Lady Julia; andas he now stood for her to pass by him through the doorway, he madeto her some indifferent remark. 

But Lady Julia was on some subjects a stern woman, and not withouta certain amount of courage. In the last week she had seen what hadbeen going on, and had become more and more angry. Though she haddisowned any family connection with Lily Dale, nevertheless she nowfelt for her sympathy and almost affection. Nearly every day she hadrepeated stiffly to the countess some incident of Crosbie's courtshipand engagement to Miss Dale, --speaking of it as with absoluteknowledge, as a thing settled at all points. This she had done to thecountess alone, in the presence of the countess and Alexandrina, andalso before all the female guests of the castle. But what she hadsaid was received simply with an incredulous smile. "Dear me! LadyJulia, " the countess had replied at last, "I shall begin to thinkyou are in love with Mr Crosbie yourself; you harp so constantly onthis affair of his. One would think that young ladies in your partof the world must find it very difficult to get husbands, seeingthat the success of one young lady is trumpeted so loudly. " For themoment, Lady Julia was silenced; but it was not easy to silence heraltogether when she had a subject for speech near her heart. 

Almost all the Courcy world were assembled in the drawing-room asshe now walked into the room with Crosbie at her heels. When shefound herself near the crowd she turned round, and addressed him ina voice more audible than that generally required for purposes ofdrawing-room conversation. "Mr Crosbie, " she said, "have you heardlately from our dear friend, Lily Dale?" And she looked him full inthe face, in a manner more significant, probably, than even she hadintended it to be. There was, at once, a general hush in the room, and all eyes were turned upon her and upon him. 

Crosbie instantly made an effort to bear the attack gallantly, but hefelt that he could not quite command his colour, or prevent a suddendrop of perspiration from showing itself upon his brow. "I had aletter from Allington yesterday, " he said. "I suppose you have heardof your brother's encounter with the bull?"

"The bull!" said Lady Julia. And it was instantly manifest to allthat her attack had been foiled and her flank turned. 

"Good gracious! Lady Julia, how very odd you are!" said the countess. 

"But what about the bull?" asked the Honourable George. 

"It seems that the earl was knocked down in the middle of one of hisown fields. "

"Oh, dear!" exclaimed Alexandrina. And sundry other exclamations weremade by all the assembled ladies. 

"But he wasn't hurt, " said Crosbie. "A young man named Eames seems tohave fallen from the sky and carried off the earl on his back. "

"Ha, ha, ha, ha!" growled the other earl, as he heard of thediscomfiture of his brother peer. 

Lady Julia, who had received her own letters that day from Guestwick, knew that nothing of importance had happened to her brother; but shefelt that she was foiled for that time. 

"I hope that there has not really been any accident, " said MrGazebee, with a voice of great solicitude. 

"My brother was quite well last night, thank you, " said she. And thenthe little groups again formed themselves, and Lady Julia was leftalone on the corner of a sofa. 

"Was that all an invention of yours, sir?" said Alexandrina toCrosbie. 

"Not quite. I did get a letter this morning from my friend BernardDale, --that old harridan's nephew; and Lord De Guest has been worriedby some of his animals. I wish I had told her that his stupid oldneck had been broken. "

"Fie, Mr Crosbie!"

"What business has she to interfere with me?"

"But I mean to ask the same question that she asked, and you won'tput me off with a cock-and-bull story like that. " But then, as shewas going to ask the question, dinner was announced. 

"And is it true that De Guest has been tossed by a bull?" said theearl, as soon as the ladies were gone. He had spoken nothing duringdinner except what words he had muttered into the ear of LadyDumbello. It was seldom that conversation had many charms for him inhis own house; but there was a savour of pleasantry in the idea ofLord De Guest having been tossed, by which even he was tickled. 

"Only knocked down, I believe, " said Crosbie. 

"Ha, ha, ha!" growled the earl; then he filled his glass, and allowedsome one else to pass the bottle. Poor man! There was not much leftto him now in the world which did amuse him. 

"I don't see anything to laugh at, " said Plantagenet Palliser, whowas sitting at the earl's right hand, opposite to Lord Dumbello. 

"Don't you?" said the earl. "Ha, ha, ha!"

"I'll be shot if I do. From all I hear De Guest is an uncommon goodfarmer. And I don't see the joke of tossing a farmer merely becausehe's a nobleman also. Do you?" and he turned round to Mr Gazebee, whowas sitting on the other side. The earl was an earl, and was also MrGazebee's father-in-law. Mr Plantagenet Palliser was the heir to adukedom. Therefore, Mr Gazebee merely simpered, and did not answerthe question put to him. Mr Palliser said nothing more about it, nordid the earl; and then the joke died away. 

Mr Plantagenet Palliser was the Duke of Omnium's heir, --heir tothat nobleman's title and to his enormous wealth; and, therefore, was a man of mark in the world. He sat in the House of Commons, ofcourse. He was about five-and-twenty years of age, and was, as yet, unmarried. He did not hunt or shoot or keep a yacht, and had beenheard to say that he had never put a foot upon a race-course in hislife. He dressed very quietly, never changing the colour or form ofhis garments; and in society was quiet, reserved, and very oftensilent. He was tall, slight, and not ill-looking; but more than thiscannot be said for his personal appearance--except, indeed, this, that no one could mistake him for other than a gentleman. With hisuncle, the duke, he was on good terms;--that is to say, they hadnever quarrelled. A very liberal allowance had been made to thenephew; but the two relatives had no tastes in common, and did notoften meet. Once a year Mr Palliser visited the duke at his greatcountry seat for two or three days, and usually dined with him twoor three times during the season in London. Mr Palliser sat for aborough which was absolutely under the duke's command; but hadaccepted his seat under the distinct understanding that he was totake whatever part in politics might seem good to himself. Underthese well-understood arrangements, the duke and his heir showed tothe world quite a pattern of a happy family. "So different to theearl and Lord Porlock!" the people of West Barsetshire used to say. For the estates, both of the duke and of the earl, were situated inthe western division of that county. 

Mr Palliser was chiefly known to the world as a rising politician. We may say that he had everything at his command, in the way ofpleasure, that the world could offer him. He had wealth, position, power, and the certainty of attaining the highest rank among, perhaps, the most brilliant nobility of the world. He was courted byall who could get near enough to court him. It is hardly too muchto say that he might have selected a bride from all that was mostbeautiful and best among English women. If he would have boughtrace-horses, and have expended thousands on the turf, he wouldhave gratified his uncle by doing so. He might have been themaster of hounds, or the slaughterer of hecatombs of birds. Butto none of these things would he devote himself. He had chosen tobe a politician, and in that pursuit he laboured with a zeal andperseverance which would have made his fortune at any professionor in any trade. He was constant in committee-rooms up to the verymiddle of August. He was rarely absent from any debate of importance, and never from any important division. Though he seldom spoke, he wasalways ready to speak if his purpose required it. No man gave himcredit for any great genius--few even considered that he could becomeeither an orator or a mighty statesman. But the world said that hewas a rising man, and old Nestor of the Cabinet looked on him as onewho would be able, at some far future day, to come among them as ayounger brother. Hitherto he had declined such inferior offices ashad been offered to him, biding his time carefully; and he was as yettied hand and neck to no party, though known to be liberal in allhis political tendencies. He was a great reader--not taking up abook here, and another there, as chance brought books before him, but working through an enormous course of books, getting up thegreat subject of the world's history, --filling himself full offacts, --though perhaps not destined to acquire the power of usingthose facts otherwise than as precedents. He strove also diligentlyto become a linguist--not without success, as far as a competentunderstanding of various languages. He was a thin-minded, plodding, respectable man, willing to devote all his youth to work, in orderthat in old age he might be allowed to sit among the Councillors ofthe State. 

Hitherto his name had not been coupled by the world with that of anywoman whom he had been supposed to admire; but latterly it had beenobserved that he had often been seen in the same room with LadyDumbello. It had hardly amounted to more than this; but when it wasremembered how undemonstrative were the two persons concerned, --howlittle disposed was either of them to any strong display offeeling, --even this was thought matter to be mentioned. He certainlywould speak to her from time to time almost with an air of interest;and Lady Dumbello, when she saw that he was in the room, would beobserved to raise her head with some little show of life, and tolook round as though there were something there on which it might beworth her while to allow her eyes to rest. When such innuendoes wereabroad, no one would probably make more of them than Lady de Courcy. Many, when they heard that Mr Palliser was to be at the castle, hadexpressed their surprise at her success in that quarter. Others, whenthey learned that Lady Dumbello had consented to become her guest, had also wondered greatly. But when it was ascertained that the twowere to be there together, her good-natured friends had acknowledgedthat she was a very clever woman. To have either Mr Palliser or LadyDumbello would have been a feather in her cap; but to succeed ingetting both, by enabling each to know that the other would be there, was indeed a triumph. As regards Lady Dumbello, however, the bargainwas not fairly carried out; for, after all, Mr Palliser came toCourcy Castle only for two nights and a day, and during the whole ofthat day he was closeted with sundry large blue-books. As for Ladyde Courcy, she did not care how he might be employed. Blue-booksand Lady Dumbello were all the same to her. Mr Palliser had been atCourcy Castle, and neither enemy nor friend could deny the fact. 

This was his second evening; and as he had promised to meet hisconstituents at Silverbridge at one P. M. On the following day, withthe view of explaining to them his own conduct and the politicalposition of the world in general; and as he was not to return fromSilverbridge to Courcy, Lady Dumbello, if she made any way at all, must take advantage of the short gleam of sunshine which the presenthour afforded her. No one, however, could say that she showed anyactive disposition to monopolise Mr Palliser's attention. When hesauntered into the drawing-room she was sitting, alone, in a large, low chair, made without arms, so as to admit the full expansion ofher dress, but hollowed and round at the back, so as to afford herthe support that was necessary to her. She had barely spoken threewords since she had left the dining-room, but the time had not passedheavily with her. Lady Julia had again attacked the countess aboutLily Dale and Mr Crosbie, and Alexandrina, driven almost to rage, had stalked off to the farther end of the room, not concealing herspecial concern in the matter. 

"How I do wish they were married and done with, " said the countess;"and then we should hear no more about them. "

All of which Lady Dumbello heard and understood; and in all of it shetook a certain interest. She remembered such things, learning therebywho was who, and regulating her own conduct by what she learned. Shewas by no means idle at this or at other such times, going through, we may say, a considerable amount of really hard work in her mannerof working. There she had sat speechless, unless when acknowledgingby a low word of assent some expression of flattery from those aroundher. Then the door opened, and when Mr Palliser entered she raisedher head, and the faintest possible gleam of satisfaction might havebeen discerned upon her features. But she made no attempt to speakto him; and when, as he stood at the table, he took up a book andremained thus standing for a quarter of an hour, she neither showednor felt any impatience. After that Lord Dumbello came in, and hestood at the table without a book. Even then Lady Dumbello felt noimpatience. 

Plantagenet Palliser skimmed through his little book, and probablylearned something. When he put it down he sipped a cup of tea, andremarked to Lady de Courcy that he believed it was only twelve milesto Silverbridge. 

"I wish it was a hundred and twelve, " said the countess. 

"In that case I should be forced to start to-night, " said MrPalliser. 

"Then I wish it was a thousand and twelve, " said Lady de Courcy. 

"In that case I should not have come at all, " said Mr Palliser. Hedid not mean to be uncivil, and had only stated a fact. 

"The young men are becoming absolute bears, " said the countess to herdaughter Margaretta. 

He had been in the room nearly an hour when he did at last findhimself standing close to Lady Dumbello: close to her, and withoutany other very near neighbour. 

"I should hardly have expected to find you here, " he said. 

"Nor I you, " she answered. 

"Though, for the matter of that, we are both near our own homes. "

"I am not near mine. "

"I meant Plumstead; your father's place. "

"Yes; that was my home once. "

"I wish I could show you my uncle's place. The castle is very fine, and he has some good pictures. "

"So I have heard. "

"Do you stay here long?"

"Oh, no. I go to Cheshire the day after to-morrow. Lord Dumbello isalways there when the hunting begins. "

"Ah, yes; of course. What a happy fellow he is; never any work to do!His constituents never trouble him, I suppose?"

"I don't think they ever do, much. "

After that Mr Palliser sauntered away again, and Lady Dumbello passedthe rest of the evening in silence. It is to be hoped that they bothwere rewarded by that ten minutes of sympathetic intercourse for theinconvenience which they had suffered in coming to Courcy Castle. 

But that which seems so innocent to us had been looked on in adifferent light by the stern moralists of that house. 

"By Jove!" said the Honourable George to his cousin, Mr Gresham, "Iwonder how Dumbello likes it. "

"It seems to me that Dumbello takes it very easily. "

"There are some men who will take anything easily, " said George, who, since his own marriage, had learned to have a holy horror of suchwicked things. 

"She's beginning to come out a little, " said Lady Clandidlem to Ladyde Courcy, when the two old women found themselves together over afire in some back sitting-room. "Still waters always run deep, youknow. "

"I shouldn't at all wonder if she were to go off with him, " said Ladyde Courcy. 

"He'll never be such a fool as that, " said Lady Clandidlem. 

"I believe men will be fools enough for anything, " said Lady deCourcy. "But, of course, if he did, it would come to nothingafterwards. I know one who would not be sorry. If ever a man wastired of a woman, Lord Dumbello is tired of her. "

But in this, as in almost everything else, the wicked old woman spokescandal. Lord Dumbello was still proud of his wife, and as fond ofher as a man can be of a woman whose fondness depends upon merepride. 

There had not been much that was dangerous in the conversationbetween Mr Palliser and Lady Dumbello, but I cannot say the same asto that which was going on at the same moment between Crosbie andLady Alexandrina. She, as I have said, walked away in almost opendudgeon when Lady Julia recommenced her attack about poor Lily, nordid she return to the general circle during the evening. There weretwo large drawing-rooms at Courcy Castle, joined together by a narrowlink of a room, which might have been called a passage, had it notbeen lighted by two windows coming down to the floor, carpeted aswere the drawing-rooms, and warmed with a separate fireplace. Hithershe betook herself, and was soon followed by her married sisterAmelia. 

"That woman almost drives me mad, " said Alexandrina, as they stoodtogether with their toes upon the fender. 

"But, my dear, you of all people should not allow yourself to bedriven mad on such a subject. "

"That's all very well, Amelia. "

"The question is this, my dear, --what does Mr Crosbie mean to do?"

"How should I know?"

"If you don't know, it will be safer to suppose that he is going tomarry this girl; and in that case--"

"Well, what in that case? Are you going to be another Lady Julia?What do I care about the girl?"

"I don't suppose you care much about the girl; and if you care aslittle about Mr Crosbie, there's an end of it; only in that case, Alexandrina--"

"Well, what in that case?"

"You know I don't want to preach to you. Can't you tell me atonce whether you really like him? You and I have always been goodfriends. " And the married sister put her arm affectionately roundthe waist of her who wished to be married. 

"I like him well enough. "

"And has he made any declaration to you?"

"In a sort of a way he has. Hark, here he is!" And Crosbie, coming infrom the larger room, joined the sisters at the fireplace. 

"We were driven away by the clack of Lady Julia's tongue, " said theelder. 

"I never met such a woman, " said Crosbie. 

"There cannot well be many like her, " said Alexandrina. And afterthat they all stood silent for a minute or two. Lady Amelia Gazebeewas considering whether or no she would do well to go and leave thetwo together. If it were intended that Mr Crosbie should marry hersister, it would certainly be well to give him an opportunity ofexpressing such a wish on his own part. But if Alexandrina was simplymaking a fool of herself, then it would be well for her to stay. "Isuppose she would rather I should go, " said the elder sister toherself; and then, obeying the rule which should guide all ouractions from one to another, she went back and joined the crowd. 

"Will you come on into the other room?" said Crosbie. 

"I think we are very well here, " Alexandrina replied. 

"But I wish to speak to you, --particularly, " said he. 

"And cannot you speak here?"

"No. They will be passing backwards and forwards. " Lady Alexandrinasaid nothing further, but led the way into the other large room. Thatalso was lighted, and there were in it four or live persons. LadyRosina was reading a work on the Millennium, with a light to herselfin one corner. Her brother John was asleep in an arm-chair, and ayoung gentleman and lady were playing chess. There was, however, ample room for Crosbie and Alexandrina to take up a position apart. 

"And now, Mr Crosbie, what have you got to say to me? But, first, Imean to repeat Lady Julia's question, as I told you that I shoulddo. --When did you hear last from Miss Dale?"

"It is cruel in you to ask me such a question, after what I havealready told you. You know that I have given to Miss Dale a promiseof marriage. "

"Very well, sir. I don't see why you should bring me in here to tellme anything that is so publicly known as that. With such a herald asLady Julia it was quite unnecessary. "

"If you can only answer me in that tone I will make an end of it atonce. When I told you of my engagement, I told you also that anotherwoman possessed my heart. Am I wrong to suppose that you knew to whomI alluded?"

"Indeed, I did not, Mr Crosbie. I am no conjuror, and I have notscrutinised you so closely as your friend Lady Julia. "

"It is you that I love. I am sure I need hardly say so now. "

"Hardly, indeed, --considering that you are engaged to Miss Dale. "

"As to that I have, of course, to own that I have behavedfoolishly;--worse than foolishly, if you choose to say so. You cannotcondemn me more absolutely than I condemn myself. But I have madeup my mind as to one thing. I will not marry where I do not love. "Oh, if Lily could have heard him as he then spoke! "It would beimpossible for me to speak in terms too high of Miss Dale; but I amquite sure that I could not make her happy as her husband. "

"Why did you not think of that before you asked her?" saidAlexandrina. But there was very little of condemnation in her tone. 

"I ought to have done so; but it is hardly for you to blame me withseverity. Had you, when we were last together in London--had you beenless--"

"Less what?"

"Less defiant, " said Crosbie, "all this might perhaps have beenavoided. "

Lady Alexandrina could not remember that she had been defiant; but, however, she let that pass. "Oh, yes; of course it was my fault. "

"I went down there to Allington with my heart ill at ease, and now Ihave fallen into this trouble. I tell you all as it has happened. Itis impossible that I should marry Miss Dale. It would be wicked in meto do so, seeing that my heart belongs altogether to another. I havetold you who is that other; and now may I hope for an answer?"

"An answer to what?"

"Alexandrina, will you be my wife?"

If it had been her object to bring him to a point-blank declarationand proposition of marriage, she had certainly achieved her objectnow. And she had that trust in her own power of management and in hermother's, that she did not fear that in accepting him she would incurthe risk of being served as he was serving Lily Dale. She knew herown position and his too well for that. If she accepted him she wouldin due course of time become his wife, --let Miss Dale and all herfriends say what they might to the contrary. As to that head she hadno fear. But nevertheless she did not accept him at once. Though shewished for the prize, her woman's nature hindered her from taking itwhen it was offered to her. 

"How long is it, Mr Crosbie, " she said, "since you put the samequestion to Miss Dale?"

"I have told you everything, Alexandrina, --as I promised that I woulddo. If you intend to punish me for doing so--"

"And I might ask another question. How long will it be before you putthe same question to some other girl?"

He turned round as though to walk away from her in anger; but when hehad gone half the distance to the door he returned. 

"By heaven!" he said, and he spoke somewhat roughly, too, "I'll havean answer. You at any rate have nothing with which to reproach me. All that I have done wrong, I have done through you, or on yourbehalf. You have heard my proposal. Do you intend to accept it?"

"I declare you startle me. If you demanded my money or my life, youcould not be more imperious. "

"Certainly not more resolute in my determination. "

"And if I decline the honour?"

"I shall think you the most fickle of your sex. "

"And if I were to accept it?"

"I would swear that you were the best, the dearest, and the sweetestof women. "

"I would rather have your good opinion than your bad, certainly, "said Lady Alexandrina. And then it was understood by both of themthat that affair was settled. Whenever she was called on in future tospeak of Lily, she always called her, "that poor Miss Dale;" but shenever again spoke a word of reproach to her future lord about thatlittle adventure. "I shall tell mamma, to-night, " she said to him, asshe bade him good-night in some sequestered nook to which they hadbetaken themselves. Lady Julia's eye was again on them as they cameout from the sequestered nook, but Alexandrina no longer cared forLady Julia. 

"George, I cannot quite understand about that Mr Palliser. Isn'the to be a duke, and oughtn't he to be a lord now?" This questionwas asked by Mrs George de Courcy of her husband, when they foundthemselves together in the seclusion of the nuptial chamber. 

"Yes; he'll be Duke of Omnium when the old fellow dies. I think he'sone of the slowest fellows I ever came across. He'll take deuced goodcare of the property, though. "

"But, George, do explain it to me. It is so stupid not to understand, and I am afraid of opening my mouth for fear of blundering. "

"Then keep your mouth shut, my dear. You'll learn all those sort ofthings in time, and nobody notices it if you don't say anything. "

"Yes, but, George;--I don't like to sit silent all the night. I'dsooner be up here with a novel if I can't speak about anything. "

"Look at Lady Dumbello. She doesn't want to be always talking. "

"Lady Dumbello is very different from me. But do tell me, who is MrPalliser?"

"He's the duke's nephew. If he were the duke's son, he would be theMarquis of Silverbridge. "

"And will he be plain Mister till his uncle dies?"

"Yes, a very plain Mister. "

"What a pity for him. But, George, --if I have a baby, and if heshould be a boy, and if--"

"Oh, nonsense; it will be time enough to talk of that when he comes. I'm going to sleep. "

CHAPTER XXIV

A Mother-in-Law and a Father-in-Law

On the following morning Mr Plantagenet Palliser was off upon hispolitical mission before breakfast;--either that, or else someprivate comfort was afforded to him in guise of solitary rolls andcoffee. The public breakfast at Courcy Castle was going on at eleveno'clock, and at that hour Mr Palliser was already closeted with theMayor of Silverbridge. 

"I must get off by the 3. 45 train, " said Mr Palliser. "Who is thereto speak after me?"

"Well, I shall say a few words; and Growdy, --he'll expect them tolisten to him. Growdy has always stood very firm by his grace, MrPalliser. "

"Mind we are in the room sharp at one. And you can have a fly, for meto get away to the station, ready in the yard. I won't go a momentbefore I can help. I shall be just an hour and a half myself. No, thank you, I never take any wine in the morning. " And I may herestate that Mr Palliser did get away by the 3. 45 train, leavingMr Growdy still talking on the platform. Constituents must betreated with respect; but time has become so scarce nowadays thatthat respect has to be meted out by the quarter of an hour withparsimonious care. 

In the meantime there was more leisure at Courcy Caste. Neither thecountess nor Lady Alexandrina came down to breakfast, but theirabsence gave rise to no special remark. Breakfast at the castle wasa morning meal at which people showed themselves, or did not showthemselves, as it pleased them. Lady Julia was there looking veryglum, and Crosbie was sitting next to his future sister-in-lawMargaretta, who already had placed herself on terms of closeaffection with him. As he finished his tea she whispered into hisear, "Mr Crosbie, if you could spare half an hour, mamma would solike to see you in her own room. " Crosbie declared that he would bedelighted to wait upon her, and did in truth feel some gratitude inbeing welcomed as a son-in-law into the house. And yet he felt alsothat he was being caught, and that in ascending into the privatedomains of the countess he would be setting the seal upon his owncaptivity. 

Nevertheless, he went with a smiling face and a light step, LadyMargaretta ushering him the way. "Mamma, " said she, "I have broughtMr Crosbie up to you. I did not know that you were here, Alexandrina, or I should have warned him. "

The countess and her youngest daughter had been breakfasting togetherin the elder lady's sitting-room, and were now seated in a verygraceful and well-arranged deshabille. The tea-cups out of which theyhad been drinking were made of some elegant porcelain, the teapot andcream-jug were of chased silver and as delicate in their sway. Theremnant of food consisted of morsels of French roll which had noteven been allowed to crumble themselves in a disorderly fashion, and of infinitesimal pats of butter. If the morning meal of the twoladies had been as unsubstantial as the appearance of the fragmentsindicated, it must be presumed that they intended to lunch early. The countess herself was arrayed in an elaborate morning wrapper offigured silk, but the simple Alexandrina wore a plain white muslinpeignoir, fastened with pink ribbon. Her hair, which she usuallycarried in long rolls, now hung loose over her shoulders, andcertainly added something to her stock of female charms. The countessgot up as Crosbie entered and greeted him with an open hand; butAlexandrina kept her seat, and merely nodded at him a little welcome. "I must run down again, " said Margaretta, "or I shall have leftAmelia with all the cares of the house upon her. "

"Alexandrina has told me all about it, " said the countess, with hersweetest smile, "and I have given her my approval. I really do thinkyou will suit each other very well. "

"I am very much obliged to you, " said Crosbie. "I'm sure at any rateof this, --that she will suit me very well. "

"Yes; I think she will. She is a good sensible girl. "

"Psha, mamma; pray don't go on in that Goody Twoshoes sort of way. "

"So you are, my dear. If you were not it would not be well for you todo as you are going to do. If you were giddy and harum-scarum, anddevoted to rank and wealth and that sort of thing, it would not bewell for you to marry a commoner without fortune. I'm sure Mr Crosbiewill excuse me for saying so much as that. "

"Of course I know, " said Crosbie, "that I had no right to look sohigh. "

"Well; we'll say nothing more about it, " said the countess. 

"Pray don't, " said Alexandrina. "It sounds so like a sermon. "

"Sit down, Mr Crosbie, " said the countess, "and let us have a littleconversation. She shall sit by you, if you like it. Nonsense, Alexandrina, --if he asks it!"

"Don't, mamma;--I mean to remain where I am. "

"Very well, my dear;--then remain where you are. She is a wilfulgirl, Mr Crosbie; as you will say when you hear that she has toldme all that you told her last night. " Upon hearing this, he changedcolour a little, but said nothing. "She has told me, " continued thecountess, "about that young lady at Allington. Upon my word, I'mafraid you have been very naughty. "

"I have been foolish, Lady de Courcy. "

"Of course; I did not mean anything worse than that. Yes, you havebeen foolish;--amusing yourself in a thoughtless way, you know, and, perhaps, a little piqued because a certain lady was not to be won soeasily as your Royal Highness wished. Well, now, all that must besettled, you know, as quickly as possible. I don't want to ask anyindiscreet questions; but if the young lady has really been leftwith any idea that you meant anything, don't you think you shouldundeceive her at once?"

"Of course he will, mamma. "

"Of course you will; and it will be a great comfort to Alexandrina toknow that the matter is arranged. You hear what Lady Julia is sayingalmost every hour of her life. Now, of course, Alexandrina does notcare what an old maid like Lady Julia may say; but it will be betterfor all parties that the rumour should be put a stop to. If the earlwere to hear it, he might, you know--" And the countess shook herhead, thinking that she could thus best indicate what the earl mightdo, if he were to take it into his head to do anything. 

Crosbie could not bring himself to hold any very confidentialintercourse with the countess about Lily; but he gave a mutteredassurance that he should, as a matter of course, make known the truthto Miss Dale with as little delay as possible. He could not sayexactly when he would write, nor whether he would write to her or toher mother; but the thing should be done immediately on his return totown. 

"If it will make the matter easier, I will write to Mrs Dale, " saidthe countess. But to this scheme Mr Crosbie objected very strongly. 

And then a few words were said about the earl. "I will tell him thisafternoon, " said the countess; "and then you can see him to-morrowmorning. I don't suppose he will say very much, you know; andperhaps he may think, --you won't mind my saying it, I'm sure, --thatAlexandrina might have done better. But I don't believe thathe'll raise any strong objection. There will be something aboutsettlements, and that sort of thing, of course. " Then the countesswent away, and Alexandrina was left with her lover for half an hour. When the half-hour was over, he felt that he would have given allthat he had in the world to have back the last four-and-twenty hoursof his existence. But he had no hope. To jilt Lily Dale would, nodoubt, be within his power, but he knew that he could not jilt LadyAlexandrina de Courcy. 

On the next morning at twelve o'clock he had his interview with thefather, and a very unpleasant interview it was. He was ushered intothe earl's room, and found the great peer standing on the rug, withhis back to the fire, and his hands in his breeches pockets. 

"So you mean to marry my daughter?" said he. "I'm not very well, asyou see; I seldom am. "

These last words were spoken in answer to Crosbie's greeting. Crosbiehad held out his hand to the earl, and had carried his point so farthat the earl had been forced to take one of his own out of hispocket, and give it to his proposed son-in-law. 

"If your lordship has no objection. I have, at any rate, herpermission to ask for yours. "

"I believe you have not any fortune, have you? She's got none; ofcourse you know that?"

"I have a few thousand pounds, and I believe she has as much. "

"About as much as will buy bread to keep the two of you fromstarving. It's nothing to me. You can marry her if you like; only, look here, I'll have no nonsense. I've had an old woman in with methis morning, --one of those that are here in the house, --telling mesome story about some other girl that you have made a fool of. It'snothing to me how much of that sort of thing you may have done, sothat you do none of it here. But, --if you play any prank of that kindwith me, you'll find that you've made a mistake. "

Crosbie hardly made any answer to this, but got himself out of theroom as quickly as he could. 

"You'd better talk to Gazebee about the trifle of money you've got, "said the earl. Then he dismissed the subject from his mind, and nodoubt imagined that he had fully done his duty by his daughter. 

On the day after this, Crosbie was to go. On the last afternoon, shortly before dinner, he was waylaid by Lady Julia, who had passedthe day in preparing traps to catch him. 

"Mr Crosbie, " she said, "let me have one word with you. Is thistrue?"

"Lady Julia, " he said, "I really do not know why you should inquireinto my private affairs. "

"Yes, sir, you do know; you know very well. That poor young lady whohas no father and no brother, is my neighbour, and her friends are myfriends. She is a friend of my own, and being an old woman, I have aright to speak for her. If this is true, Mr Crosbie, you are treatingher like a villain. "

"Lady Julia, I really must decline to discuss the matter with you. "

"I'll tell everybody what a villain you are; I will, indeed--avillain and a poor weak silly fool. She was too good for you; that'swhat she was. " Crosbie, as Lady Julia was addressing to him the lastwords, hurried upstairs away from her, but her ladyship, standing ona landing-place, spoke up loudly, so that no word should be lost onher retreating enemy. 

"We positively must get rid of that woman, " the countess, who heardit all, said to Margaretta. "She is disturbing the house anddisgracing herself every day. "

"She went to papa this morning, mamma. "

"She did not get much by that move, " said the countess. 

On the following morning Crosbie returned to town, but just before heleft the castle he received a third letter from Lily Dale. "I havebeen rather disappointed at not hearing this morning, " said Lily, "for I thought the postman would have brought me a letter. But I knowyou'll be a better boy when you get back to London, and I won't scoldyou. Scold you, indeed! No; I'll never scold you, not though Ishouldn't hear for a month. "

He would have given all that he had in the world, three times told, if he could have blotted out that visit to Courcy Castle from thepast facts of his existence. 

CHAPTER XXV

Adolphus Crosbie Spends an Evening at His Club

Crosbie, as he was being driven from the castle to the neareststation, in a dog-cart hired from the hotel, could not keep himselffrom thinking of that other morning, not yet a fortnight past, onwhich he had left Allington; and as he thought of it he knew thathe was a villain. On this morning Alexandrina had not come out fromthe house to watch his departure, and catch the last glance of hisreceding figure. As he had not started very early she had sat withhim at the breakfast-table; but others also had sat there, and whenhe got up to go, she did no more than smile softly and give him herhand. It had been already settled that he was to spend his Christmasat Courcy; as it had been also settled that he was to spend it atAllington. 

Lady Amelia was, of all the family, the most affectionate to him, andperhaps of them all she was the one whose affection was worth themost. She was not a woman endowed with a very high mind or with verynoble feelings. She had begun life trusting to the nobility of herblood for everything, and declaring somewhat loudly among her friendsthat her father's rank and her mother's birth imposed on her the dutyof standing closely by her own order. Nevertheless, at the age ofthirty-three she had married her father's man of business, undercircumstances which were not altogether creditable to her. But shehad done her duty in her new sphere of life with some constancy and afixed purpose; and now that her sister was going to marry, as she haddone, a man much below herself in social standing, she was preparedto do her duty as a sister and a sister-in-law. 

"We shall be up in town in November, and of course you'll come tous at once. Albert Villa, you know, in Hamilton Terrace, St. John'sWood. We dine at seven, and on Sundays at two; and you'll always finda place. Mind you come to us, and make yourself quite at home. I doso hope you and Mortimer will get on well together. "

"I'm sure we shall, " said Crosbie. But he had had higher hopes inmarrying into this noble family than that of becoming intimate withMortimer Gazebee. What those hopes were he could hardly define tohimself now that he had brought himself so near to the fruition ofthem. Lady de Courcy had certainly promised to write to her firstcousin who was Under-Secretary of State for India, with reference tothat secretaryship at the General Committee Office; but Crosbie, whenhe came to weigh in his mind what good might result to him from this, was disposed to think that his chance of obtaining the promotionwould be quite as good without the interest of the Under-Secretary ofState for India as with it. Now that he belonged, as we may say, tothis noble family, he could hardly discern what were the advantageswhich he had expected from this alliance. He had said to himself thatit would be much to have a countess for a mother-in-law; but now, even already, although the possession to which he had looked was notyet garnered, he was beginning to tell himself that the thing was notworth possessing. 

As he sat in the train, with a newspaper in his hand, he went onacknowledging to himself that he was a villain. Lady Julia had spokenthe truth to him on the stairs at Courcy, and so he confessed overand over again. But he was chiefly angry with himself for this, --thathe had been a villain without gaining anything by his villainy; thathe had been a villain, and was to lose so much by his villainy. Hemade comparison between Lily and Alexandrina, and owned to himself, over and over again, that Lily would make the best wife that a mancould take to his bosom. As to Alexandrina, he knew the thinness ofher character. She would stick by him, no doubt; and in a circuitous, discontented, unhappy way, would probably be true to her duties asa wife and mother. She would be nearly such another as Lady AmeliaGazebee. But was that a prize sufficiently rich to make him contentedwith his own prowess and skill in winning it? And was that a prizesufficiently rich to justify him to himself for his terriblevillainy? Lily Dale he had loved; and he now declared to himself thathe could have continued to love her through his whole life. But whatwas there for any man to love in Alexandrina de Courcy?

While resolving, during his first four or five days at the castle, that he would throw Lily Dale overboard, he had contrived to quiethis conscience by inward allusions to sundry heroes of romance. Hehad thought of Lothario, Don Juan, and of Lovelace; and had toldhimself that the world had ever been full of such heroes. And theworld, too, had treated such heroes well; not punishing them at allas villains, but caressing them rather, and calling them curleddarlings. Why should not he be a curled darling as well as another?Ladies had ever been fond of the Don Juan character, and Don Juan hadgenerally been popular with men also. And then he named to himself adozen modern Lotharios, --men who were holding their heads well abovewater, although it was known that they had played this lady false, and brought that other one to death's door, or perhaps even to deathitself. War and love were alike, and the world was prepared toforgive any guile to militants in either camp. 

But now that he had done the deed he found himself forced to lookat it from quite another point of view. Suddenly that character ofLothario showed itself to him in a different light, and one in whichit did not please him to look at it as belonging to himself. He beganto feel that it would be almost impossible for him to write thatletter to Lily, which it was absolutely necessary that he shouldwrite. He was in a position in which his mind would almost turnitself to thoughts of self-destruction as the only means of escape. Afortnight ago he was a happy man, having everything before him that aman ought to want; and now--now that he was the accepted son-in-lawof an earl, and the confident expectant of high promotion--he was themost miserable, degraded wretch in the world!

He changed his clothes at his lodgings in Mount Street and went downto his club to dinner. He could, at any rate, do nothing that night. His letter to Allington must, no doubt, be written at once; but, ashe could not send it before the next night's post, he was not forcedto set to work upon it that evening. As he walked along Piccadillyon his way to St. James's Square, it occurred to him that it mightbe well to write a short line to Lily, telling her nothing of thetruth, --a note written as though his engagement with her was stillunbroken, but yet written with care, saying nothing about thatengagement, so as to give him a little time. Then he thought that hewould telegraph to Bernard and tell everything to him. Bernard would, of course, be prepared to avenge his cousin in some way, but for suchvengeance Crosbie felt that he should care little. Lady Julia hadtold him that Lily was without father or brother, thereby accusinghim of the basest cowardice. "I wish she had a dozen brothers, " hesaid to himself. But he hardly knew why he expressed such a wish. 

He returned to London on the last day of October, and he found thestreets at the West End nearly deserted. He thought, therefore, thathe should be quite alone at his club, but as he entered the dinnerroom he saw one of his oldest and most intimate friends standingbefore the fire. Fowler Pratt was the man who had first brought himinto Sebright's, and had given him almost his earliest start on hissuccessful career in life. Since that time he and his friend FowlerPratt had lived in close communion, though Pratt had always held acertain ascendancy in their friendship. He was in age a few yearssenior to Crosbie, and was in truth a man of better parts. But he wasless ambitious, less desirous of shining in the world, and much lesspopular with men in general. He was possessed of a moderate privatefortune on which he lived in a quiet, modest manner, and wasunmarried, not likely to marry, inoffensive, useless, and prudent. For the first few years of Crosbie's life in London he had lived verymuch with his friend Pratt, and had been accustomed to depend muchon his friend's counsel; but latterly, since he had himself becomesomewhat noticeable, he had found more pleasure in the society ofsuch men as Dale, who were not his superiors either in age or wisdom. But there had been no coolness between him and Pratt, and now theymet with perfect cordiality. 

"I thought you were down in Barsetshire, " said Pratt. 

"And I thought you were in Switzerland. "

"I have been in Switzerland, " said Pratt. 

"And I have been in Barsetshire, " said Crosbie. Then they orderedtheir dinner together. 

"And so you're going to be married?" said Pratt, when the waiter hadcarried away the cheese. 

"Who told you that?"

"Well, but you are? Never mind who told me, if I was told the truth. "

"But if it be not true?"

"I have heard it for the last month, " said Pratt, "and it has beenspoken of as a thing certain; and it is true; is it not?"

"I believe it is, " said Crosbie, slowly. 

"Why, what on earth is the matter with you, that you speak of it inthat way? Am I to congratulate you, or am I not? The lady, I'm told, is a cousin of Dale's. "

Crosbie had turned his chair from the table round to the fire, andsaid nothing in answer to this. He sat with his glass of sherry inhis hand, looking at the coals, and thinking whether it would not bewell that he should tell the whole story to Pratt. No one could givehim better advice; and no one, as far as he knew his friend, wouldbe less shocked at the telling of such a story. Pratt had no romanceabout women, and had never pretended to very high sentiments. 

"Come up into the smoking-room and I'll tell you all about it, " saidCrosbie. So they went off together, and, as the smoking-room wasuntenanted, Crosbie was able to tell his story. 

He found it very hard to tell;--much harder than he had beforehandfancied. "I have got into terrible trouble, " he began by saying. Thenhe told how he had fallen suddenly in love with Lily, how, he hadbeen rash and imprudent, how nice she was--"infinitely too good forsuch a man as I am, " he said;--how she had accepted him, and then howhe had repented. "I should have told you beforehand, " he then said, "that I was already half engaged to Lady Alexandrina de Courcy. " Thereader, however, will understand that this half engagement was afiction. 

"And now you mean that you are altogether engaged to her?"

"Exactly so. "

"And that Miss Dale must be told that, on second thoughts, you havechanged your mind?"

"I know that I have behaved very badly, " said Crosbie. 

"Indeed you have, " said his friend. 

"It is one of those troubles in which a man finds himself involvedalmost before he knows where he is. "

"Well; I can't look at it exactly in that light. A man may amusehimself with a girl, and I can understand his disappointing her andnot offering to marry her, --though even that sort of thing isn't muchto my taste. But, by George, to make an offer of marriage to sucha girl as that in September, to live for a month in her family asher affianced husband, and then coolly go away to another house inOctober, and make an offer to another girl of higher rank--"

"You know very well that that has had nothing to do with it. "

"It looks very like it. And how are you going to communicate thesetidings to Miss Dale?"

"I don't know, " said Crosbie, who was beginning to be very sore. 

"And you have quite made up your mind that you'll stick to the earl'sdaughter?"

The idea of jilting Alexandrina instead of Lily had never as yetpresented itself to Crosbie, and now, as he thought of it, he couldnot perceive that it was feasible. 

"Yes, " he said, "I shall marry Lady Alexandrina;--that is, if I donot cut the whole concern, and my own throat into the bargain. "

"If I were in your shoes I think I should cut the whole concern. Icould not stand it. What do you mean to say to Miss Dale's uncle?"

"I don't care a ---- for Miss Dale's uncle, " said, Crosbie. "If hewere to walk in at that door this moment, I would tell him the wholestory, without--"

As he was yet speaking, one of the club servants opened the door ofthe smoking-room, and seeing Crosbie seated in a lounging-chair nearthe fire, went up to him with a gentleman's card. Crosbie took thecard and read the name. "Mr Dale, Allington. "

"The gentleman is in the waiting-room, " said the servant. 

Crosbie for the moment was struck dumb. He had declared that verymoment that he should feel no personal disinclination to meet MrDale, and now that gentleman was within the walls of the club, waiting to see him!

"Who's that?" asked Pratt. And then Crosbie handed him the card. "Whew-w-w-hew, " whistled Pratt. 

"Did you tell the gentleman I was here?" asked Crosbie. 

"I said I thought you were upstairs, sir. "

"That will do, " said Pratt. "The gentleman will no doubt wait for aminute. " And then the servant went out of the room. "Now, Crosbie, you must make up your mind. By one of these women and all her friendsyou will ever be regarded as a rascal, and they of course will lookout to punish you with such punishment as may come to their hands. You must now choose which shall be the sufferer. "

The man was a coward at heart. The reflection that he might, evennow, at this moment, meet the old squire on pleasant terms, --or atany rate not on terms of defiance, pleaded more strongly in Lily'sfavour than had any other argument since Crosbie had first made uphis mind to abandon her. He did not fear personal ill-usage;--he wasnot afraid lest he should be kicked or beaten; but he did not dare toface the just anger of the angry man. 

"If I were you, " said Pratt, "I would not go down to that man at thepresent moment for a trifle. "

"But what can I do?"

"Shirk away out of the club. Only if you do that it seems to me thatyou'll have to go on shirking for the rest of your life. "

"Pratt, I must say that I expected something more like friendshipfrom you. "

"What can I do for you? There are positions in which it is impossibleto help a man. I tell you plainly that you have behaved very badly. Ido not see that I can help you. "

"Would you see him?"

"Certainly not, if I am to be expected to take your part. "

"Take any part you like, --only tell him the truth. "

"And what is the truth?"

"I was part engaged to that other girl before; and then, when I cameto think of it, I knew that I was not fit to marry Miss Dale. I knowI have behaved badly; but, Pratt, thousands have done the same thingbefore. "

"I can only say that I have not been so unfortunate as to reckon anyof those thousands among my friends. "

"You mean to tell me, then, that you are going to turn your back onme?" said Crosbie. 

"I haven't said anything of the kind. I certainly won't undertake todefend you, for I don't see that your conduct admits of defence. Iwill see this gentleman if you wish it, and tell him anything thatyou desire me to tell him. "

At this moment the servant returned with a note for Crosbie. Mr Dalehad called for paper and envelope, and sent up to him the followingmissive:--"Do you intend to come down to me? I know that you are inthe house. " "For heaven's sake go to him, " said Crosbie. "He is wellaware that I was deceived about his niece, --that I thought he wasto give her some fortune. He knows all about that, and that when Ilearned from him that she was to have nothing--"

"Upon my word, Crosbie, I wish you could find another messenger. "

"Ah! you do not understand, " said Crosbie in his agony. "You thinkthat I am inventing this plea about her fortune now. It isn't so. Hewill understand. We have talked all this over before, and he knewhow terribly I was disappointed. Shall I wait for you here, or willyou come to my lodgings? Or I will go down to the Beaufort, and willwait for you there. " And it was finally arranged that he should gethimself out of this club and wait at the other for Pratt's report ofthe interview. 

"Do you go down first, " said Crosbie. 

"Yes: I had better, " said Pratt. "Otherwise you may be seen. Mr Dalewould have his eye upon you, and there would be a row in the house. "There was a smile of sarcasm on Pratt's face as he spoke whichangered Crosbie even in his misery, and made him long to tell hisfriend that he would not trouble him with this mission, --that hewould manage his own affairs himself; but he was weakened andmentally humiliated by the sense of his own rascality, and hadalready lost the power of asserting himself, and of maintaining hisascendancy. He was beginning to recognise the fact that he had donethat for which he must endure to be kicked, to be kicked morally ifnot materially; and that it was no longer possible for him to holdhis head up without shame. 

Pratt took Mr Dale's note in his hand and went down into thestranger's room. There he found the squire standing, so that he couldsee through the open door of the room to the foot of the stairs downwhich Crosbie must descend before he could leave the club. As ameasure of first precaution the ambassador closed the door; then hebowed to Mr Dale, and asked him if he would take a chair. 

"I wanted to see Mr Crosbie, " said the squire. 

"I have your note to that gentleman in my hand, " said he. "He hasthought it better that you should have this interview with me;--andunder all the circumstances perhaps it is better. "

"Is he such a coward that he dare not see me?"

"There are some actions, Mr Dale, that will make a coward of any man. My friend Crosbie is, I take it, brave enough in the ordinary senseof the word, but he has injured you. "

"It is all true, then?"

"Yes, Mr Dale; I fear it is all true. "

"And you call that man your friend! Mr--; I don't know what your nameis. "

"Pratt;--Fowler Pratt. I have known Crosbie for fourteen years, --eversince he was a boy; and it is not my way, Mr Dale, to throw over anold friend under any circumstances. "

"Not if he committed a murder. "

"No; not though he committed a murder. "

"If what I hear is true, this man is worse than a murderer. "

"Of course, Mr Dale, I cannot know what you have heard. I believethat Mr Crosbie has behaved very badly to your niece, Miss Dale; Ibelieve that he was engaged to marry her, or, at any rate, that somesuch proposition had been made. "

"Proposition! Why, sir, it was a thing so completely understood thateverybody knew it in the county. It was so positively fixed thatthere was no secret about it. Upon my honour, Mr Pratt, I can't asyet understand it. If I remember right, its not a fortnight sincehe left my house at Allington, --not a fortnight. And that poor girlwas with him on the morning of his going as his betrothed bride. Not a fortnight since! And now I've had a letter from an old familyfriend telling me that he is going to marry one of Lord de Courcy'sdaughters! I went instantly off to Courcy, and found that he hadstarted for London. Now, I have followed him here; and you tell meit's all true. "

"I am afraid it is, Mr Dale; too true. "

"I don't understand it; I don't, indeed. I cannot bring myself tobelieve that the man who was sitting the other day at my table shouldbe so great a scoundrel. Did he mean it all the time that he wasthere?"

"No; certainly not. Lady Alexandrina de Courcy was, I believe, an oldfriend of his;--with whom, perhaps, he had had some lover's quarrel. On his going to Courcy they made it up, and this is the result. "

"And that is to be sufficient for my poor girl?"

"You will, of course, understand that I am not defending Mr Crosbie. The whole affair is very sad, --very sad, indeed. I can only say, inhis excuse, that he is not the first man who has behaved badly to alady. "

"And that is his message to me, is it? And that is what I am to tellmy niece? You have been deceived by a scoundrel. But what then? Youare not the first! Mr Pratt, I give you my word as a gentleman, I donot understand it. I have lived a good deal out of the world, and am, therefore, perhaps; more astonished than I ought to be. "

"Mr Dale, I feel for you--"

"Feel for me! What is to become of my girl? And do you suppose thatI will let this other marriage go on; that I will not tell thede Courcys, and all the world at large, what sort of a man thisis, --that I will not get at him to punish him? Does he think that Iwill put up with this?"

"I do not know what he thinks; I must only beg that you will not mixme up in the matter--as though I were a participator in his offence. "

"Will you tell him from me that I desire to see him?"

"I do not think that that would do any good. "

"Never mind, sir; you have brought me his message; will you have thegoodness now to take back mine to him?"

"Do you mean at once, --this evening, --now?"

"Yes, at once, --this evening, --now;--this minute. "

"Ah; he has left the club; he is not here now; he went when I came toyou. "

"Then he is a coward as well as a scoundrel. " In answer to whichassertion, Mr Fowler Pratt merely shrugged his shoulders. 

"He is a coward as well as a scoundrel. Will you have the kindness totell your friend from me that he is a coward and a scoundrel, --and aliar, sir. "

"If it be so, Miss Dale is well quit of her engagement. "

"That is your consolation, is it? That may be all very well nowadays;but when I was a young man, I would sooner have burnt out my tonguethan have spoken in such a way on such a subject. I would, indeed. Good-night, Mr Pratt. Pray make your friend understand that he hasnot yet seen the last of the Dales; although, as you hint, the ladiesof that family will no doubt have learned that he is not fit toassociate with them. " Then, taking up his hat, the squire made hisway out of the club. 

"I would not have done it, " said Pratt to himself, "for all thebeauty, and all the wealth, and all the rank that ever were owned bya woman. "

CHAPTER XXVI

Lord de Courcy in the Bosom of His Family

Lady Julia De Guest had not during her life written many letters toMr Dale of Allington, nor had she ever been very fond of him. Butwhen she felt certain how things were going at Courcy, or rather, aswe may say, how they had already gone, she took pen in hand, and setherself to work, doing, as she conceived, her duty by her neighbour. 

 MY DEAR MR DALE [she said], I believe I need make no secret of having known that your niece Lilian is engaged to Mr Crosbie, of London. I think it proper to warn you that if this be true Mr Crosbie is behaving himself in a very improper manner here. I am not a person who concerns myself much in the affairs of other people; and under ordinary circumstances, the conduct of Mr Crosbie would be nothing to me, --or, indeed, less than nothing; but I do to you as I would wish that others should do unto me. I believe it is only too true that Mr Crosbie has proposed to Lady Alexandrina de Courcy, and been accepted by her. I think you will believe that I would not say this without warrant, and if there be anything in it, it may be well, for the poor young lady's sake, that you should put yourself in the way of learning the truth. 

 Believe me to be yours sincerely, JULIA DE GUEST. 

 COURCY CASTLE, Thursday. 

The squire had never been very fond of any of the De Guest family, and had, perhaps, liked Lady Julia the least of them all. He was wontto call her a meddling old woman, --remembering her bitterness andpride in those now long bygone days in which the gallant major hadrun off with Lady Fanny. When he first received this letter, he didnot, on the first reading of it, believe a word of its contents. "Cross-grained old harridan, " he said out loud to his nephew. "Lookwhat that aunt of yours has written to me. " Bernard read the lettertwice, and as he did so his face became hard and angry. 

"You don't mean to say you believe it?" said the squire. 

"I don't think it will be safe to disregard it. "

"What! you think it possible that your friend is doing as she says?"

"It is certainly possible. He was angry when he found that Lily hadno fortune. "

"Heavens, Bernard! And you can speak of it in that way?"

"I don't say that it is true; but I think we should look to it. Iwill go to Courcy Castle and learn the truth. "

The squire at last decided that he would go. He went to CourcyCastle, and found that Crosbie had started two hours before hisarrival. He asked for Lady Julia, and learned from her that Crosbiehad actually left the house as the betrothed husband of LadyAlexandrina. 

"The countess, I am sure, will not contradict it, if you will seeher, " said Lady Julia. But this the squire was unwilling to do. Hewould not proclaim the wretched condition of his niece more loudlythan was necessary, and therefore he started on his pursuit ofCrosbie. What was his success on that evening we have alreadylearned. 

Both Lady Alexandrina and her mother heard of Mr Dale's arrival atthe castle, but nothing was said between them on the subject. LadyAmelia Gazebee heard of it also, and she ventured to discuss thematter with her sister. 

"You don't know exactly how far it went, do you?"

"No; yes;--not exactly, that is, " said Alexandrina. 

"I suppose he did say something about marriage to the girl?"

"Yes, I'm afraid he did. "

"Dear, dear! It's very unfortunate. What sort of people are thoseDales? I suppose he talked to you about them. "

"No, he didn't; not very much. I daresay she is an artful, sly thing!It's a great pity men should go on in such a way. "

"Yes, it is, " said Lady Amelia. "And I do suppose that in this casethe blame has been more with him than with her. It's only right Ishould tell you that. "

"But what can I do?"

"I don't say you can do anything; but it's as well you should know. "

"But I don't know, and you don't know; and I can't see that there isany use talking about it now. I knew him a long while before she did, and if she has allowed him to make a fool of her, it isn't my fault. "

"Nobody says it is, my dear. "

"But you seem to preach to me about it. What can I do for the girl?The fact is, he don't care for her a bit, and never did. "

"Then he shouldn't have told her that he did. "

"That's all very well, Amelia; but people don't always do exactly allthat they ought to do. I suppose Mr Crosbie isn't the first man thathas proposed to two ladies. I dare say it was wrong, but I can't helpit. As to Mr Dale coming here with a tale of his niece's wrongs, Ithink it very absurd, --very absurd indeed. It makes it look as thoughthere had been a scheme to catch Mr Crosbie, and it's my belief thatthere was such a scheme. "

"I only hope that there'll be no quarrel. "

"Men don't fight duels nowadays, Amelia. "

"But do you remember what Frank Gresham did to Mr Moffat when hebehaved so badly to poor Augusta?"

"Mr Crosbie isn't afraid of that kind of thing. And I always thoughtthat Frank was very wrong, --very wrong indeed. What's the good of twomen beating each other in the street?"

"Well; I'm sure I hope there'll be no quarrel. But I own I don't likethe look of it. You see the uncle must have known all about it, andhave consented to the marriage, or he would not have come here. "

"I don't see that it can make any difference to me, Amelia. "

"No, my dear, I don't see that it can. We shall be up in town soon, and I will see as much as possible of Mr Crosbie. The marriage, Ihope, will take place soon. "

"He talks of February. "

"Don't put it off, Alley, whatever you do. There are so many slips, you know, in these things. "

"I'm not a bit afraid of that, " said Alexandrina, sticking up herhead. 

"I dare say not; and you may be sure that we will keep an eye on him. Mortimer will get him up to dine with us as often as possible, and ashis leave of absence is all over, he can't get out of town. He's tobe here at Christmas, isn't he?"

"Of course he is. "

"Mind you keep him to that. And as to these Dales, I would be verycareful, if I were you, not to say anything unkind of them to anyone. It sounds badly in your position. " And with this last piece ofadvice Lady Amelia Gazebee allowed the subject to drop. 

On that day Lady Julia returned to her own home. Her adieux to thewhole family at Courcy Castle were very cold, but about Mr Crosbieand his lady-love at Allington she said no further word to any ofthem. Alexandrina did not show herself at all on the occasion, andindeed had not spoken to her enemy since that evening on which shehad felt herself constrained to retreat from the drawing-room. 

"Good-bye, " said the countess. "You have been so good to come, and wehave enjoyed it so much. "

"I thank you very much. Good-morning, " said Lady Julia, with astately courtesy. 

"Pray remember me to your brother. I wish we could have seen him; Ihope he has not been hurt by the--the bull. " And then Lady Julia wenther way. 

"What a fool I have been to have that woman in the house, " said thecountess, before the door was closed behind her guest's back. 

"Indeed you have, " said Lady Julia, screaming back through thepassage. Then there was a long silence, then a suppressed titter, andafter that a loud laugh. 

"Oh, mamma, what shall we do?" said Lady Amelia. 

"Do!" said Margaretta; "why should we do anything? She has heard thetruth for once in her life. "

"Dear Lady Dumbello, what will you think of us?" said the countess, turning round to another guest, who was also just about to depart. "Did any one ever know such a woman before?"

"I think she's very nice, " said Lady Dumbello, smiling. 

"I can't quite agree with you there, " said Lady Clandidlem. "But Ido believe she means to do her best. She is very charitable, and allthat sort of thing. "

"I'm sure I don't know, " said Rosina. "I asked her for a subscriptionto the mission for putting down the Papists in the west of Ireland, and she refused me point-blank. "

"Now, my dear, if you're quite ready, " said Lord Dumbello, cominginto the room. Then there was another departure; but on this occasionthe countess waited till the doors were shut, and the retreatingfootsteps were no longer heard. "Have you observed, " said she to LadyClandidlem, "that she has not held her head up since Mr Palliser wentaway?"

"Indeed I have, " said Lady Clandidlem. "As for poor Dumbello, he'sthe blindest creature I ever saw in my life. "

"We shall hear of something before next May, " said Lady de Courcy, shaking her head; "but for all that she'll never be Duchess ofOmnium. "

"I wonder what your mamma will say of me when I go away to-morrow, "said Lady Clandidlem to Margaretta, as they walked across the halltogether. 

"She won't say that you are going to run away with any gentleman, "said Margaretta. 

"At any rate not with the earl, " said Lady Clandidlem. "Ha, ha, ha!Well, we are all very good-natured, are we not? The best is that itmeans nothing. "

Thus by degrees all the guests went, and the family of the de Courcyswas left to the bliss of their own domestic circle. This, we maypresume, was not without its charms, seeing that there were so manyfeelings in common between the mother and her children. There weredrawbacks to it, no doubt, arising perhaps chiefly from the earl'sbodily infirmities. "When your father speaks to me, " said Mrs Georgeto her husband, "he puts me in such a shiver that I cannot open mymouth to answer him. "

"You should stand up to him, " said George. "He can't hurt you, youknow. Your money's your own; and if I'm ever to be the heir, it won'tbe by his doing. "

"But he gnashes his teeth at me. "

"You shouldn't care for that, if he don't bite. He used to gnash themat me; and when I had to ask him for money I didn't like it; but nowI don't mind him a bit. He threw the peerage at me one day, but itdidn't go within a yard of my head. "

"If he throws anything at me, George, I shall drop upon the spot. "

But the countess had a worse time with the earl than any of herchildren. It was necessary that she should see him daily, andnecessary also that she should say much that he did not like to hear, and make many petitions that caused him to gnash his teeth. The earlwas one of those men who could not endure to live otherwise thanexpensively, and yet was made miserable by every recurring expense. He ought to have known by this time that butchers, and bakers, andcorn-chandlers, and coal-merchants will not supply their goods fornothing; and yet it always seemed as though he had expected that atthis special period they would do so. He was an embarrassed man, nodoubt, and had not been fortunate in his speculations at Newmarketor Homburg; but, nevertheless, he had still the means of livingwithout daily torment; and it must be supposed that his self-imposedsufferings, with regard to money, rose rather from his dispositionthan his necessities. His wife never knew whether he were reallyruined, or simply pretending it. She had now become so used toher position in this respect, that she did not allow fiscalconsiderations to mar her happiness. Food and clothing hadalways come to her, --including velvet gowns, new trinkets, and aman-cook, --and she presumed that they would continue to come. Butthat daily conference with her husband was almost too much for her. She struggled to avoid it; and, as far as the ways and means wereconcerned, would have allowed them to arrange themselves, if he wouldonly have permitted it. But he insisted on seeing her daily in hisown sitting-room; and she had acknowledged to her favourite daughter, Margaretta, that those half-hours would soon be the death of her. "I sometimes feel, " she said, "that I am going mad before I can getout. " And she reproached herself, probably without reason, in thatshe had brought much of this upon herself. In former days the earlhad been constantly away from home, and the countess had complained. Like many other women, she had not known when she was well off. Shehad complained, urging upon her lord that he should devote moreof his time to his own hearth. It is probable that her ladyship'sremonstrances had been less efficacious than the state of his ownhealth in producing that domestic constancy which he now practised;but it is certain that she looked back with bitter regret to thehappy days when she was deserted, jealous, and querulous. "Don'tyou wish we could get Sir Omicron to order him to the German Spas?"she had said to Margaretta. Now Sir Omicron was the great Londonphysician, and might, no doubt, do much in that way. 

But no such happy order had as yet been given; and, as far as thefamily could foresee, paterfamilias intended to pass the winter withthem at Courcy. The guests, as I have said, were all gone, and nonebut the family were in the house when her ladyship waited upon herlord one morning at twelve o'clock, a few days after Mr Dale's visitto the castle. He always breakfasted alone, and after breakfast foundin a French novel and a cigar what solace those innocent recreationswere still able to afford him. When the novel no longer excited himand when he was saturated with smoke, he would send for his wife. After that, his valet would dress him. "She gets it worse than I do, "the man declared in the servants' hall, "and minds it a deal more. Ican give warning, and she can't. "

"Better? No, I ain't better, " the husband said, in answer to hiswife's inquiries. "I never shall be better while you keep that cookin the kitchen. "

"But where are we to get another if we send him away?"

"It's not my business to find cooks. I don't know where you're toget one. It's my belief you won't have a cook at all before long. Itseems you have got two extra men into the house without telling me. "

"We must have servants, you know, when there is company. It wouldn'tdo to have Lady Dumbello here, and no one to wait on her. "

"Who asked Lady Dumbello? I didn't. "

"I'm sure, my dear, you liked having her here. "

"D---- Lady Dumbello!" and then there was a pause. The countess hadno objection whatsoever to the above proposition, and was rejoicedthat that question of the servants was allowed to slip aside, throughthe aid of her ladyship. 

"Look at that letter from Porlock, " said the earl; and he pushedover to the unhappy mother a letter from her eldest son. Of all herchildren he was the one she loved the best; but him she was neverallowed to see under her own roof. "I sometimes think that he is thegreatest rascal with whom I ever had occasion to concern myself, "said the earl. 

She took the letter and read it. The epistle was certainly not onewhich a father could receive with pleasure from his son; but thedisagreeable nature of its contents was the fault rather of theparent than of the child. The writer intimated that certain money dueto him had not been paid with necessary punctuality, and that unlesshe received it, he should instruct his lawyer to take some authorisedlegal proceedings. Lord de Courcy had raised certain moneys onthe family property, which he could not have raised without theco-operation of his heir, and had bound himself, in return for thatco-operation, to pay a certain fixed income to his eldest son. Thishe regarded as an allowance from himself; but Lord Porlock regardedit as his own, by lawful claim. The son had not worded his letterwith any affectionate phraseology. "Lord Porlock begs to inform Lordde Courcy--" Such had been the commencement. 

"I suppose he must have his money; else how can he live?" said thecountess, trembling. 

"Live!" shouted the earl. "And so you think it proper that he shouldwrite such a letter as that to his father!"

"It is all very unfortunate, " she replied. 

"I don't know where the money's to come from. As for him, if he werestarving, it would serve him right. He's a disgrace to the name andthe family. From all I hear, he won't live long. "

"Oh, de Courcy, don't talk of it in that way!"

"What way am I to talk of it? If I say that he's my greatest comfort, and living as becomes a nobleman, and is a fine healthy man of hisage, with a good wife and a lot of legitimate children, will thatmake you believe it? Women are such fools. Nothing that I say willmake him worse than he is. "

"But he may reform. "

"Reform! He's over forty, and when I last saw him he looked nearlysixty. There;--you may answer his letter; I won't. "

"And about the money?"

"Why doesn't he write to Gazebee about his dirty money? Why does hetrouble me? I haven't got his money. Ask Gazebee about his money. Iwon't trouble myself about it. " Then there was another pause, duringwhich the countess folded the letter, and put it in her pocket. 

"How long is George going to remain here with that woman?" he asked. 

"I'm sure she is very harmless, " pleaded the countess. 

"I always think when I see her that I'm sitting down to dinner withmy own housemaid. I never saw such a woman. How he can put up withit! But I don't suppose he cares for anything. "

"It has made him very steady. "

"Steady!"

"And as she will be confined before long it may be as well that sheshould remain here. If Porlock doesn't marry, you know--"

"And so he means to live here altogether, does he? I'll tell you whatit is, --I won't have it. He's better able to keep a house over hisown head and his wife's than I am to do it for them, and so you maytell them. I won't have it. D'ye hear?" Then there was another shortpause. "D'ye hear?" he shouted at her. 

"Yes; of course I hear. I was only thinking you wouldn't wish me toturn them out, just as her confinement is coming on. "

"I know what that means. Then they'd never go. I won't have it; andif you don't tell them I will. " In answer to this Lady de Courcypromised that she would tell them, thinking perhaps that the earl'smode of telling might not be beneficial in that particular epochwhich was now coming in the life of Mrs George. 

"Did you know, " said he, breaking out on a new subject, "that a manhad been here named Dale, calling on somebody in this house?" Inanswer to which the countess acknowledged that she had known it. 

"Then why did you keep it from me?" And that gnashing of the teethtook place which was so specially objectionable to Mrs George. 

"It was a matter of no moment. He came to see Lady Julia De Guest. "

"Yes; but he came about that man Crosbie. "

"I suppose he did. "

"Why have you let that girl be such a fool? You'll find he'll playher some knave's trick. "

"Oh dear, no. "

"And why should she want to marry such a man as that?"

"He's quite a gentleman, you know, and very much thought of in theworld. It won't be at all bad for her, poor thing. It is so very hardfor a girl to get married nowadays without money. "

"And so they're to take up with anybody. As far as I can see, this isa worse affair than that of Amelia. "

"Amelia has done very well, my dear. "

"Oh, if you call it doing well for your girls; I don't. I call itdoing uncommon badly; about as bad as they well can do. But it's youraffair. I have never meddled with them, and don't intend to do itnow. "

"I really think she'll be happy, and she is devotedly attached to theyoung man. "

"Devotedly attached to the young man!" The tone and manner in whichthe earl repeated these words were such as to warrant an opinion thathis lordship might have done very well on the stage had his attentionbeen called to that profession. "It makes me sick to hear peopletalk in that way. She wants to get married, and she's a fool for herpains;--I can't help that; only remember that I'll have no nonsensehere about that other girl. If he gives me trouble of that sort, by----, I'll be the death of him. When is the marriage to be?"

"They talk of February. "

"I won't have any tomfoolery and expense. If she chooses to marry aclerk in an office, she shall marry him as clerks are married. "

"He'll be the secretary before that, de Courcy. "

"What difference does that make? Secretary, indeed! What sort of mendo you suppose secretaries are? A beggar that came from nobody knowswhere! I won't have any tomfoolery;--d'ye hear?" Whereupon thecountess said that she did hear, and soon afterwards managed toescape. The valet then took his turn; and repeated, after his hourof service, that "Old Nick" in his tantrums had been more like thePrince of Darkness than ever. 

CHAPTER XXVII

"On My Honour, I Do Not Understand It"

In the meantime Lady Alexandrina endeavoured to realise to herselfall the advantages and disadvantages of her own position. She was notpossessed of strong affections, nor of depth of character, nor ofhigh purpose; but she was no fool, nor was she devoid of principle. She had asked herself many times whether her present life was sohappy as to make her think that a permanent continuance in it wouldsuffice for her desires, and she had always replied to herself thatshe would fain change to some other life if it were possible. Shehad also questioned herself as to her rank, of which she was quitesufficiently proud, and had told herself that she could not degradeherself in the world without a heavy pang. But she had at last taughtherself to believe that she had more to gain by becoming the wife ofsuch a man as Crosbie than by remaining as an unmarried daughter ofher father's house. There was much in her sister Amelia's positionwhich she did not envy, but there was less to envy in that of hersister Rosina. The Gazebee house in St. John's Wood Road was notso magnificent as Courcy Castle; but then it was less dull, lessembittered by torment, and was moreover her sister's own. 

"Very many do marry commoners, " she had said to Margaretta. 

"Oh, yes, of course. It makes a difference, you know, when a man hasa fortune. "

Of course it did make a difference. Crosbie had no fortune, was noteven so rich as Mr Gazebee, could keep no carriage, and would haveno country house. But then he was a man of fashion, was more thoughtof in the world than Mr Gazebee, might probably rise in his ownprofession, --and was at any rate thoroughly presentable. She wouldhave preferred a gentleman with £5, 000 a year; but then as nogentleman with £5, 000 a year came that way, would she not be happierwith Mr Crosbie than she would be with no husband at all? She was notvery much in love with Mr Crosbie, but she thought that she couldlive with him comfortably, and that on the whole it would be a goodthing to be married. 

And she made certain resolves as to the manner in which she would doher duty by her husband. Her sister Amelia was paramount in her ownhouse, ruling indeed with a moderate, endurable dominion, and rulingmuch to her husband's advantage. Alexandrina feared that she wouldnot be allowed to rule, but she could at any rate try; She would doall in her power to make him comfortable, and would be speciallycareful not to irritate him by any insistence on her own higher rank. She would be very meek in this respect; and if children should comeshe would be as painstaking about them as though her own father hadbeen merely a clergyman or a lawyer. She thought also much about poorLilian Dale, asking herself sundry questions, with an idea of beinghigh-principled as to her duty in that respect. Was she wrong intaking Mr Crosbie away from Lilian Dale? In answer to these questionsshe was able to assure herself comfortably that she was not wrong. Mr Crosbie would not, under any circumstances, marry Lilian Dale. He had told her so more than once, and that in a solemn way. Shecould therefore be doing no harm to Lilian Dale. If she entertainedany inner feeling that Crosbie's fault in jilting Lilian Dale wasless than it would have been had she herself not been an earl'sdaughter, --that her own rank did in some degree extenuate her lover'sfalseness, --she did not express it in words even to herself. 

She did not get very much sympathy from her own family. "I'm afraidhe does not think much of his religious duties. I'm told that youngmen of that sort seldom do, " said Rosina. "I don't say you're wrong, "said Margaretta. "By no means. Indeed I think less of it now than Idid when Amelia did the same thing. I shouldn't do it myself, that'sall. " Her father told her that he supposed she knew her own mind. Hermother, who endeavoured to comfort and in some sort to congratulateher, nevertheless, harped constantly on the fact that shewas marrying a man without rank and without a fortune. Hercongratulations were apologetic, and her comfortings took the guiseof consolation. "Of course you won't be rich, my dear; but I reallythink you'll do very well. Mr Crosbie may be received anywhere, andyou never need be ashamed of him. " By which the countess implied thather elder married daughter was occasionally called on to be ashamedof her husband. "I wish he could keep a carriage for you, but perhapsthat will come some day. " Upon the whole Alexandrina did not repent, and stoutly told her father that she did know her own mind. 

During all this time Lily Dale was as yet perfect in her happiness. That delay of a day or two in the receipt of the expected letter fromher lover had not disquieted her. She had promised him that she wouldnot distrust him, and she was firmly minded to keep her promises. Indeed no idea of breaking it came to her at this time. She wasdisappointed when the postman would come and bring no letter forher, --disappointed, as the husbandman when the longed-for rain doesnot come to refresh the parched earth; but she was in no degreeangry. "He will explain it, " she said to herself. And she assuredBell that men never recognised the hunger and thirst after letterswhich women feel when away from those whom they love. 

Then they heard at the Small House that the squire had gone away fromAllington. During the last few days Bernard had not been much withthem, and now they heard the news, not through their cousin, butfrom Hopkins. "I really can't undertake to say, Miss Bell, where themaster's gone to. It's not likely the master'd tell me where he wasgoing to; not unless it was about seeds, or the likes of that. "

"He has gone very suddenly, " said Bell. 

"Well, miss, I've nothing to say to that. And why shouldn't he gosudden if he likes? I only know he had his gig, and went to thestation. If you was to bury me alive I couldn't tell you more. "

"I should like to try, " said Lily as they walked away. "He is such across old thing. I wonder whether Bernard has gone with my uncle. "And then they thought no more about it. 

On the day after that Bernard came down to the Small House, but hesaid nothing by way of accounting for the squire's absence. "He is inLondon, I know, " said Bernard. 

"I hope he'll call on Mr Crosbie, " said Lily. But on this subjectBernard said not a word. He did ask Lily whether she had heard fromAdolphus, in answer to which she replied, with as indifferent a voiceas she could assume, that she had not had a letter that morning. 

"I shall be angry with him if he's not a good correspondent, " saidMrs Dale, when she and Lily were alone together. 

"No, mamma, you mustn't be angry with him. I won't let you be angrywith him. Please to remember he's my lover and not yours. "

"But I can see you when you watch for the postman. "

"I won't watch for the postman any more if it makes you have badthoughts about him. Yes, they are bad thoughts. I won't have youthink that he doesn't do everything that is right. "

On the next morning the postman brought a letter, or rather a note, and Lily at once saw that it was from Crosbie. She had contrived tointercept it near the back door, at which the postman called, so thather mother should not watch her watchings, nor see her disappointmentif none should come. "Thank you, Jane, " she said, very calmly, whenthe eager, kindly girl ran to her with the little missive; and shewalked off to some solitude, trying to hide her impatience. The notehad seemed so small that it amazed her; but when she opened it thecontents amazed her more. There was neither beginning nor end. Therewas no appellation of love, and no signature. It contained but twolines. "I will write to you at length to-morrow. This is my first dayin London, and I have been so driven about that I cannot write. " Thatwas all, and it was scrawled on half a sheet of note-paper. Why, atany rate, had he not called her his dearest Lily? Why had he notassured her that he was ever her own? Such expressions, meaning somuch, may be conveyed in a glance of the pen. "Ah, " she said, "if heknew how I hunger and thirst after his love!"

She had but a moment left to her before she must join her mother andsister, and she used that moment in remembering her promise. "I knowit is all right, " she said to herself. "He does not think of thesethings as I do. He had to write at the last moment, --as he wasleaving his office. " And then with a quiet, smiling face, she walkedinto the breakfast-parlour. 

"What does he say, Lily?" asked Bell. 

"What would you give to know?" said Lily. 

"I wouldn't give twopence for the whole of it, " said Bell. 

"When you get anybody to write to you letters, I wonder whetheryou'll show them to everybody?"

"But if there's any special London news, I suppose we might hear it, "said Mrs Dale. 

"But suppose there's no special London news, mamma. The poor man hadonly been in town one day, you know: and there never is any news atthis time of the year. "

"Had he seen Uncle Christopher?"

"I don't think he had; but he doesn't say. We shall get all the newsfrom him when he comes. He cares much more about London news thanAdolphus does. " And then there was no more said about the letter. 

But Lily had read her two former letters over and over again at thebreakfast-table; and though she had not read them aloud, she hadrepeated many words out of them, and had so annotated upon them thather mother, who had heard her, could have almost re-written them. Now, she did not even show the paper; and then her absence, duringwhich she had read the letter, had hardly exceeded a minute or two. All this Mrs Dale observed, and she knew that her daughter had beenagain disappointed. 

In fact that day Lily was very serious, but she did not appear to beunhappy. Early after breakfast Bell went over to the parsonage, andMrs Dale and her youngest daughter sat together over their work. "Mamma, " she said, "I hope you and I are not to be divided when I goto live in London. "

"We shall never be divided in heart, my love. "

"Ah, but that will not be enough for happiness, though perhaps enoughto prevent absolute unhappiness. I shall want to see you, touch you, and pet you as I do now. " And she came and knelt on the cushion ather mother's feet. 

"You will have some one else to caress and pet, --perhaps manyothers. "

"Do you mean to say that you are going to throw me off, mamma?"

"God forbid, my darling. It is not mothers that throw off theirchildren. What shall I have left when you and Bell are gone from me?"

"But we will never be gone. That's what I mean. We are to be just thesame to you always, even though we are married. I must have my rightto be here as much as I have it now; and, in return, you shall haveyour right to be there. His house must be a home to you, --not a coldplace which you may visit now and again, with your best clothes on. You know what I mean, when I say that we must not be divided. "

"But Lily--"

"Well, mamma?"

"I have no doubt we shall be happy together, --you and I. "

"But you were going to say more than that. "

"Only this, --that your house will be his house, and will be fullwithout me. A daughter's marriage is always a painful parting. "

"Is it, mamma?"

"Not that I would have it otherwise than it is. Do not think that Iwould wish to keep you at home with me. Of course you will both marryand leave me. I hope that he to whom you are going to devote yourselfmay be spared to love you and protect you. " Then the widow's heartbecame too full, and she put away her child from her that she mighthide her face. 

"Mamma, mamma, I wish I was not going from you. "

"No, Lily; do not say that. I should not be contented with life if Idid not see both my girls married. I think that it is the only lotwhich can give to a woman perfect content and satisfaction. I wouldhave you both married. I should be the most selfish being alive if Iwished otherwise. "

"Bell will settle herself near you, and then you will see more of herand love her better than you do me. "

"I shall not love her better. "

"I wish she would marry some London man, and then you would come withus, and be near to us. Do you know, mamma, I sometimes think youdon't like this place here. "

"Your uncle has been very kind to give it to us. "

"I know he has; and we have been very happy here. But if Bell shouldleave you--"

"Then should I go also. Your uncle has been very kind, but Isometimes feel that his kindness is a burden which I should not bestrong enough to bear solely on my own shoulders. And what shouldkeep me here, then?" Mrs Dale as she said this felt that the "here"of which she spoke extended beyond the limits of the home which sheheld through the charity of her brother-in-law. Might not all theworld, far as she was concerned in it, be contained in that "here"?How was she to live if both her children should be taken away fromher? She had already realised the fact that Crosbie's house couldnever be a home to her, --never even a temporary home. Her visitsthere must be of that full-dressed nature to which Lily had alluded. It was impossible that she could explain this to Lily. She would notprophesy that the hero of her girl's heart would be inhospitableto his wife's mother; but such had been her reading of Crosbie'scharacter. Alas, alas, as matters were to go, his hospitality orinhospitality would be matter of small moment to them. 

Again in the afternoon the two sisters were together, and Lily wasstill more serious than her wont. It might almost have been gatheredfrom her manner that this marriage of hers was about to take place atonce, and that she was preparing to leave her home. "Bell, " she said, "I wonder why Dr Crofts never comes to see us now?"

"It isn't a month since he was here, at our party. "

"A month! But there was a time when he made some pretext for beinghere every other day. "

"Yes, when mamma was ill. "

"Ay, and since mamma was well, too. But I suppose I must not breakthe promise you made me give you. He's not to be talked about evenyet, is he?"

"I didn't say he was not to be talked about. You know what I meant, Lily; and what I meant then, I mean now. "

"And how long will it be before you mean something else? I do hope itwill come some day, --I do indeed. "

"It never will, Lily. I once fancied that I cared for Dr Crofts, butit was only fancy. I know it, because--" She was going to explainthat her knowledge on that point was assured to her, because sincethat day she had felt that she might have learned to love anotherman. But that other man had been Mr Crosbie, and so she stoppedherself. 

"I wish he would come and ask you himself. "

"He will never do so. He would never ask such a question withoutencouragement, and I shall give him none. Nor will he ever think ofmarrying till he can do so without--without what he thinks to beimprudence as regards money. He has courage enough to be poor himselfwithout unhappiness, but he has not courage to endure poverty with awife. I know well what his feelings are. "

"Well, we shall see, " said Lily. "I shouldn't wonder if you weremarried first now, Bell. For my part I'm quite prepared to wait forthree years. "

Late on that evening the squire returned to Allington, Bernard havingdriven over to meet him at the station. He had telegraphed to hisnephew that he would be back by a late train, and no more than thishad been heard from him since he went. On that day Bernard had seennone of the ladies at the Small House. With Bell at the presentmoment it was impossible that he should be on easy terms. He couldnot meet her alone without recurring to the one special subject ofinterest between them, and as to that he did not choose to speakwithout much forethought. He had not known himself, when he had goneabout his wooing so lightly, thinking it a slight thing, whether orno he might be accepted. Now it was no longer a slight thing to him. I do not know that it was love that made him so eager; not good, honest, downright love. But he had set his heart upon the object, andwith the wilfulness of a Dale was determined that it should be his. He had no remotest idea of giving up his cousin, but he had at lastpersuaded himself that she was not to be won without some toil, andperhaps also some delay. 

Nor had he been in a humour to talk either to Mrs Dale or to Lily. Hefeared that Lady Julia's news was true, --that at any rate there mightbe in it something of truth; and while thus in doubt he could notgo down to the Small House. So he hung about the place by himself, with a cigar in his mouth, fearing that something evil was going tohappen, and when the message came for him, almost shuddered as heseated himself in the gig. What would it become him to do in thisemergency if Crosbie had truly been guilty of the villainy with whichLady Julia had charged him? Thirty years ago he would have called theman out, and shot at him till one of them was hit. Nowadays it washardly possible for a man to do that; and yet what would the worldsay of him if he allowed such an injury as this to pass withoutvengeance?

His uncle, as he came forth from the station with his travelling-bagin his hand, was stern, gloomy, and silent. He came out and took hisplace in the gig almost without speaking. There were strangers about, and therefore his nephew at first could ask no question, but as thegig turned the corner out of the station-house yard he demanded thenews. 

"What have you heard?" he said. 

But even then the squire did not answer at once. He shook his head, and turned away his face, as though he did not choose to beinterrogated. 

"Have you seen him, sir?" asked Bernard. 

"No, he has not dared to see me. "

"Then it is true?"

"True?--yes, it is all true. Why did you bring the scoundrel here? Ithas been your fault. "

"No, sir; I must contradict that. I did not know him for ascoundrel. "

"But it was your duty to have known him before you brought him hereamong them. Poor girl! how is she to be told?"

"Then she does not know it?"

"I fear not. Have you seen them?"

"I saw them yesterday, and she did not know it then; she may haveheard it to-day. "

"I don't think so. I believe he has been too great a coward to writeto her. A coward indeed! How can any man find the courage to writesuch a letter as that?"

By degrees the squire told his tale. How he had gone to Lady Julia, had made his way to London, had tracked Crosbie to his club, and hadthere learned the whole truth from Crosbie's friend, Fowler Pratt, wealready know. "The coward escaped me while I was talking to the manhe sent down, " said the squire. "It was a concerted plan, and I thinkhe was right. I should have brained him in the hall of the club. "On the following morning Pratt had called upon him at his inn withCrosbie's apology. "His apology!" said the squire. "I have it in mypocket. Poor reptile; wretched worm of a man! I cannot understandit. On my honour, Bernard, I do not understand it. I think men arechanged since I knew much of them. It would have been impossible forme to write such a letter as that. " He went on telling how Pratt hadbrought him this letter, and had stated that Crosbie declined aninterview. "The gentleman had the goodness to assure me that no goodcould come from such a meeting. 'You mean, ' I answered, 'that Icannot touch pitch and not be defiled!' He acknowledged that the manwas pitch. Indeed, he could not say a word for his friend. "

"I know Pratt. He is a gentleman. I am sure he would not excuse him. "

"Excuse him! How could any one excuse him? Words could not be foundto excuse him. " And then he sat silent for some half mile. "On myhonour, Bernard, I can hardly yet bring myself to believe it. It isso new to me. It makes me feel that the world is changed, and that itis no longer worth a man's while to live in it. "

"And he is engaged to this other girl?"

"Oh, yes; with the full consent of the family. It is all arranged, and the settlements, no doubt, in the lawyer's hands by this time. Hemust have gone away from here determined to throw her over. Indeed, I don't suppose he ever meant to marry her. He was just passing awayhis time here in the country. "

"He meant it up to the time of his leaving. "

"I don't think it. Had he found me able and willing to give her afortune he might, perhaps, have married her. But I don't think hemeant it for a moment after I told him that she would have nothing. Well, here we are. I may truly say that I never before came back tomy own house with so sore a heart. "

They sat silently over their supper, the squire showing more opensorrow than might have been expected from his character. "What amI to say to them in the morning?" he repeated over and over again. "How am I to do it? And if I tell the mother, how is she to tell herchild?"

"Do you think that he has given no intimation of his purpose?"

"As far as I can tell, none. That man Pratt knew that he had not doneso yesterday afternoon. I asked him what were the intentions of hisblackguard friend, and he said that he did not know--that Crosbiewould probably have written to me. Then he brought me this letter. There it is, " and the squire threw the letter over the table; "readit and let me have it back. He thinks probably that the trouble isnow over as far as he is concerned. "

It was a vile letter to have written--not because the language wasbad, or the mode of expression unfeeling, or the facts falselystated--but because the thing to be told was in itself so vile. There are deeds which will not bear a gloss, --sins as to which theperpetrator cannot speak otherwise than as a reptile; circumstanceswhich change a man and put upon him the worthlessness of vermin. Crosbie had struggled hard to write it, going home to do it after hislast interview on that night with Pratt. But he had sat moodily inhis chair at his lodgings, unable to take the pen in his hand. Prattwas to come to him at his office on the following morning, and hewent to bed resolving that he would write it at his desk. On the nextday Pratt was there before a word of it had been written. 

"I can't stand this kind of thing, " said Pratt. "If you mean me totake it, you must write it at once. " Then, with inward groaning, Crosbie sat himself at his table, and the words at last wereforthcoming. Such words as they were! "I know that I can have noexcuse to make to you, --or to her. But, circumstanced as I now am, the truth is the best. I feel that I should not make Miss Dale happy;and, therefore, as an honest man, I think I best do my duty byrelinquishing the honour which she and you had proposed for me. "There was more of it, but we all know of what words such letters arecomposed, and how men write when they feel themselves constrained towrite as reptiles. 

"As an honest man!" repeated the squire. "On my honour, Bernard, as agentleman, I do not understand it. I cannot believe it possible thatthe man who wrote that letter was sitting the other day as a guest atmy table. "

"What are we to do to him?" said Bernard, after a while. 

"Treat him as you would a rat. Throw your stick at him, if he comesunder your feet; but beware, above all things, that he does not getinto your house. That is too late for us now. "

"There must be more than that, uncle. "

"I don't know what more. There are deeds for committing which aman is doubly damned, because he has screened himself from overtpunishment by the nature of his own villainy. We have to rememberLily's name, and do what may best tend to her comfort. Poor girl!poor girl!"

Then they were silent, till the squire rose and took his bed candle. "Bernard, " he said, "let my sister-in-law know early to-morrow thatI will see her here, if she will be good enough to come to me afterbreakfast. Do not have anything else said at the Small House. It maybe that he has written to-day. "

Then the squire went to bed, and Bernard sat over the dining-roomfire, meditating on it all. How would the world expect that he shouldbehave to Crosbie? and what should he do when he met Crosbie at theclub?

CHAPTER XXVIII

The Board

Crosbie, as we already know, went to his office in Whitehall on themorning after his escape from Sebright's, at which establishment heleft the Squire of Allington in conference with Fowler Pratt. He hadseen Fowler Pratt again that same night, and the course of the storywill have shown what took place at that interview. 

He went early to his office, knowing that he had before him the workof writing two letters, neither of which would run very glibly fromhis pen. One was to be his missive to the squire, to be delivered byhis friend; the other, that fatal epistle to poor Lily, which, as theday passed away, he found himself utterly unable to accomplish. Theletter to the squire he did write, under certain threats; and, as wehave seen, was considered to have degraded himself to the vermin rankof humanity by the meanness of his production. 

But on reaching his office he found that other cares awaitedhim, --cares which he would have taken much delight in bearing, hadthe state of his mind enabled him to take delight in anything. Onentering the lobby of his office, at ten o'clock, he became awarethat he was received by the messengers assembled there with almostmore than their usual deference. He was always a great man atthe General Committee Office; but there are shades of greatnessand shades of deference, which, though quite beyond the powersof definition, nevertheless manifest themselves clearly to theexperienced ear and eye. He walked through to his own apartment, andthere found two official letters addressed to him lying on his table. The first which came to hand, though official, was small, and markedprivate, and it was addressed in the handwriting of his old friend, Butterwell, the outgoing secretary. "I shall see you in the morning, nearly as soon as you get this, " said the semi-official note; "but Imust be the first to congratulate you on the acquisition of my oldshoes. They will be very easy in the wearing to you, though theypinched my corns a little at first. I dare say they want new soling, and perhaps they are a little down at the heels; but you will findsome excellent cobbler to make them all right, and will give them agrace in the wearing which they have sadly lacked since they cameinto my possession. I wish you much joy with them, " &c. , &c. Hethen opened the larger official letter, but that had now but littleinterest for him. He could have made a copy of the contents withoutseeing them. The Board of Commissioners had had great pleasure inpromoting him to the office of secretary, vacated by the promotion ofMr Butterwell to a seat at their own Board; and then the letter wassigned by Mr Butterwell himself. 

How delightful to him would have been this welcome on his return tohis office had his heart in other respects been free from care! Andas he thought of this, he remembered all Lily's charms. He toldhimself how much she excelled the noble scion of the de Courcy stock, with whom he was now destined to mate himself; how the bride he hadrejected excelled the one he had chosen in grace, beauty, faith, freshness, and all feminine virtues. If he could only wipe out thelast fortnight from the facts of his existence! But fortnights suchas those are not to be wiped out, --not even with many sorrowful yearsof tedious scrubbing. 

And at this moment it seemed to him as though all those impedimentswhich had frightened him when he had thought of marrying Lily Dalewere withdrawn. That which would have been terrible with seven oreight hundred a year, would have been made delightful with twelve orthirteen. Why had his fate been so unkind to him? Why had not thispromotion come to him but one fortnight earlier? Why had it not beendeclared before he had made his visit to that terrible castle? Heeven said to himself that if he had positively known the fact beforePratt had seen Mr Dale, he would have sent a different message to thesquire, and would have braved the anger of all the race of the deCourcys. But in that he lied to himself, and he knew that he did so. An earl, in his imagination, was hedged by so strong a divinity, thathis treason towards Alexandrina could do no more than peep at whatit would. It had been considered but little by him, when the projectfirst offered itself to his mind, to jilt the niece of a small ruralsquire; but it was not in him to jilt the daughter of a countess. 

That house full of babies in St. John's Wood appeared to him nowunder a very different guise from that which it wore as he sat in hisroom at Courcy Castle on the evening of his arrival there. Then suchan establishment had to him the flavour of a graveyard. It was asthough he were going to bury himself alive. Now that it was out ofhis reach, he thought of it as a paradise upon earth. And then heconsidered what sort of a paradise Lady Alexandrina would make forhim. It was astonishing how ugly was the Lady Alexandrina, how old, how graceless, how destitute of all pleasant charm, seen through thespectacles which he wore at the present moment. 

During his first hour at the office he did nothing. One or two of theyounger clerks came in and congratulated him with much heartiness. Hewas popular at his office, and they had got a step by his promotion. Then he met one or two of the elder clerks, and was congratulatedwith much less heartiness. "I suppose it's all right, " said one bluffold gentleman. "My time is gone by, I know. I married too early to beable to wear a good coat when I was young, and I never was acquaintedwith any lords or lords' families. " The sting of this was the sharperbecause Crosbie had begun to feel how absolutely useless to him hadbeen all that high interest and noble connection which he had formed. He had really been promoted because he knew more about his work thanany of the other men, and Lady de Courcy's influential relation atthe India Board had not yet even had time to write a note upon thesubject. 

At eleven Mr Butterwell came into Crosbie's room, and the newsecretary was forced to clothe himself in smiles. Mr Butterwell wasa pleasant, handsome man of about fifty, who had never yet set theThames on fire, and had never attempted to do so. He was perhaps alittle more civil to great men and a little more patronising to thosebelow him than he would have been had he been perfect. But there wassomething frank and English even in his mode of bowing before themighty ones, and to those who were not mighty he was rather too civilthan either stern or supercilious. He knew that he was not veryclever, but he knew also how to use those who were clever. He seldommade any mistake, and was very scrupulous not to tread on men'scorns. Though he had no enemies, yet he had a friend or two; and wemay therefore say of Mr Butterwell that he had walked his path inlife discreetly. At the age of thirty-five he had married a lady withsome little fortune, and now he lived a pleasant, easy, smiling lifein a villa at Putney. When Mr Butterwell heard, as he often did hear, of the difficulty which an English gentleman has of earning his breadin his own country, he was wont to look back on his own career withsome complacency. He knew that he had not given the world much; yethe had received largely, and no one had begrudged it to him. "Tact, "Mr Butterwell used to say to himself, as he walked along the paths ofhis Putney villa. "Tact. Tact. Tact. "

"Crosbie, " he said, as he entered the room cheerily, "I congratulateyou with all my heart. I do, indeed. You have got the step early inlife, and you deserve it thoroughly;--much better than I did when Iwas appointed to the same office. "

"Oh, no, " said Crosbie, gloomily. 

"But I say, oh, yes. We are deuced lucky to have such a man, and so Itold the commissioners. "

"I'm sure I'm very much obliged to you. "

"I've known it all along, --before you left even. Sir Raffle Bufflehad told me he was to go to the Income-tax Office. The chair is twothousand there, you know; and I had been promised the first seat atthe Board. "

"Ah;--I wish I'd known, " said Crosbie. 

"You are much better as you are, " said Butterwell. "There's nopleasure like a surprise! Besides, one knows a thing of that kind, and yet doesn't know it. I don't mind saying now that I knewit, --swearing that I knew it, --but I wouldn't have said so to aliving being the day before yesterday. There are such slips betweenthe cups and the lips. Suppose Sir Raffle had not gone to theIncome-tax!"

"Exactly so, " said Crosbie. 

"But it's all right now. Indeed I sat at the Board yesterday, thoughI signed the letter afterwards. I'm not sure that I don't lose morethan I gain. "

"What! with three hundred a year more and less work?"

"Ah, but look at the interest of the thing. The secretary seeseverything and knows everything. But I'm getting old, and, as yousay, the lighter work will suit me. By-the-by, will you come down toPutney to-morrow? Mrs Butterwell will be delighted to see the newsecretary. There's nobody in town now, so you can have no ground forrefusing. "

But Mr Crosbie did find some ground for refusing. It would have beenimpossible for him to have sat and smiled at Mrs Butterwell's tablein his present frame of mind. In a mysterious, half-explanatorymanner, he let Mr Butterwell know that private affairs of importancemade it absolutely necessary that he should remain that evening intown. "And indeed, " as he said, "he was not his own master justat present. " "By-the-by, --of course not. I had quite forgotten tocongratulate you on that head. So you're going to be married? Well;I'm very glad, and hope you'll be as lucky as I have been. "

"Thank you, " said Crosbie, again rather gloomily. 

"A young lady from near Guestwick, isn't it; or somewhere in thoseparts?"

"N--no, " stammered Crosbie. "The lady comes from Barsetshire. "

"Why, I heard the name. Isn't she a Bell, or Tait, or Ball, or somesuch name as that?"

"No, " said Crosbie, assuming what boldness he could command. "Hername is de Courcy. "

"One of the earl's daughters?"

"Yes, " said Crosbie. 

"Oh, I beg your pardon. I'd heard wrong. You're going to be alliedto a very noble family, and I am heartily glad to hear of yoursuccess in life. " Then Butterwell shook him very cordially by thehand, --having offered him no such special testimony of approval whenunder the belief that he was going to marry a Bell, a Tait, or aBall. All the same, Mr Butterwell began to think that there wassomething wrong. He had heard from an indubitable source that Crosbiehad engaged himself to a niece of a squire with whom he had beenstaying near Guestwick, --a girl without any money; and Mr Butterwell, in his wisdom, had thought his friend Crosbie to be rather a fool forhis pains. But now he was going to marry one of the de Courcys! MrButterwell was rather at his wits' ends. 

"Well; we shall be sitting at two, you know, and of course you'llcome to us. If you're at leisure before that I'll make over whatpapers I have to you. I've not been a Lord Eldon in my office, andthey won't break your back. "

Immediately after that Fowler Pratt had been shown into Crosbie'sroom, and Crosbie had written the letter to the squire under Pratt'seye. 

He could take no joy in his promotion. When Pratt left him he triedto lighten his heart. He endeavoured to throw Lily and her wrongsbehind him, and fix his thoughts on his advancing successes in life;but he could not do it. A self-imposed trouble will not allow itselfto be banished. If a man lose a thousand pounds by a friend's fault, or by a turn in the wheel of fortune, he can, if he be a man, put hisgrief down and trample it under foot; he can exorcise the spirit ofhis grievance, and bid the evil one depart from out of his house. But such exorcism is not to be used when the sorrow has come from aman's own folly and sin;--especially not if it has come from his ownselfishness. Such are the cases which make men drink; which drivethem on to the avoidance of all thought; which create gamblers andreckless prodigals; which are the promoters of suicide. How could heavoid writing this letter to Lily? He might blow his brains out, andso let there be an end of it all. It was to such reflections that hecame, when he sat himself down endeavouring to reap satisfaction fromhis promotion. 

But Crosbie was not a man to commit suicide. In giving him his due Imust protest that he was too good for that. He knew too well that apistol-bullet could not be the be-all and the end-all here, and therewas too much manliness in him for so cowardly an escape. The burdenmust be borne. But how was he to bear it? There he sat till it wastwo o'clock, neglecting Mr Butterwell and his office papers, andnot stirring from his seat till a messenger summoned him before theBoard. The Board, as he entered the room, was not such a Board asthe public may, perhaps, imagine such Boards to be. There was around table, with a few pens lying about, and a comfortable leathernarm-chair at the side of it, farthest from the door. Sir RaffleBuffle was leaving his late colleagues, and was standing with hisback to the fire-place, talking very loudly. Sir Raffle was a greatbully, and the Board was uncommonly glad to be rid of him; but asthis was to be his last appearance at the Committee Office, theysubmitted to his voice meekly. Mr Butterwell was standing close tohim, essaying to laugh mildly at Sir Raffle's jokes. A little man, hardly more than five feet high, with small but honest-looking eyes, and close-cut hair, was standing behind the arm-chair, rubbing hishands together, and longing for the departure of Sir Raffle, in orderthat he might sit down. This was Mr Optimist, the new chairman, inpraise of whose appointment the _Daily Jupiter_ had been so loud, declaring that the present Minister was showing himself superiorto all Ministers who had ever gone before him, in giving promotionsolely on the score of merit. The _Daily Jupiter_, a fortnight since, had published a very eloquent article, strongly advocating the claimsof Mr Optimist, and was naturally pleased to find that its advice hadbeen taken. Has not an obedient Minister a right to the praise ofthose powers which he obeys?

Mr Optimist was, in truth, an industrious little gentleman, very wellconnected, who had served the public all his life, and who was, atany rate, honest in his dealings. Nor was he a bully, such as hispredecessor. It might, however, be a question whether he carried gunsenough for the command in which he was now to be employed. Therewas but one other member of the Board, Major Fiasco by name, adiscontented, broken-hearted, silent man, who had been sent to theGeneral Committee Office some few years before because he was notwanted anywhere else. He was a man who had intended to do greatthings when he entered public life, and had possessed the talentand energy for things moderately great. He had also possessed to acertain extent the ear of those high in office; but, in some way, matters had not gone well with him, and in running his course he hadgone on the wrong side of the post. He was still in the prime oflife, and yet all men knew that Major Fiasco had nothing further toexpect from the public or from the Government. Indeed, there were notwanting those who said that Major Fiasco was already in receipt of aliberal income, for which he gave no work in return; that he merelyfilled a chair for four hours a day four or five days a week, signinghis name to certain forms and documents, reading, or pretending toread, certain papers, but, in truth, doing no good. Major Fiasco, onthe other hand, considered himself to be a deeply injured individual, and he spent his life in brooding over his wrongs. He believed nowin nothing and in nobody. He had begun public life striving to behonest, and he now regarded all around him as dishonest. He had nosatisfaction in any man other than that which he found when someevent would show to him that this or that other compeer of his ownhad proved himself to be self-interested, false, or fraudulent. "Don't tell me, Butterwell, " he would say--for with Mr Butterwellhe maintained some semi-official intimacy, and he would take thatgentleman by the button-hole, holding him close. "Don't tell me. Iknow what men are. I've seen the world. I've been looking at thingswith my eyes open. I knew what he was doing. " And then he wouldtell of the sly deed of some official known well to them both, notdenouncing it by any means, but affecting to take it for grantedthat the man in question was a rogue. Butterwell would shrug hisshoulders, and laugh gently, and say that, upon his word, he didn'tthink the world so bad as Fiasco made it out to be. 

Nor did he; for Butterwell believed in many things. He believed inhis Putney villa on this earth, and he believed also that he mightachieve some sort of Putney villa in the world beyond withoutundergoing present martyrdom. His Putney villa first, with all itsattendant comforts, and then his duty to the public afterwards. Itwas thus that Mr Butterwell regulated his conduct; and as he wassolicitous that the villa should be as comfortable a home to his wifeas to himself, and that it should be specially comfortable to hisfriends, I do not think that we need quarrel with his creed. 

Mr Optimist believed in everything, but especially he believed inthe Prime Minister, in the _Daily Jupiter_, in the General CommitteeOffice, and in himself. He had long thought that everything wasnearly right; but now that he himself was chairman at the GeneralCommittee Office, he was quite sure that everything must be right. In Sir Raffle Buffle, indeed, he had never believed; and now it was, perhaps, the greatest joy of his life that he should never again becalled upon to hear the tones of that terrible knight's hated voice. 

Seeing who were the components of the new Board, it may be presumedthat Crosbie would look forward to enjoying a not uninfluentialposition in his office. There were, indeed, some among the clerks whodid not hesitate to say that the new secretary would have it prettynearly all his own way. As for "Old Opt, " there would be, they said, no difficulty about him. Only tell him that such and such a decisionwas his own, and he would be sure to believe the teller. Butterwellwas not fond of work, and had been accustomed to lean upon Crosbiefor many years. As for Fiasco, he would be cynical in words, butwholly indifferent in deed. If the whole office were made to go tothe mischief, Fiasco, in his own grim way, would enjoy the confusion. 

"Wish you joy, Crosbie, " said Sir Raffle, standing up on the rug, waiting for the new secretary to go up to him and shake hands. ButSir Raffle was going, and the new secretary did not indulge him. 

"Thank ye, Sir Raffle, " said Crosbie, without going near the rug. 

"Mr Crosbie, I congratulate you most sincerely, " said Mr Optimist. "Your promotion has been the result altogether of your own merit. Youhave been selected for the high office which you are now called uponto fill solely because it has been thought that you are the most fitman to perform the onerous duties attached to it. Hum-hum-ha. As, regards my share in the recommendation which we found ourselvesbound to submit to the Treasury, I must say that I never felt lesshesitation in my life, and I believe I may declare as much as regardsthe other members of the Board. " And Mr Optimist looked around himfor approving words. He had come forward from his standing groundbehind his chair to welcome Crosbie, and had shaken his handcordially. Fiasco also had risen from his seat, and had assuredCrosbie in a whisper that he had feathered his nest uncommon well. Then he had sat down again. 

"Indeed you may, as far as I am concerned, " said Butterwell. 

"I told the Chancellor of the Exchequer, " said Sir Raffle, speakingvery loud and with much authority, "that unless he had somefirst-rate man to send from elsewhere I could name a fittingcandidate. 'Sir Raffle, ' he said, 'I mean to keep it in the office, and therefore shall be glad of your opinion. ' 'In that case, MrChancellor, ' said I, 'Mr Crosbie must be the man. ' 'Mr Crosbie shallbe the man, ' said the Chancellor. And Mr Crosbie is the man. "

"Your friend Sark spoke to Lord Brock about it, " said Fiasco. Now theEarl of Sark was a young nobleman of much influence at the presentmoment, and Lord Brock was the Prime Minister. "You should thank LordSark. "

"Had as much to do with it as if my footman had spoken, " said SirRaffle. 

"I am very much obliged to the Board for their good opinion, " saidCrosbie, gravely. "I am obliged to Lord Sark as well, --and also toyour footman, Sir Raffle, if, as you seem to say, he has interestedhimself in my favour. "

"I didn't say anything of the kind, " said Sir Raffle. "I thoughtit right to make you understand that it was my opinion, given, ofcourse, officially, which prevailed with the Chancellor of theExchequer. Well, gentlemen, as I shall be wanted in the city, I willsay good morning to you. Is my carriage ready, Boggs?" Upon which theattendant messenger opened the door, and the great Sir Raffle Buffletook his final departure from the scene of his former labours. 

"As to the duties of your new office"--and Mr Optimist continued hisspeech, taking no other notice of the departure of his enemy thanwhat was indicated by an increased brightness of his eye and a moresatisfactory tone of voice--"you will find yourself quite familiarwith them. "

"Indeed he will, " said Butterwell. 

"And I am quite sure that you will perform them with equal creditto yourself, satisfaction to the department, and advantage to thepublic. We shall always be glad to have your opinion on any subjectof importance that may come before us; and as regards the internaldiscipline of the office, we feel that we may leave it safely in yourhands. In any matter of importance you will, of course, consult us, and I feel very confident that we shall go on together with greatcomfort and with mutual confidence. " Then Mr Optimist looked at hisbrother commissioners, sat down in his arm-chair, and taking in hishands some papers before him, began the routine business of the day. 

It was nearly five o'clock when, on this special occasion, thesecretary returned from the board-room to his own office. Not for amoment had the weight been off his shoulders while Sir Raffle hadbeen bragging or Mr Optimist making his speech. He had been thinking, not of them, but of Lily Dale; and though they had not discovered histhoughts, they had perceived that he was hardly like himself. 

"I never saw a man so little elated by good fortune in my life, " saidMr Optimist. 

"Ah, he's got something on his mind, " said Butterwell. "He's going tobe married, I believe. "

"If that's the case, it's no wonder he shouldn't be elated, " saidMajor Fiasco, who was himself a bachelor. 

When in his own room again, Crosbie at once seized on a sheet ofnote-paper, as though by hurrying himself on with it he could getthat letter to Allington written. But though the paper was beforehim, and the pen in his hand, the letter did not, would not, getitself written. With what words was he to begin it? To whom should itbe written? How was he to declare himself the villain which he hadmade himself? The letters from his office were taken away every nightshortly after six, and at six o'clock he had not written a word. "Iwill do it at home to-night, " he said, to himself, and then, tearingoff a scrap of paper, he scratched those few lines which Lilyreceived, and which she had declined to communicate to her mother orsister. Crosbie, as he wrote them, conceived that they would in someway prepare the poor girl for the coming blow, --that they would, atany rate, make her know that all was not right; but in so supposinghe had not counted on the constancy of her nature, nor had he thoughtof the promise which she had given him that nothing should make herdoubt him. He wrote the scrap, and then taking his hat walked offthrough the gloom of the November evening up Charing Cross and St. Martin's Lane, towards the Seven Dials and Bloomsbury into regionsof the town with which he had no business, and which he neverfrequented. He hardly knew where he went or wherefore. How was heto escape from the weight of the burden which was now crushinghim? It seemed to him as though he would change his position withthankfulness for that of the junior clerk in his office, if only thatjunior clerk had upon his mind no such betrayal of trust as that ofwhich he was guilty. 

At half-past seven he found himself at Sebright's, and there hedined. A man will dine, even though his heart be breaking. Then hegot into a cab, and had himself taken home to Mount Street. Duringhis walk he had sworn to himself that he would not go to bed thatnight till the letter was written and posted. It was twelve beforethe first words were marked on the paper, and yet he kept his oath. Between two and three, in the cold moonlight, he crawled out anddeposited his letter in the nearest post-office. 

CHAPTER XXIX

John Eames Returns to Burton Crescent

John Eames and Crosbie returned to town on the same day. It will beremembered how Eames had assisted Lord De Guest in the matter of thebull, and how great had been the earl's gratitude on the occasion. The memory of this, and the strong encouragement which he receivedfrom his mother and sister for having made such a friend by hisgallantry, lent some slight satisfaction to his last hours at home. But his two misfortunes were too serious to allow of anything likereal happiness. He was leaving Lily behind him, engaged to be marriedto a man whom he hated, and he was returning to Burton Crescent, where he would have to face Amelia Roper, --Amelia either in her rageor in her love. The prospect of Amelia in her rage was very terribleto him; but his greatest fear was of Amelia in her love. He had inhis letter declined matrimony; but what if she talked down all hisobjections, and carried him off to church in spite of himself!

When he reached London and got into a cab with his portmanteau, hecould hardly fetch up courage to bid the man drive him to BurtonCrescent. "I might as well go to an hotel for the night, " he said tohimself, "and then I can learn how things are going on from Cradellat the office. " Nevertheless, he did give the direction to BurtonCrescent, and when it was once given felt ashamed to change it. But, as he was driven up to the well-known door, his heart was so lowwithin him that he might almost be said to have lost it. When thecabman demanded whether he should knock, he could not answer; andwhen the maid-servant at the door greeted him, he almost ran away. 

"Who's at home?" said he, asking the question in a very low voice. 

"There's missus, " said the girl, "and Miss Spruce, and Mrs Lupex. He's away somewhere, in his tantrums again; and there's Mr--"

"Is Miss Roper here?" he said, still whispering. 

"Oh, yes! Miss Mealyer's here, " said the girl, speaking in a cruellyloud voice. "She was in the dining-room just now, putting out thetable. Miss Mealyer!" And the girl, as she called out the name, opened the dining-room door. Johnny Eames felt that his knees weretoo weak to support him. 

But Miss Mealyer was not in the dining-room. She had perceived theadvancing cab of her sworn adorer, and had thought it expedient toretreat from her domestic duties, and fortify herself among herbrushes and ribbons. Had it been possible that she should know howvery weak and cowardly was the enemy against whom she was called uponto put herself in action, she might probably have fought her battlesomewhat differently, and have achieved a speedy victory, at the costof an energetic shot or two. But she did not know. She thought itprobable that she might obtain power over him and manage him; but itdid not occur to her that his legs were so weak beneath him that shemight almost blow him over with a breath. None but the worst and mostheartless of women know the extent of their own power over men;--asnone but the worst and most heartless of men know the extent of theirpower over women. Amelia Roper was not a good specimen of the femalesex, but there were worse women than her. 

"She ain't there, Mr Eames; but you'll see her in the drawen-room, "said the girl. "And it's she'll be glad to see you back again, Mr Eames. " But he scrupulously passed the door of the upstairssitting-room, not even looking within it, and contrived to gethimself into his own chamber without having encountered anybody. "Here's yer 'ot water, Mr Eames, " said the girl, coming up to himafter an interval of half-an-hour, "and dinner'll be on the tablein ten minutes. Mr Cradell is come in, and so is missus's son. "

It was still open to him to go out and dine at some eating-house inthe Strand. He could start out, leaving word that he was engaged, and so postpone the evil hour. He had almost made up his mind to doso, and certainly would have done it, had not the sitting-room dooropened as he was on the landing-place. The door opened, and he foundhimself confronting the assembled company. First came Cradell, andleaning on his arm, I regret to say, was Mrs Lupex--_Egyptia conjux!_Then there came Miss Spruce with young Roper; Amelia and her motherbrought up the rear together. There was no longer question of flightnow; and poor Eames, before he knew what he was doing, was carrieddown into the dining-room with the rest of the company. They were allglad to see him, and welcomed him back warmly, but he was so muchbeside himself that he could not ascertain whether Amelia's voicewas joined with the others. He was already seated at table, and hadbefore him a plate of soup, before he recognised the fact that hewas sitting between Mrs Roper and Mrs Lupex. The latter lady hadseparated herself from Mr Cradell as she entered the room. "Underall the circumstances perhaps it will be better for us to be apart, "she said. "A lady can't make herself too safe; can she, Mrs Roper?There's no danger between you and me, is there, Mr Eames, --speciallywhen Miss Amelia is opposite?" The last words, however, were intendedto be whispered into his ear. 

But Johnny made no answer to her; contenting himself for the momentwith wiping the perspiration from his brow. There was Amelia oppositeto him, looking at him, --the very Amelia to whom he had written, declining the honour of marrying her. Of what her mood towards himmight be, he could form no judgment from her looks. Her face wassimply stern and impassive, and she seemed inclined to eat her dinnerin silence. A slight smile of derision had passed across her face asshe heard Mrs Lupex whisper, and it might have been discerned thather nose, at the same time, became somewhat elevated; but she saidnot a word. 

"I hope you've enjoyed yourself, Mr Eames, among the vernal beautiesof the country, " said Mrs Lupex. 

"Very much, thank you, " he replied. 

"There's nothing like the country at this autumnal season of theyear. As for myself, I've never been accustomed to remain in Londonafter the breaking up of the _beau monde_. We've usually been toBroadstairs, which is a very charming place, with most elegantsociety, but now--" and she shook her head, by which all the companyknew that she intended to allude to the sins of Mr Lupex. 

"I'd never wish to sleep out of London for my part, " said Mrs Roper. "When a woman's got a house over her head, I don't think her mind'sever easy out of it. "

She had not intended any reflection on Mrs Lupex for not having ahouse of her own, but that lady immediately bristled up. "That'sjust what the snails say, Mrs Roper. And as for having a house ofone's own, it's a very good thing, no doubt, sometimes; but that'saccording to circumstances. It has suited me lately to live inlodgings, but there's no knowing whether I mayn't fall lower thanthat yet, and have--" but here she stopped herself, and looking overat Mr Cradell nodded her head. 

"And have to let them, " said Mrs Roper. "I hope you'll be more luckywith your lodgers than I have been with some of mine. Jemima, handthe potatoes to Miss Spruce. Miss Spruce, do let me send you a littlemore gravy? There's plenty here, really. " Mrs Roper was probablythinking of Mr Todgers. 

"I hope I shall, " said Mrs Lupex. "But, as I was saying, Broadstairsis delightful. Were you ever at Broadstairs, Mr Cradell?"

"Never, Mrs Lupex. I generally go abroad in my leave. One sees moreof the world, you know. I was at Dieppe last June, and found thatvery delightful--though rather lonely. I shall go to Ostend thisyear; only December is so late for Ostend. It was a deuced shame mygetting December, wasn't it, Johnny?"

"Yes, it was, " said Eames. "I managed better. "

"And what have you been doing, Mr Eames?" said Mrs Lupex, with oneof her sweetest smiles. "Whatever it may have been, you've not beenfalse to the cause of beauty, I'm sure. " And she looked over toAmelia with a knowing smile. But Amelia was engaged upon her plate, and went on with her dinner without turning her eyes either on MrsLupex or on John Eames. 

"I haven't done anything particular, " said Eames. "I've just beenstaying with my mother. "

"We've been very social here, haven't we, Miss Amelia?" continued MrsLupex. "Only now and then a cloud comes across the heavens, and thelights at the banquet are darkened. " Then she put her handkerchiefup to her eyes, sobbing deeply, and they all knew that she was againalluding to the sins of her husband. 

As soon as dinner was over the ladies with young Mr Roper retired, and Eames and Cradell were left to take their wine over thedining-room fire, --or their glass of gin and water, as it might be. "Well, Caudle, old fellow, " said one. "Well, Johnny, my boy, " saidthe other. "What's the news at the office?" said Eames. 

"Muggeridge has been playing the very mischief. " Muggeridge was thesecond clerk in Cradell's room. "We're going to put him into Coventryand not speak to him except officially. But to tell you the truth, my hands have been so full here at home, that I haven't thought muchabout the office. What am I to do about that woman?"

"Do about her? How do about her?"

"Yes; what am I to do about her? How am I to manage with her? There'sLupex off again in one of his fits of jealousy. "

"But it's not your fault, I suppose?"

"Well; I can't just say. I am fond of her, and that's the long andthe short of it; deuced fond of her. "

"But, my dear Caudle, you know she's that man's wife. "

"Oh, yes, I know all about it. I'm not going to defend myself. It'swrong, I know, --pleasant, but wrong. But what's a fellow to do? Isuppose in strict morality I ought to leave the lodgings. But, byGeorge, I don't see why a man's to be turned out in that way. Andthen I couldn't make a clean score with old mother Roper. But I say, old fellow, who gave you the gold chain?"

"Well; it was an old family friend at Guestwick; or rather, I shouldsay, a man who said he knew my father. "

"And he gave you that because he knew your governor! Is there a watchto it?"

"Yes, there's a watch. It wasn't exactly that. There was some troubleabout a bull. To tell the truth, it was Lord De Guest; the queerestfellow, Caudle, you ever met in your life; but such a trump. I've gotto go and dine with him at Christmas. " And then the old story of thebull was told. 

"I wish I could find a lord in a field with a bull, " said Cradell. We may, however, be permitted to doubt whether Mr Cradell would haveearned a watch even if he had had his wish. 

"You see, " continued Cradell, reverting, to the subject on which hemost delighted to talk, "I'm not responsible for that man'sill-conduct. "

"Does anybody say you are?"

"No; nobody says so. But people seem to think so. When he is by Ihardly speak to her. She is thoughtless and giddy as women are, andtakes my arm, and that kind of thing, you know. It makes him mad withrage, but upon my honour I don't think she means any harm. "

"I don't suppose she does, " said Eames. 

"Well; she may or she mayn't. I hope with all my heart she doesn't. "

"And where is he now?"

"This is between ourselves, you know; but she went to find him thisafternoon. Unless he gives her money she can't stay here, nor, forthe matter of that, will she be able to go away. If I mentionsomething to you, you won't tell any one?"

"Of course I won't. "

"I wouldn't have it known to any one for the world. I've lent herseven pounds ten. It's that which makes me so short with motherRoper. "

"Then I think you're a fool for your pains. "

"Ah, that's so like you. I always said you'd no feeling of realromance. If I cared for a woman I'd give her the coat off my back. "

"I'd do better than that, " said Johnny. "I'd give her the heart outof my body. I'd be chopped up alive for a girl I loved; but itshouldn't be for another man's wife. "

"That's a matter of taste. But she's been to Lupex to-day at thathouse he goes to in Drury Lane. She had a terrible scene there. Hewas going to commit suicide in the middle of the street, and shedeclares that it all comes from jealousy. Think what a time I haveof it--standing always, as one may say, on gunpowder. He may turn uphere any moment, you know. But, upon my word, for the life of me Icannot desert her. If I were to turn my back on her she wouldn'thave a friend in the world. And how's L. D. ? I'll tell you what itis--you'll have some trouble with the divine Amelia. "

"Shall I?"

"By Jove, you will. But how's L. D. All this time?"

"L. D. Is engaged to be married to a man named Adolphus Crosbie, "said poor Johnny, slowly. "If you please, we will not say any moreabout her. "

"Whew--w--w! That's what makes you so down in the mouth! L. D. Goingto marry Crosbie! Why, that's the man who is to be the new secretaryat the General Committee Office. Old Huffle Scuffle, who was theirchair, has come to us, you know. There's been a general move at theG. C. , and this Crosbie has got to be secretary. He's a lucky chap, isn't he?"

"I don't know anything about his luck. He's one of those fellows thatmake me hate them the first time I look at them. I've a sort of afeeling that I shall live to kick him some day. "

"That's the time, is it? Then I suppose Amelia will have it all herown way now. "

"I'll tell you what, Caudle. I'd sooner get up through the trap-door, and throw myself off the roof into the area, than marry AmeliaRoper. "

"Have you and she had any conversation since you came back?"

"Not a word. "

"Then I tell you fairly you've got trouble before you. Ameliaand Maria, --Mrs Lupex, I mean, --are as thick as thieves just atpresent, and they have been talking you over. Maria, --that is, MrsLupex, --lets it all out to me. You'll have to mind where you are, oldfellow. "

Eames was not inclined to discuss the matter any further, so hefinished his toddy in silence. Cradell, however, who felt that therewas something in his affairs of which he had reason to be proud, soonreturned to the story of his own very extraordinary position. "ByJove, I don't know that a man was ever so circumstanced, " he said. "She looks to me to protect her, and yet what can I do?"

At last Cradell got up, and declared that he must go to the ladies. "She's so nervous, that unless she has some one to countenance hershe becomes unwell. "

Eames declared his purpose of going to the divan, or to the theatre, or to take a walk in the streets. The smiles of beauty had no longercharms for him in Burton Crescent. 

"They'll expect you to take a cup of tea the first night, " saidCradell; but Eames declared that they might expect it. 

"I'm in no humour for it, " said he. "I'll tell you what, Cradell, Ishall leave this place, and take rooms for myself somewhere. I'llnever go into a lodging-house again. "

As he so spoke, he was standing at the dining-room door; but he wasnot allowed to escape in this easy way. Jemima, as he went out intothe passage, was there with a three-cornered note in her hand. "FromMiss Mealyer, " she said. "Miss Mealyer is in the back parlour all byherself. "

Poor Johnny took the note, and read it by the lamp over the frontdoor. 

"Are you not going to speak to me on the day of your return? Itcannot be that you will leave the house without seeing me for amoment. I am in the back parlour. "

When he had read these words, he paused in the passage, with hishat on. Jemima, who could not understand why any young man shouldhesitate as to seeing his lady-love in the back parlour alone, whispered to him again, in her audible way, "Miss Mealyer is there, sir; and all the rest on 'em's upstairs!" So compelled, Eames putdown his hat, and walked with slow steps into the back parlour. 

How was it to be with the enemy? Was he to encounter Amelia in anger, or Amelia in love? She had seemed to be stern and defiant when he hadventured to steal a look at her across the dining-table, and now heexpected that she would turn upon him with loud threatenings andprotestations as to her wrongs. But it was not so. When he enteredthe room she was standing with her back to him, leaning on themantel-piece, and at the first moment she did not essay to peak. Hewalked into the middle of the room and stood there, waiting for herto begin. 

"Shut the door!" she said, looking over her shoulder. "I suppose youdon't want the girl to hear all you've got to say to me!"

Then he shut the door; but still Amelia stood with her back to him, leaning upon the mantel-piece. 

It did not seem that he had much to say, for he remained perfectlysilent. 

"Well!" said Amelia, after a long pause, and she then again lookedover her shoulder. "Well, Mr Eames!"

"Jemima gave me your note, and so I've come, " said he. 

"And is this the way we meet!" she exclaimed, turning suddenly uponhim, and throwing her long black hair back over her shoulders. Therecertainly was some beauty about her. Her eyes were large and bright, and her shoulders were well turned. She might have done as anartist's model for a Judith, but I doubt whether any man, lookingwell into her face, could think that she would do well as a wife. "Oh, John, is it to be thus, after love such as ours?" And sheclasped her hands together, and stood before him. 

"I don't know what you mean, " said Eames. 

"If you are engaged to marry L. D. , tell me so at once. Be a man, andspeak out, sir. "

"No, " said Eames; "I am not engaged to marry the lady to whom youallude. "

"On your honour?"

"I won't have her spoken about. I'm not going to marry her, andthat's enough. "

"Do you think that I wish to speak of her? What can L. D. Be to me aslong as she is nothing to you? Oh, Johnny, why did you write me thatheartless letter?" Then she leaned upon his shoulder--or attempted todo so. 

I cannot say that Eames shook her off, seeing that he lacked thecourage to do so; but he shuffled his shoulder about so that thesupport was uneasy to her, and she was driven to stand erect again. "Why did you write that cruel letter?" she said again. 

"Because I thought it best, Amelia. What's a man to do with ninetypounds a year, you know?"

"But your mother allows you twenty. "

"And what's a man to do with a hundred and ten?"

"Rising five pounds every year, " said the well-informed Amelia. "Of course we should live here, with mamma, and you would just goon paying her as you do now. If your heart was right, Johnny, youwouldn't think so much about money. If you loved me--as you said youdid--" Then a little sob came, and the words were stopped. The wordswere stopped, but she was again upon his shoulder. What was he todo? In truth, his only wish was to escape, and yet his arm, quite inopposition to his own desires, found its way round her waist. In sucha combat a woman has so many points in her favour! "Oh, Johnny, " shesaid again, as soon as she felt the pressure of his arm. "Gracious, what a beautiful watch you've got, " and she took the trinket out ofhis pocket. "Did you buy that?"

"No; it was given to me. "

"John Eames, did L. D. Give it you?"

"No, no, no, " he shouted, stamping on the floor as he spoke. 

"Oh, I beg your pardon, " said Amelia, quelled for the moment by hisenergy. "Perhaps it was your mother. "

"No; it was a man. Never mind about the watch now. "

"I wouldn't mind anything, Johnny, if you would tell me that youloved me again. Perhaps I oughtn't to ask you, and it isn't becomingin a lady; but how can I help it, when you know you've got my heart. Come upstairs and have tea with us now, won't you?"

What was he to do? He said that he would go up and have tea; and ashe led her to the door he put down his face and kissed her. Oh, Johnny Eames! But then a woman in such a contest has so many pointsin her favour. 

CHAPTER XXX

"Is It from Him?"

I have already declared that Crosbie wrote and posted the fatalletter to Allington, and we must now follow it down to that place. On the morning following the squire's return to his own house, MrsCrump, the post-mistress at Allington, received a parcel by postdirected to herself. She opened it, and found an enclosure addressedto Mrs Dale, with a written request that she would herself deliverit into that lady's own hand at once. This was Crosbie's letter. 

"It's from Miss Lily's gentleman, " said Mrs Crump, looking at thehandwriting. "There's 'something up, or he wouldn't be writing toher mamma in this way. " But Mrs Crump lost no time in putting on herbonnet, and trudging up with the letter to the Small House. "I mustsee the missus herself, " said Mrs Crump. Whereupon Mrs Dale wascalled downstairs into the hall, and there received the packet. Lily was in the breakfast-parlour, and had seen the post-mistressarrive;--had seen also that she carried a letter in her hand. For amoment she had thought that it was for her, and imagined that theold woman had brought it herself from simple good-nature. But Lily, when she heard her mother mentioned, instantly withdrew and shut theparlour door. Her heart misgave her that something was wrong, butshe hardly tried to think what it might be. After all, the regularpostman might bring the letter she herself expected. Bell wasnot yet downstairs, and she stood alone over the tea-cups on thebreakfast-table, feeling that there was something for her to fear. Her mother did not come at once into the room, but, after a pauseof a moment or two, went again upstairs. So she remained, eitherstanding against the table, or at the window, or seated in one of thetwo arm-chairs, for a space of ten minutes, when Bell entered theroom. 

"Isn't mamma down yet?" said Bell. 

"Bell, " said Lily, "something has happened. Mamma has got a letter. "

"Happened! What has happened? Is anybody ill? Who is the letterfrom?" And Bell was going to return through the door in search of hermother. 

"Stop, Bell, " said Lily. "Do not go to her yet. I think it'sfrom--Adolphus. "

"Oh, Lily, what do you mean?"

"I don't know, dear. We'll wait a little longer. Don't look likethat, Bell. " And Lily strove to appear calm, and strove almostsuccessfully. 

"You have frightened me so, " said Bell. 

"I am frightened myself. He only sent me one line yesterday, and nowhe has sent nothing. If some misfortune should have happened to him!Mrs Crump brought down the letter herself to mamma, and that is soodd, you know. "

"Are you sure it was from him?"

"No; I have not spoken to her. I will go up to her now. Don't youcome, Bell. Oh! Bell, do not look so unhappy. " She then went over andkissed her sister, and after that, with very gentle steps, made herway up to her mother's room. "Mamma, may I come in?" she said. 

"Oh! my child!"

"I know it is from him, mamma. Tell me all at once. "

Mrs Dale had read the letter. With quick, glancing eyes, she had madeherself mistress of its whole contents, and was already aware of thenature and extent of the sorrow which had come upon them. It was asorrow that admitted of no hope. The man who had written that lettercould never return again; nor if he should return could he bewelcomed back to them. The blow had fallen, and it was to be borne. Inside the letter to herself had been a very small note addressed toLily. "Give her the enclosed, " Crosbie had said in his letter, "ifyou do not now think it wrong to do so. I have left it open, that youmay read it. " Mrs Dale, however, had not yet read it, and she nowconcealed it beneath her handkerchief. 

I will not repeat at length Crosbie's letter to Mrs Dale. It coveredfour sides of letter-paper, and was such a letter that any man whowrote it must have felt himself to be a rascal. We saw that he haddifficulty in writing it, but the miracle was, that any man couldhave found it possible to write it. "I know you will curse me, " saidhe; "and I deserve to be cursed. I know that I shall be punished forthis, and I must bear my punishment. My worst punishment will bethis, that I never more shall hold up my head again. " And then, again, he said:--"My only excuse is my conviction that I shouldnever make her happy. She has been brought up as an angel, with purethoughts, with holy hopes, with a belief in all that is good, andhigh, and noble. I have been surrounded through my whole life bythings low, and mean, and ignoble. How could I live with her, or shewith me? I know now that this is so; but my fault has been that I didnot know it when I was there with her. I choose to tell you all, " hecontinued, towards the end of the letter, "and therefore I let youknow that I have engaged myself to marry another woman. Ah! I canforesee how bitter will be your feelings when you read this: but theywill not be so bitter as mine while I write it. Yes; I am alreadyengaged to one who will suit me, and whom I may suit. You will notexpect me to speak ill of her who is to be near and dear to me. Butshe is one with whom I may mate myself without an inward convictionthat I shall destroy all her happiness by doing so. Lilian, " he said, "shall always have my prayers; and I trust that she may soon forget, in the love of an honest man, that she ever knew one so dishonestas--Adolphus Crosbie. "

Of what like must have been his countenance as he sat writing suchwords of himself under the ghastly light of his own small, solitarylamp? Had he written his letter at his office, in the day-time, withmen coming in and out of his room, he could hardly have written ofhimself so plainly. He would have bethought himself that the writtenwords might remain, and be read hereafter by other eyes than thosefor which they were intended. But, as he sat alone, during the smallhours of the night, almost repenting of his sin with true repentance, he declared to himself that he did not care who might read them. Theyshould, at any rate, be true. Now they had been read by her to whomthey had been addressed, and the daughter was standing before themother to hear her doom. 

"Tell me all at once, " Lily had said; but in what words was hermother to tell her?

"Lily, " she said, rising from her seat, and leaving the two letterson the couch; that addressed to the daughter was hidden beneath ahandkerchief, but that which she had read she left open and in sight. She took both the girl's hands in hers as she looked into her face, and spoke to her. "Lily, my child!" Then she burst into sobs, and wasunable to tell her tale. 

"Is it from him, mamma? May I read it? He cannot be--"

"It is from Mr Crosbie. "

"Is he ill, mamma? Tell me at once. If he is ill I will go to him. "

"No, my darling, he is not ill. Not yet;--do not read it yet. Oh, Lily! It brings bad news; very bad news. "

"Mamma, if he is not in danger, I can read it. Is it bad to him, oronly bad to me?"

At this moment the servant knocked, and not waiting for an answerhalf opened the door. 

"If you please, ma'am, Mr Bernard is below, and wants to speak toyou. "

"Mr Bernard! ask Miss Bell to see him. "

"Miss Bell is with him, ma'am, but he says that he specially wants tospeak to you. "

Mrs Dale felt that she could not leave Lily alone. She could not takethe letter away, nor could she leave her child with the letter open. 

"I cannot see him, " said Mrs Dale. "Ask him what it is. Tell him Icannot come down just at present. " And then the servant went, andBernard left his message with Bell. 

"Bernard, " she had said, "do you know of anything? Is there anythingwrong about Mr Crosbie?" Then, in a few words, he told her all, andunderstanding why his aunt had not come down to him, he went backto the Great House. Bell, almost stupefied by the tidings, seatedherself at the table unconsciously, leaning upon her elbows. 

"It will kill her, " she said to herself. "My Lily, my darling Lily!It will surely kill her!"

But the mother was still with the daughter, and the story was stilluntold. 

"Mamma, " said Lily, "whatever it is, I must, of course, be made toknow it. I begin to guess the truth. It will pain you to say it. Shall I read the letter?"

Mrs Dale was astonished at her calmness. It could not be that she hadguessed the truth, or she would not stand like that, with tearlesseyes and unquelled courage before her. 

"You shall read it, but I ought to tell you first. Oh, my child, myown one!" Lily was now leaning against the bed, and her mother wasstanding over her, caressing her. 

"Then tell me, " said she. "But I know what it is. He has thought itall over while away from me, and he finds that it must not be as wehave supposed. Before he went I offered to release him, and now heknows that he had better accept my offer. Is it so, mamma?" In answerto this Mrs Dale did not speak, but Lily understood from her signsthat it was so. 

"He might have written it to me, myself, " said Lily very proudly. "Mamma, we will go down to breakfast. He has sent nothing to me, then?"

"There is a note. He bids me read it, but I have not opened it. It ishere. "

"Give it me, " said Lily, almost sternly. "Let me have his last wordsto me;" and she took the note from her mother's hands. 

"Lily, " said the note, "your mother will have told you all. Beforeyou read these few words you will know that you have trusted one whowas quite untrustworthy. I know that you will hate me. I cannot evenask you to forgive me. You will let me pray that you may yet behappy. --A. C. "

She read these few words, still leaning against the bed. Then shegot up, and walking to a chair, seated herself with her back to hermother. Mrs Dale moving silently after her stood over the back of thechair, not daring to speak to her. So she sat for some five minutes, with her eyes fixed upon the open window, and with Crosbie's note inher hand. 

"I will not hate him, and I do forgive him, " she said at last, struggling to command her voice, and hardly showing that she couldnot altogether succeed in her attempt. "I may not write to himagain, but you shall write and tell him so. Now we will go down tobreakfast. " And so saying, she got up from her chair. 

Mrs Dale almost feared to speak to her, her composure was socomplete, and her manner so stern and fixed. She hardly knew how tooffer pity and sympathy, seeing that pity seemed to be so littlenecessary, and that even sympathy was not demanded. And she could notunderstand all that Lily had said. What had she meant by the offer torelease him? Had there, then, been some quarrel between them beforehe went? Crosbie had made no such allusion in his letter. But MrsDale did not dare to ask any questions. 

"You frighten me, Lily, " she said. "Your very calmness frightens me. "

"Dear mamma!" and the poor girl absolutely smiled a she embraced hermother. "You need not be frightened by my calmness. I know the truthwell. I have been very unfortunate;--very. The brightest hopes ofmy life are all gone;--and I shall never again see him whom I lovebeyond all the world!" Then at last she broke down, and wept in hermother's arms. 

There was not a word of anger spoken then against him who had doneall this. Mrs Dale felt that she did not dare to speak in angeragainst him, and words of anger were not likely to come from poorLily. She, indeed, hitherto did not know the whole of his offence, for she had not read his letter. 

"Give it me, mamma, " she said at last. "It has to be done sooner orlater. "

"Not now, Lily. I have told you all--all that you need know atpresent. "

"Yes; now, mamma, " and again that sweet silvery voice became stern. "I will read it now, and there shall be an end. " Whereupon Mrs Dalegave her the letter and she read it in silence. Her mother, thoughstanding somewhat behind her, watched her narrowly as she did so. Shewas now lying over upon the bed, and the letter was on the pillow, asshe propped herself upon her arm. Her tears were running, and everand again she would stop to dry her eyes. Her sobs, too, were veryaudible, but she went on steadily with her reading till she came tothe line on which Crosbie told that he had already engaged himself toanother woman. Then her mother could see that she paused suddenly, and that a shudder slightly convulsed all her limbs. 

"He has been very quick, " she said, almost in a whisper; and then shefinished the letter. "Tell him, mamma, " she said, "that I do forgivehim, and I will not hate him. You will tell him that, --from me; willyou not?" And then she raised herself from the bed. 

Mrs Dale would give her no such assurance. In her present mood herfeelings against Crosbie were of a nature which she herself hardlycould understand or analyse. She felt that if he were present shecould almost fly at him as would a tigress. She had never hatedbefore as she now hated this man. He was to her a murderer, and worsethan a murderer. He had made his way like a wolf into her littlefold, and torn her ewe-lamb and left her maimed and mutilated forlife. How could a mother forgive such an offence as that, or consentto be the medium through which forgiveness should be expressed?

"You must, mamma; or, if you do not, I shall do so. Remember that Ilove him. You know what it is to have loved one single man. He hasmade me very unhappy; I hardly know yet how unhappy. But I have lovedhim, and do love him. I believe, in my heart, that he still loves me. Where this has been there must not be hatred and unforgiveness. "

"I will pray that I may become able to forgive him, " said Mrs Dale. 

"But you must write to him those words. Indeed you must, mamma! 'Shebids me tell you that she has forgiven you, and will not hate you. 'Promise me that!"

"I can make no promise now, Lily. I will think about it, andendeavour to do my duty. "

Lily was now seated, and was holding the skirt of her mother's dress. 

"Mamma, " she said, looking up into her mother's face, "you must bevery good to me now; and I must be very good to you. We shall bealways together now. I must be your friend and counsellor; and beeverything to you, more than ever. I must fall in love with you now;"and she smiled again, and the tears were almost dry upon her cheeks. 

At last they went down to the breakfast-room, from which Bell had notmoved. Mrs Dale entered the room first, and Lily followed, hidingherself for a moment behind her mother. Then she came forward boldly, and taking Bell in her arms, clasped her close to her bosom. 

"Bell, " she said, "he has gone. "

"Lily! Lily! Lily!" said Bell, weeping. 

"He has gone! We shall talk it over in a few days, and shall know howto do so without losing ourselves in misery. To-day we will say nomore about it. I am so thirsty, Bell; do give me my tea;" and she satherself down at the breakfast-table. 

Lily's tea was given to her, and she drank it. Beyond that I cannotsay that any of them partook with much heartiness of the meal. Theysat there, as they would have sat if no terrible thunderbolt hadfallen among them, and no word further was spoken about Crosbie andhis conduct. Immediately after breakfast they went into the otherroom, and Lily, as was her wont, sat herself immediately down to herdrawing. Her mother looked at her with wistful eyes, longing to bidher spare herself, but she shrank from interfering with her. For aquarter of an hour Lily sat over her board, with her brush or pencilin her hand, and then she rose up and put it away. 

"It is no good pretending, " she said. "I am only spoiling the things;but I will be better to-morrow. I'll go away and lie down by myself, mamma. " And so she went. 

Soon after this Mrs Dale took her bonnet and went up to the GreatHouse, having received her brother-in-law's message from Bell. 

"I know what he has to tell me, " she said; "but I might as well go. It will be necessary that we should speak to each other about it. " Soshe walked across the lawn, and up into the hall of the Great House. "Is my brother in the book-room?" she said to one of the maids; andthen knocking at the door, went in unannounced. 

The squire rose from his arm-chair, and came forward to meet her. 

"Mary, " he said, "I believe you know it all. "

"Yes, " she said. "You can read that, " and she handed him Crosbie'sletter. "How was one to know that any man could be so wicked asthat?"

"And she has heard it?" asked the squire. "Is she able to bear it?"

"Wonderfully! She has amazed me by her strength. It frightens me;for I know that a relapse must come. She has never sunk for a momentbeneath it. For myself, I feel as though it were her strength thatenables me to bear my share of it. " And then she described to thesquire all that had taken place that morning. 

"Poor child!" said the squire. "Poor child! What can we do for her?Would it be good for her to go away for a time? She is a sweet, good, lovely girl, and has deserved better than that. Sorrow anddisappointment come to us all; but they are doubly heavy when theycome so early. "

Mrs Dale was almost surprised at the amount of sympathy which heshowed. 

"And what is to be his punishment?" she asked. 

"The scorn which men and women will feel for him; those, at least, whose esteem or scorn are matters of concern to any one. I know noother punishment. You would not have Lily's name brought before atribunal of law?"

"Certainly not that. "

"And I will not have Bernard calling him out. Indeed, it would be fornothing; for in these days a man is not expected to fight duels. "

"You cannot think that I would wish that. "

"What punishment is there, then? I know of none. There are evilswhich a man may do, and no one can punish him. I know of nothing. Iwent up to London after him, but he contrived to crawl out of my way. What can you do to a rat but keep clear of him?"

Mrs Dale had felt in her heart that it would be well if Crosbie couldbe beaten till all his bones were sore. I hardly know whether suchshould have been a woman's thought, but it was hers. She had no wishthat he should be made to fight a duel. In that there would havebeen much that was wicked, and in her estimation nothing that wasjust. But she felt that if Bernard would thrash the coward forhis cowardice she would love her nephew better than ever she hadloved him. Bernard also had considered it probable that he mightbe expected to horsewhip the man who had jilted his cousin, and, as regarded the absolute bodily risk, he would not have felt anyinsuperable objection to undertake the task. But such a piece of workwas disagreeable to him in many ways. He hated the idea of a row athis club. He was most desirous that his cousin's name should not bemade public. He wished to avoid anything that might be impolitic. Awicked thing had been done, and he was quite ready to hate Crosbieas Crosbie ought to be hated; but as regarded himself, it made himunhappy to think that the world might probably expect him to punishthe man who had so lately been his friend. And then he did not knowwhere to catch him, or how to thrash him when caught. He was verysorry for his cousin, and felt strongly that Crosbie should not beallowed to escape. But what was he to do?

"Would she like to go anywhere?" said the squire again, anxious, ifhe could, to afford solace by some act of generosity. At this momenthe would have settled a hundred a year for life upon his niece if byso doing he could have done her any good. 

"She will be better at home, " said Mrs Dale. "Poor thing. For a whileshe will wish to avoid going out. "

"I suppose so;" and then there was a pause. "I'll tell you what, Mary; I don't understand it. On my honour I don't understand it. It is to me as wonderful as though I had caught the man picking mypence out of my pocket. I don't think any man in the position of agentleman would have done such a thing when I was young. I don'tthink any man would have dared to do it. But now it seems that aman may act in that way and no harm come to him. He had a friendin London who came to me and talked about it as though it weresome ordinary, everyday transaction of life. Yes; you may come in, Bernard. The poor child knows it all now. "

Bernard offered to his aunt what of solace and sympathy he had tooffer, and made some sort of half-expressed apology for havingintroduced this wolf into their flock. "We always thought very muchof him at his club, " said Bernard. 

"I don't know much about your London clubs nowadays, " said his uncle, "nor do I wish to do so if the society of that man can be enduredafter what he has now done. "

"I don't suppose half-a-dozen men will ever know anything about it, "said Bernard. 

"Umph!" ejaculated the squire. He could not say that he wishedCrosbie's villainy to be widely discussed, seeing that Lily's namewas so closely connected with it. But yet he could not support theidea that Crosbie should not be punished by the frown of the world atlarge. It seemed to him that from this time forward any man speakingto Crosbie should be held to have disgraced himself by so doing. 

"Give her my best love, " he said, as Mrs Dale got up to take herleave; "my very best love. If her old uncle can do anything for hershe has only to let me know. She met the man in my house, and I feelthat I owe her much. Bid her come and see me. It will be better forher than moping at home. And Mary"--this he said to her, whisperinginto her ear--"think of what I said to you about Bell. "

Mrs Dale, as she walked back to her own house, acknowledged toherself that her brother-in-law's manner was different to her fromanything that she had hitherto known of him. 

During the whole of that day Crosbie's name was not mentioned atthe Small House. Neither of the girls stirred out, and Bell spentthe greater part of the afternoon sitting, with her arm round hersister's waist, upon the sofa. Each of them had a book; but thoughthere was little spoken, there was as little read. Who can describethe thoughts that were passing through Lily's mind as she rememberedthe hours which she had passed with Crosbie, of his warm assurancesof love, of his accepted caresses, of her uncontrolled andacknowledged joy in his affection? It had all been holy to her then;and now those things which were then sacred had been made almostdisgraceful by his fault. And yet as she thought of this she declaredto herself over and over again that she would forgive him;--nay, thatshe had forgiven him. "And he shall know it, too, " she said, speakingalmost out loud. 

"Lily, dear Lily, " said Bell, "turn your thoughts away from it for awhile, if you can. "

"They won't go away, " said Lily. And that was all that was saidbetween them on the subject. 

Everybody would know it! I doubt whether that must not be one of thebitterest drops in the cup which a girl in such circumstances is madeto drain. Lily perceived early in the day that the parlour-maid wellknew that she had been jilted. The girl's manner was intended toconvey sympathy; but it did convey pity; and Lily for a moment feltangry. But she remembered that it must be so, and smiled upon thegirl, and spoke kindly to her. What mattered it? All the world wouldknow it in a day or two. 

On the following day she went up, by her mother's advice, to see heruncle. 

"My child, " said he, "I am sorry for you. My heart bleeds for you. "

"Uncle, " she said, "do not mind it. Only do this for me--do not talkabout it, --I mean to me. "

"No, no; I will not. That there should ever have been in my house sogreat a rascal--"

"Uncle! uncle! I will not have that! I will not listen to a wordagainst him from any human being, --not a word! Remember that!" Andher eyes flashed as she spoke. 

He did not answer her, but took her hand and pressed it, and then sheleft him. "The Dales were ever constant!" he said to himself, as hewalked up and down the terrace before his house. "Ever constant!"

CHAPTER XXXI

The Wounded Fawn

Nearly two months passed away, and it was now Christmas time atAllington. It may be presumed that there was no intention at eitherhouse that the mirth should be very loud. Such a wound as thatreceived by Lily Dale was one from which recovery could not be quick, and it was felt by all the family that a weight was upon them whichmade gaiety impracticable. As for Lily herself it may be said thatshe bore her misfortune with all a woman's courage. For the firstweek she stood up as a tree that stands against the wind, which issoon to be shivered to pieces because it will not bend. During thatweek her mother and sister were frightened by her calmness andendurance. She would perform her daily task. She would go out throughthe village, and appear at her place in church on the first Sunday. She would sit over her book of an evening, keeping back her tears;and would chide her mother and sister when she found that they wereregarding her with earnest anxiety. 

"Mamma, let it all be as though it had never been, " she said. 

"Ah, dear! if that were but possible!"

"God forbid that it should be possible inwardly, " Lily replied, "butit is possible outwardly. I feel that you are more tender to methan you used to be, and that upsets me. If you would only scold mebecause I am idle, I should soon be better. " But her mother could notspeak to her as she perhaps might have spoken had no grief fallenupon her pet. She could not cease from those anxious tender glanceswhich made Lily know that she was looked on as a fawn wounded almostto death. 

At the end of the first week she gave way. "I won't get up, Bell, "she said one morning, almost petulantly. "I am ill;--I had betterlie here out of the way. Don't make a fuss about it. I'm stupid andfoolish, and that makes me ill. "

Thereupon Mrs Dale and Bell were frightened, and looked into eachother's blank faces, remembering stories of poor broken-hearted girlswho had died because their loves had been unfortunate, --as small waxtapers whose lights are quenched if a breath of wind blows upon thentoo strongly. But then Lily was in truth no such slight taper asthat. Nor was she the stem that must be broken because it will notbend. She bent herself to the blast during that week of illness, andthen arose with her form still straight and graceful, and with herbright light unquenched. 

After that she would talk more openly to her mother about herloss, --openly and with a true appreciation of the misfortune whichhad befallen her; but with an assurance of strength which seemed toridicule the idea of a broken heart. "I know that I can bear it, " shesaid, "and that I can bear it without lasting unhappiness. Of courseI shall always love him, and must feel almost as you felt when youlost my father. "

In answer to this Mrs Dale could say nothing. She could not speak outher thoughts about Crosbie, and explain to Lily that he was unworthyof her love. Love does not follow worth, and is not given toexcellence;--nor is it destroyed by ill-usage, nor killed by blowsand mutilation. When Lily declared that she still loved the manwho had so ill-used her, Mrs Dale would be silent. Each perfectlyunderstood the other, but on that matter even they could notinterchange their thoughts with freedom. 

"You must promise never to be tired of me, mamma, " said Lily. 

"Mothers do not often get tired of their children, whatever thechildren may do of their mothers. "

"I'm not so sure of that when the children turn out old maids. And Imean to have a will of my own, too, mamma; and a way also, if it bepossible. When Bell is married I shall consider it a partnership, andI shan't do what I'm told any longer. "

"Forewarned will be forearmed. "

"Exactly;--and I don't want to take you by surprise. For a year ortwo longer, till Bell is gone, I mean to be dutiful; but it would bevery stupid for a girl to be dutiful all her life. "

All of which Mrs Dale understood thoroughly. It amounted to anassertion on Lily's part that she had loved once and could never loveagain; that she had played her game, hoping, as other girls hope, that she might win the prize of a husband; but that, having lost, shecould never play the game again. It was that inward conviction onLily's part which made her say such words to her mother. But MrsDale would by no means allow herself to share this conviction. Shedeclared to herself that time would cure Lily's wound, and that herchild might yet be crowned by the bliss of a happy marriage. Shewould not in her heart consent to that plan in accordance with whichLily's destiny in life was to be regarded as already fixed. Shehad never really liked Crosbie as a suitor, and would herself havepreferred John Eames, with all the faults of his hobbledehoyhood onhis head. It might yet come to pass that John Eames's love might bemade happy. 

But in the meantime Lily, as I have said, had become strong in hercourage, and recommenced the work of living with no lackadaisicalself-assurance that because she had been made more unhappy thanothers, therefore she should allow herself to be more idle. Morningand night she prayed for him, and daily, almost hour by hour, sheassured herself that it was still her duty to love him. It was hard, this duty of loving, without any power of expressing such love. Butstill she would do her duty. 

"Tell me at once, mamma, " she said one morning, "when you hear thatthe day is fixed for his marriage. Pray don't keep me in the dark. "

"It is to be in February, " said Mrs Dale. 

"But let me know the day. It must not be to me like ordinary days. But do not look unhappy, mamma; I am not going to make a fool ofmyself. I shan't steal off and appear in the church like a ghost. "And then, having uttered her little joke, a sob came, and she hid herface on her mother's bosom. In a moment she raised it again. "Believeme, mamma, that I am not unhappy, " she said. 

After the expiration of that second week Mrs Dale did write a letterto Crosbie:

 I suppose [she said] it is right that I should acknowledge the receipt of your letter. I do not know that I have aught else to say to you. It would not become me as a woman to say what I think of your conduct, but I believe that your conscience will tell you the same things. If it do not, you must, indeed, be hardened. I have promised my child that I will send to you a message from her. She bids me tell you that she has forgiven you, and that she does not hate you. May God also forgive you, and may you recover his love. 

 MARY DALE. 

 I beg that no rejoinder may be made to this letter, either to myself or to any of my family. 

The squire wrote no answer to the letter which he had received, nordid he take any steps towards the immediate punishment of Crosbie. Indeed he had declared that no such steps could be taken, explainingto his nephew that such a man could be served only as one serves arat. 

"I shall never see him, " he said once again; "if I did, I should notscruple to hit him on the head with my stick; but I should think illof myself to go after him with such an object. "

And yet it was a terrible sorrow to the old man that the scoundrelwho had so injured him and his should escape scot-free. He had notforgiven Crosbie. No idea of forgiveness had ever crossed his mind. He would have hated himself had he thought it possible that hecould be induced to forgive such an injury. "There is an amount ofrascality in it, --of low meanness, which I do not understand, " hewould say over and over again to his nephew. And then as he wouldwalk alone on the terrace he would speculate within his own mindwhether Bernard would take any steps towards avenging his cousin'sinjury. "He is right, " he would say to himself; "Bernard is quiteright. But when I was young I could not have stood it. In thosedays a gentleman might have a fellow out who had treated him as hehas treated us. A man was satisfied in feeling that he had donesomething. I suppose the world is different nowadays. " The world isdifferent; but the squire by no means acknowledged in his heart thatthere had been any improvement. 

Bernard also was greatly troubled in his mind. He would have had noobjection to fight a duel with Crosbie, had duels in these days beenpossible. But he believed them to be no longer possible, at any ratewithout ridicule. And if he could not fight the man, in what otherway was he to punish him? Was it not the fact that for such a faultthe world afforded no punishment? Was it not in the power of a manlike Crosbie to amuse himself for a week or two at the expense of agirl's happiness for life, and then to escape absolutely without anyill effects to himself? "I shall be barred out of my club lest Ishould meet him, " Bernard said to himself, "but he will not be barredout. " Moreover, there was a feeling within him that the matter wouldbe one of triumph to Crosbie rather than otherwise. In having securedfor himself the pleasure of his courtship with such a girl asLily Dale, without encountering the penalty usually consequentupon such amusement, he would be held by many as having meritedmuch admiration. He had sinned against all the Dales, and yetthe suffering arising from his sin was to fall upon the Dalesexclusively. Such was Bernard's reasoning, as he speculated on thewhole affair, sadly enough, --wishing to be avenged, but not knowingwhere to look for vengeance. For myself I believe him to have beenaltogether wrong as to the light in which he supposed that Crosbie'sfalsehood would be regarded by Crosbie's friends. Men will still talkof such things lightly, professing that all is fair in love as itis in war, and speaking almost with envy of the good fortunes of apractised deceiver. But I have never come across the man who thoughtin this way with reference to an individual case. Crosbie's ownjudgment as to the consequences to himself of what he had done wasmore correct than that formed by Bernard Dale. He had regarded theact as venial as long as it was still to do, --while it was stillwithin his power to leave it undone; but from the moment of itsaccomplishment it had forced itself upon his own view in its properlight. He knew that he had been a scoundrel, and he knew that othermen would so think of him. His friend Fowler Pratt, who had thereputation of looking at women simply as toys, had so regarded him. Instead of boasting of what he had done, he was as afraid of alludingto any matter connected with his marriage as a man is of talking ofthe articles which he has stolen. He had already felt that men at hisclub looked askance at him; and, though he was no coward as regardedhis own skin and bones, he had an undefined fear lest some day hemight encounter Bernard Dale purposely armed with a stick. The squireand his nephew were wrong in supposing that Crosbie was unpunished. 

And as the winter came on he felt that he was closely watched by thenoble family of de Courcy. Some of that noble family he had alreadylearned to hate cordially. The Honourable John came up to town inNovember, and persecuted him vilely;--insisted on having dinnersgiven to him at Sebright's, of smoking throughout the whole afternoonin his future brother-in-law's rooms, and on borrowing his futurebrother-in-law's possessions; till at last Crosbie determined that itwould be wise to quarrel with the Honourable John, --and he quarrelledwith him accordingly, turning him out of his rooms, and telling himin so many words that he would have no more to do with him. 

"You'll have to do it, as I did, " Mortimer Gazebee had said to him;"I didn't like it because of the family, but Lady Amelia told me thatit must be so. " Whereupon Crosbie took the advice of MortimerGazebee. 

But the hospitality of the Gazebees was perhaps more distressing tohim than even the importunities of the Honourable John. It seemedas though his future sister-in-law was determined not to leave himalone. Mortimer was sent to fetch him up for the Sunday afternoons, and he found that he was constrained to go to the villa in St. John'sWood, even in opposition to his own most strenuous will. He could notquite analyse the circumstances of his own position, but he felt asthough he were a cock with his spurs cut off, --as a dog with histeeth drawn. He found himself becoming humble and meek. He had toacknowledge to himself that he was afraid of Lady Amelia, and almosteven afraid of Mortimer Gazebee. He was aware that they watched him, and knew all his goings out and comings in. They called him Adolphus, and made him tame. That coming evil day in February was dinned intohis ears. Lady Amelia would go and look at furniture for him, andtalked by the hour about bedding and sheets. "You had better get yourkitchen things at Tomkins'. They're all good, and he'll give youten per cent. Off if you pay him ready money, --which, of course, you will, you know!" Was it for this that he had sacrificed LilyDale?--for this that he had allied himself with the noble house ofde Courcy?

Mortimer had been at him about the settlements from the very firstmoment of his return to London, and had already bound him up hand andfoot. His life was insured, and the policy was in Mortimer's hands. His own little bit of money had been already handed over to be tiedup with Lady Alexandrina's little bit. It seemed to him that inall the arrangements made the intention was that he should die offspeedily, and that Lady Alexandrina should be provided with a decentlittle income, sufficient for St. John's Wood. Things were to be sosettled that he could not even spend the proceeds of his own money, or of hers. They were to go, under the fostering hands of MortimerGazebee, in paying insurances. If he would only die the day afterhis marriage, there would really be a very nice sum of money forAlexandrina, almost worthy of the acceptance of an earl's daughter. Six months ago he would have considered himself able to turn MortimerGazebee round his finger on any subject that could be introducedbetween them. When they chanced to meet Gazebee had been quite humbleto him, treating him almost as a superior being. He had looked downon Gazebee from a very great height. But now it seemed as though hewere powerless in this man's hands. 

But perhaps the countess had become his greatest aversion. Shewas perpetually writing to him little notes in which she gave himmultitudes of commissions, sending him about as though he had beenher servant. And she pestered him with advice which was even worsethan her commissions, telling him of the style of life in whichAlexandrina would expect to live, and warning him very frequentlythat such an one as he could not expect to be admitted within thebosom of so noble a family without paying very dearly for thatinestimable privilege. Her letters had become odious to him, andhe would chuck them on one side, leaving them for the whole dayunopened. He had already made up his mind that he would quarrel withthe countess also, very shortly after his marriage; indeed, that hewould separate himself from the whole family if it were possible. And yet he had entered into this engagement mainly with the view ofreaping those advantages which would accrue to him from being alliedto the de Courcys! The squire and his nephew were wretched inthinking that this man was escaping without punishment, but theymight have spared themselves that misery. 

It had been understood from the first that he was to spend hisChristmas at Courcy Castle. From this undertaking it was quite outof his power to enfranchise himself: but he resolved that his visitshould be as short as possible. Christmas Day unfortunately came ona Monday, and it was known to the de Courcy world that Saturday wasalmost a _dies non_ at the General Committee Office. As to thosethree days there was no escape for him; but he made Alexandrinaunderstand that the three Commissioners were men of iron as to anyextension of those three days. "I must be absent again in February, of course, " he said, almost making his wail audible in the words heused, "and therefore it is quite impossible that I should stay nowbeyond the Monday. " Had there been attractions for him at CourcyCastle I think he might have arranged with Mr Optimist for a week orten days. "We shall be all alone, " the countess wrote to him, "and Ihope you will have an opportunity of learning more of our ways thanyou have ever really been able to do as yet. " This was bitter as gallto him. But in this world all valuable commodities have their price;and when men such as Crosbie aspire to obtain for themselves analliance with noble families, they must pay the market price for thearticle which they purchase. 

"You'll all come up and dine with us on Monday, " the squire said toMrs Dale, about the middle of the previous week. 

"Well, I think not, " said Mrs Dale, "we are better, perhaps, as weare. "

At this moment the squire and his sister-in-law were on much morefriendly terms than had been usual with them, and he took her replyin good part, understanding her feeling. Therefore, he pressed hisrequest, and succeeded. 

"I think you're wrong, " he said, "I don't suppose that we shall havea very merry Christmas. You and the girls will hardly have thatwhether you eat your pudding here or at the Great House. But it willbe better for us all to make the attempt. It's the right thing to do. That's the way I look at it. "

"I'll ask Lily, " said Mrs Dale. 

"Do, do. Give her my love, and tell her from me that, in spite of allthat has come and gone, Christmas Day should still be to her a day ofrejoicing. We'll dine about three, so that the servants can have theafternoon. "

"Of course we'll go, " said Lily; "why not? We always do. And we'llhave blind-man's-buff with all the Boyces, as we had last year, ifuncle will ask them up. " But the Boyces were not asked up for thatoccasion. 

But Lily, though she put on it all so brave a face, had much tosuffer, and did in truth suffer greatly. If you, my reader, everchanced to slip into the gutter on a wet day, did you not find thatthe sympathy of the bystanders was by far the severest part of yourmisfortune? Did you not declare to yourself that all might yet bewell, if the people would only walk on and not look at you? And yetyou cannot blame those who stood and pitied you; or, perhaps, essayedto rub you down, and assist you in the recovery of your bedaubedhat. You, yourself, if you see a man fall, cannot walk by as thoughnothing uncommon had happened to him. It was so with Lily. The peopleof Allington could not regard her with their ordinary eyes. Theywould look at her tenderly, knowing that she was a wounded fawn, and thus they aggravated the soreness of her wound. Old Mrs Hearncondoled with her, telling her that very likely she would be betteroff as she was. Lily would not lie about it in any way. "Mrs Hearn, "she said, "the subject is painful to me. " Mrs Hearn said no moreabout it, but on every meeting between them she looked the things shedid not say. "Miss Lily!" said Hopkins, one day, "Miss Lily!"--and ashe looked up into her face a tear had almost formed itself in hisold eye--"I knew what he was from the first. Oh, dear! oh, dear! ifI could have had him killed!" "Hopkins, how dare you?" said Lily. "If you speak to me again in such a way, I will tell my uncle. " Sheturned away from him but immediately turned back again, and put outher little hand to him. "I beg your pardon, " she said. "I know howkind you are, and I love you for it. " And then she went away. "I'llgo after him yet, and break the dirty neck of him, " said Hopkins tohimself, as he walked down the path. 

Shortly before Christmas Day she called with her sister at thevicarage. Bell, in the course of the visit, left the room with one ofthe Boyce girls, to look at the last chrysanthemums of the year. ThenMrs Boyce took advantage of the occasion to make her little speech. "My dear Lily, " she said, "you will think me cold if I do not say oneword to you. " "No, I shall not, " said Lily, almost sharply, shrinkingfrom the finger that threatened to touch her sore. "There are thingswhich should never be talked about. " "Well, well; perhaps so, " saidMrs Boyce. But for a minute or two she was unable to fall back uponany other topic, and sat looking at Lily with painful tenderness. Ineed hardly say what were Lily's sufferings under such a gaze; butshe bore it, acknowledging to herself in her misery that the faultdid not lie with Mrs Boyce. How could Mrs Boyce have looked at herotherwise than tenderly?

It was settled, then, that Lily was to dine up at the Great House onChristmas Day, and thus show to the Allington world that she was notto be regarded as a person shut out from the world by the depth ofher misfortune. That she was right there can, I think, be no doubt;but as she walked across the little bridge, with her mother andsister, after returning from church, she would have given much to beable to have turned round, and have gone to bed instead of to heruncle's dinner. 

CHAPTER XXXII

Pawkins's in Jermyn Street

The show of fat beasts in London took place this year on thetwentieth day of December, and I have always understood that acertain bullock exhibited by Lord De Guest was declared by themetropolitan butchers to have realised all the possible excellencesof breeding, feeding, and condition. No doubt the butchers of thenext half-century will have learned much better, and the Guestwickbeast, could it be embalmed and then produced, would excite onlyridicule at the agricultural ignorance of the present age; but LordDe Guest took the praise that was offered to him, and found himselfin a seventh heaven of delight. He was never so happy as whensurrounded by butchers, graziers, and salesmen who were able toappreciate the work of his life, and who regarded him as a modelnobleman. "Look at that fellow, " he said to Eames, pointing to theprize bullock. Eames had joined his patron at the show after hisoffice hours, looking on upon the living beef by gaslight. "Isn't helike his sire? He was got by Lambkin, you know. "

"Lambkin, " said Johnny, who had not as yet been able to learn muchabout the Guestwick stock. 

"Yes, Lambkin. The bull that we had the trouble with. He has just gothis sire's back and fore-quarters. Don't you see?"

"I daresay, " said Johnny, who looked very hard, but could not see. 

"It's very odd, " exclaimed the earl, "but do you know, that bull hasbeen as quiet since that day, --as quiet as--as anything. I think itmust have been my pocket-handkerchief. "

"I daresay it was, " said Johnny;--"Or perhaps the flies. "

"Flies!" said the earl, angrily. "Do you suppose he isn't used toflies? Come away. I ordered dinner at seven, and it's past six now. My brother-in-law, Colonel Dale, is up in town, and he dines withus. " So he took Johnny's arm, and led him off through the show, calling his attention as he went to several beasts which wereinferior to his own. 

And then they walked down through Portman Square and GrosvenorSquare, and across Piccadilly to Jermyn Street. John Eamesacknowledged to himself that it was odd that he should have an earlleaning on his arm as he passed along through the streets. At home, in his own life, his daily companions were Cradell and Amelia Roper, Mrs Lupex and Mrs Roper. The difference was very great, and yet hefound it quite as easy to talk to the earl as to Mrs Lupex. 

"You know the Dales down at Allington, of course, " said the earl. 

"Oh, yes, I know them. "

"But, perhaps, you never met the colonel. "

"I don't think I ever did. "

"He's a queer sort of fellow;--very well in his way, but he neverdoes anything. He and my sister live at Torquay, and as far as I canfind out, they neither of them have any occupation of any sort. He'scome up to town now because we both had to meet our family lawyersand sign some papers, but he looks on the journey as a greathardship. As for me, I'm a year older than he is, but I wouldn't mindgoing up and down from Guestwick every day. "

"It's looking after the bull that does it, " said Eames. 

"By George! you're right, Master Johnny. My sister and Crofts maytell me what they like, but when a man's out in the open air foreight or nine hours every day, it doesn't much matter where he goesto sleep after that. This is Pawkins's--capital good house, but notso good as it used to be while old Pawkins was alive. Show Mr Eamesup into a bedroom to wash his hands. "

Colonel Dale was much like his brother in face, but was taller, eventhinner, and apparently older. When Eames went into the sitting-room, the colonel was there alone, and had to take upon himself the troubleof introducing himself. He did not get up from his arm-chair, butnodded gently at the young man. "Mr Eames, I believe? I knew yourfather at Guestwick, a great many years ago;" then he turned his faceback towards the fire and sighed. 

"It's got very cold this afternoon, " said Johnny, trying to makeconversation. 

"It's always cold in London, " said the colonel. 

"If you had to be here in August you wouldn't say so. "

"God forbid, " said the colonel, and he sighed again, with his eyesfixed upon the fire. Eames had heard of the very gallant way in whichOrlando Dale had persisted in running away with Lord De Guest'ssister, in opposition to very terrible obstacles, and as he nowlooked at the intrepid lover, he thought that there must have been agreat change since those days. After that nothing more was said tillthe earl came down. 

Pawkins's house was thoroughly old-fashioned in all things, and thePawkins of that day himself stood behind the earl's elbow when thedinner began, and himself removed the cover from the soup tureen. Lord De Guest did not require much personal attention, but he wouldhave felt annoyed if this hadn't been done. As it was he had a civilword to say to Pawkins about the fat cattle, thereby showing that hedid not mistake Pawkins for one of the waiters. Pawkins then took hislordship's orders about the wine and retired. 

"He keeps up the old house pretty well, " said the earl to hisbrother-in-law. "It isn't like what it was thirty years ago, but theneverything of that sort has got worse and worse. "

"I suppose it has, " said the colonel. 

"I remember when old Pawkins had as good a glass of port as I've gotat home, --or nearly. They can't get it now, you know. "

"I never drink port, " said the colonel. "I seldom take anything afterdinner, except a little negus. "

His brother-in-law said nothing, but made a most eloquent grimace ashe turned his face towards his soup-plate. Eames saw it, and couldhardly refrain from laughing. When, at half-past nine o'clock, thecolonel retired from the room, the earl, as the door was closed, threw up his hands, and uttered the one word "negus!" Then Eames tookheart of grace and had his laughter out. 

The dinner was very dull, and before the colonel went to bed Johnnyregretted that he had been induced to dine at Pawkins's. It might bea very fine thing to be asked to dinner with an earl; and John Eameshad perhaps received at his office some little accession of dignityfrom the circumstance, of which he had been not unpleasantly aware;but, as he sat at the table, on which there were four or five applesand a plate of dried nuts, looking at the earl, as he endeavoured tokeep his eyes open, and at the colonel, to whom it seemed absolutelya matter of indifference whether his companions were asleep or awake, he confessed to himself that the price he was paying was almost toodear. Mrs Roper's tea-table was not pleasant to him, but even thatwould have been preferable to the black dinginess of Pawkins'smahogany, with the company of two tired old men, with whom he seemedto have no mutual subject of conversation. Once or twice he tried aword with the colonel, for the colonel sat with his eyes open lookingat the fire. But he was answered with monosyllables, and it wasevident to him that the colonel did not wish to talk. To sit still, with his hands closed over each other on his lap, was work enough forColonel Dale during his after-dinner hours. 

But the earl knew what was going on. During that terrible conflictbetween him and his slumber, in which the drowsy god fairlyvanquished him for some twenty minutes, his conscience was alwaysaccusing him of treating his guests badly. He was very angry withhimself, and tried to arouse himself and talk. But his brother-in-lawwould not help him in his efforts; and even Eames was not bright inrendering him assistance. Then for twenty minutes he slept soundly, and at the end of that he woke himself with one of his own snorts. "By George!" he said, jumping up and standing on the rug, "we'll havesome coffee"; and after that he did not sleep any more. 

"Dale, " said he, "won't you take some more wine?"

"Nothing more, " said the colonel, still looking at the fire, andshaking his head very slowly. 

"Come, Johnny, fill your glass. " He had already got into the way ofcalling his young friend Johnny, having found that Mrs Eamesgenerally spoke of her son by that name. 

"I have been filling my glass all the time, " said Eames, taking thedecanter again in his hand as he spoke. 

"I'm glad you've found something to amuse you, for it has seemed tome that you and Dale haven't had much to say to each other. I've beenlistening all the time. "

"You've been asleep, " said the colonel. 

"Then there's been some excuse for my holding my tongue, " said theearl. "By-the-by, Dale, what do you think of that fellow Crosbie?"

Eames's ears were instantly on the alert, and the spirit of dullnessvanished from him. 

"Think of him?" said the colonel. 

"He ought to have every bone in his skin broken, " said the earl. 

"So he ought, " said Eames, getting up from his chair in hiseagerness, and speaking in a tone somewhat louder than was perhapsbecoming in the presence of his seniors. "So he ought, my lord. He isthe most abominable rascal that ever I met in my life. I wish I wasLily Dale's brother. " Then he sat down again, remembering that hewas speaking in the presence of Lily's uncle, and of the father ofBernard Dale, who might be supposed to occupy the place of Lily'sbrother. 

The colonel turned his head round, and looked at the young man withsurprise. "I beg your pardon, sir, " said Eames, "but I have known MrsDale and your nieces all my life. "

"Oh, have you?" said the colonel. "Nevertheless it is, perhaps, aswell not to make too free with a young lady's name. Not that I blameyou in the least, Mr Eames. "

"I should think not, " said the earl. "I honour him for his feeling. Johnny, my boy, if ever I am unfortunate enough to meet that man, I shall tell him my mind, and I believe you will do the same. " Onhearing this John Eames winked at the earl, and made a motion withhis head towards the colonel, whose back was turned to him. And thenthe earl winked back at Eames. 

"De Guest, " said the colonel, "I think I'll go upstairs; I alwayshave a little arrowroot in my own room. "

"I'll ring the bell for a candle, " said the host. Then the colonelwent, and as the door was closed behind him, the earl raised his twohands and uttered that single word, "negus!" Whereupon Johnny burstout laughing, and coming round to the fire, sat himself down in thearm-chair which the colonel had left. 

"I've no doubt it's all right, " said the earl; "but I shouldn't liketo drink negus myself, nor yet to have arrowroot up in my bedroom. "

"I don't suppose there's any harm in it. "

"Oh dear, no; I wonder what Pawkins says about him. But I supposethey have them of all sorts in an hotel. "

"The waiter didn't seem to think much of it when he brought it. "

"No, no. If he'd asked for senna and salts, the waiter wouldn't haveshowed any surprise. By-the-by, you touched him up about that poorgirl. "

"Did I, my lord? I didn't mean it. "

"You see he's Bernard Dale's father, and the question is, whetherBernard shouldn't punish the fellow for what he has done. Somebodyought to do it. It isn't right that he should escape. Somebody oughtto let Mr Crosbie know what a scoundrel he has made himself. "

"I'd do it to-morrow, only I'm afraid--"

"No, no, no, " said the earl; "you are not the right person at all. What have you got to do with it? You've merely known them as familyfriends, but that's not enough. "

"No, I suppose not, " said Eames, sadly. 

"Perhaps it's best as it is, " said the earl. "I don't know that anygood would be got by knocking him over the head. And if we are to beChristians, I suppose we ought to be Christians. "

"What sort of a Christian has he been?"

"That's true enough; and if I was Bernard, I should be very apt toforget my Bible lessons about meekness. "

"Do you know, my lord, I should think it the most Christian thing inthe world to pitch into him; I should, indeed. There are some thingsfor which a man ought to be beaten black and blue. "

"So that he shouldn't do them again?"

"Exactly. You might say it isn't Christian to hang a man. "

"I'd always hang a murderer. It wasn't right to hang men for stealingsheep. "

"Much better hang such a fellow as Crosbie, " said Eames. 

"Well, I believe so. If any fellow wanted now to curry favour withthe young lady, what an opportunity he'd have. "

Johnny remained silent for a moment or two before he answered. "I'mnot so sure of that, " he said; mournfully, as though grieving at thethought that there was no chance of currying favour with Lily bythrashing her late lover. 

"I don't pretend to know much about girls, " said Lord De Guest; "butI should think it would be so. I should fancy that nothing wouldplease her so much as hearing that he had caught it, and that all theworld knew that he'd caught it. " The earl had declared that he didn'tknow much about girls, and in so saving, he was no doubt right. 

"If I thought so, " said Eames, "I'd find him out to-morrow. "

"Why so? what difference does it make to you?" Then there was anotherpause, during which Johnny looked very sheepish. 

"You don't mean to say that you're in love with Miss Lily Dale?"

"I don't know much about being in love with her, " said Johnny, turning very red as he spoke. And then he made up his mind, in a wildsort of way, to tell all the truth to his friend. Pawkins's port winemay, perhaps, have had something to do with the resolution. "But I'dgo through fire and water for her, my lord. I knew her years beforehe had ever seen her, and have loved her a great deal better than hewill ever love any one. When I heard that she had accepted him, I hadhalf a mind to cut my own throat, --or else his. "

"Highty tighty, " said the earl. 

"It's very ridiculous, I know, " said Johnny, "and, of course, shewould never have accepted me. "

"I don't see that at all. "

"I haven't a shilling in the world. "

"Girls don't care much for that. "

"And then a clerk in the Income-tax Office! It's such a poor thing. "

"The other fellow was only a clerk in another office. "

The earl living down at Guestwick did not understand that theIncome-tax Office in the city, and the General Committee Office atWhitehall, were as far apart as Dives and Lazarus and separated by asimpassable a gulf. 

"Oh, yes, " said Johnny; "but his office is another kind of thing, andthen he was a swell himself. "

"By George, I don't see it, " said the earl. 

"I don't wonder a bit at her accepting a fellow like that. I hatedhim the first moment I saw him; but that's no reason she should hatehim. He had that sort of manner, you know. He was a swell, and girlslike that kind of thing. I never felt angry with her, but I couldhave eaten him. " As he spoke he looked as though he would have madesome such attempt had Crosbie been present. 

"Did you ever ask her to have you?" said the earl. 

"No; how could I ask her, when I hadn't bread to give her?"

"And you never told her--that you were in love with her, I mean, andall that kind of thing. "

"She knows it now, " said Johnny; "I went to say good-bye to her theother day, when I thought she was going to be married. I could nothelp telling her then. "

"But it seems to me, my dear fellow, that you ought to be very muchobliged to Crosbie;--that is to say, if you've a mind to--"

"I know what you mean, my lord. I am not a bit obliged to him. It'smy belief that all this will about kill her. As to myself, if Ithought she'd ever have me--"

Then he was again silent, and the earl could see that the tears werein his eyes. 

"I think I begin to understand it, " said the earl, "and I'll give youa bit of advice. You come down and spend your Christmas with me atGuestwick. "

"Oh, my lord!"

"Never mind my-lording me, but do as I tell you. Lady Julia sent youa message, though I forgot all about it till now. She wants to thankyou herself for what you did in the field. "

"That's all nonsense, my lord. "

"Very well; you can tell her so. You may take my word for this, too, --my sister hates Crosbie quite as much as you do. I think she'd'pitch into him, ' as you call it, herself, if she knew how. You comedown to Guestwick for the Christmas, and then go over to Allingtonand tell them all plainly what you mean. "

"I couldn't say a word to her now. "

"Say it to the squire, then. Go to him, and tell him what youmean, --holding your head up like a man. Don't talk to me aboutswells. The man who means honestly is the best swell I know. He'sthe only swell I recognise. Go to old Dale, and say you come fromme, --from Guestwick Manor. Tell him that if he'll put a littlestick under the pot to make it boil, I'll put a bigger one. He'llunderstand what that means. "

"Oh, no, my lord. "

"But I say, oh, yes;" and the earl, who was now standing on the rugbefore the fire, dug his hands deep down into his trousers' pockets. "I'm very fond of that girl, and would do much for her. You ask LadyJulia if I didn't say so to her before I ever knew of your casting asheep's-eye that way. And I've a sneaking kindness for you too, Master Johnny. Lord bless you, I knew your father as well as I everknew any man; and to tell the truth, I believe I helped to ruin him. He held land of me, you know, and there can't be any doubt that hedid ruin himself. He knew no more about a beast when he'd done, than--than--than that waiter. If he'd gone on to this day he wouldn'thave been any wiser. "

Johnny sat silent, with his eyes full of tears. What was he to say tohis friend?

"You come down with me, " continued the earl, "and you'll find we'llmake it all straight. I daresay you're right about not speaking tothe girl just at present. But tell everything to the uncle, and thento the mother. And, above all things, never think that you're notgood enough yourself. A man should never think that. My belief isthat in life people will take you very much at your own reckoning. Ifyou are made of dirt, like that fellow Crosbie, you'll be found outat last, no doubt. But then I don't think you are made of dirt. "

"I hope not. "

"And so do I. You can come down, I suppose, with me the day afterto-morrow?"

"I'm afraid not. I have had all my leave. "

"Shall I write to old Buffle, and ask it as a favour?"

"No, " said Johnny; "I shouldn't like that. But I'll see to-morrow, and then I'll let you know. I can go down by the mail train onSaturday, at any rate. "

"That won't be comfortable. See and come with me if you can. Now, good-night, my dear fellow, and remember this, --when I say a thingI mean it. I think I may boast that I never yet went back from myword. "

The earl as he spoke gave his left hand to his guest, and lookingsomewhat grandly up over the young man's head, he tapped his ownbreast thrice with his right hand. As he went through the littlescene, John Eames felt that he was every inch an earl. 

"I don't know what to say to you, my lord. "

"Say nothing, --not a word more to me. But say to yourself that faintheart never won fair lady. Good-night, my dear boy, good-night. Idine out to-morrow, but you can call and let me know at about six. "

Eames then left the room without another word, and walked out intothe cold air of Jermyn Street. The moon was clear and bright, and thepavement in the shining light seemed to be as clean as a lady's hand. All the world was altered to him since he had entered Pawkins'sHotel. Was it then possible that Lily Dale might even yet become hiswife? Could it be true that he, even now, was in a position to goboldly to the Squire of Allington, and tell him what were his viewswith reference to Lily? And how far would he be justified in takingthe earl at his word? Some incredible amount of wealth would berequired before he could marry Lily Dale. Two or three hundred poundsa year at the very least! The earl could not mean him to understandthat any such sum as that would be made up with such an object!Nevertheless he resolved as he walked home to Burton Crescent that hewould go down to Guestwick, and that he would obey the earl's behest. As regarded Lily herself he felt that nothing could be said to herfor many a long day as yet. 

"Oh, John, how late you are!" said Amelia, slipping out from the backparlour as he let himself in with his latch-key. 

"Yes, I am;--very late, " said John, taking his candle, and passingher by on the stairs without another word. 

CHAPTER XXXIII

"The Time Will Come"

"Did you hear that young Eames is staying at Guestwick Manor?"

As these were the first words which the squire spoke to Mrs Daleas they walked together up to the Great House, after church, onChristmas Day, it was clear enough that the tidings of Johnny'svisit, when told to him, had made some impression. 

"At Guestwick Manor!" said Mrs Dale. "Dear me! Do you hear that, Bell? There's promotion for Master Johnny!"

"Don't you remember, mamma, " said Bell, "that he helped his lordshipin his trouble with the bull?"

Lily, who remembered accurately all the passages of her lastinterview with John Eames, said nothing, but felt, in some sort, soreat the idea that he should be so near her at such a time. In someunconscious way she had liked him for coming to her and saying allthat he did say. She valued him more highly after that scene thanshe did before. But now, she would feel herself injured and hurt ifhe ever made his way into her presence under circumstances as theyexisted. 

"I should not have thought that Lord De Guest was the man to show somuch gratitude for so slight a favour, " said the squire. "However, I'm going to dine there to-morrow. "

"To meet young Eames?" said Mrs Dale. 

"Yes, --especially to meet young Eames. At least, I've been veryspecially asked to come, and I've been told that he is to be there. "

"And is Bernard going?"

"Indeed I'm not, " said Bernard, "I shall come over and dine withyou. "

A half-formed idea flitted across Lily's mind, teaching her toimagine for a moment that she might possibly be concerned in thisarrangement. But the thought vanished as quickly as it came, merelyleaving some soreness behind it. There are certain maladies whichmake the whole body sore. The patient, let him be touched on anypoint, --let him even be nearly touched, --will roar with agony asthough his whole body had been bruised. So it is also with maladiesof the mind. Sorrows such as that of poor Lily leave the heart soreat every point, and compel the sufferer to be ever in fear of newwounds. Lily bore her cross bravely and well; but not the less didit weigh heavily upon her at every turn because she had the strengthto walk as though she did not bear it. Nothing happened to her, orin her presence, that did not in some way connect itself with hermisery. Her uncle was going over to meet John Eames at Lord DeGuest's. Of course the men there would talk about her, and all suchtalking was an injury to her. 

The afternoon of that day did not pass away brightly. As long as theservants were in the room the dinner went on much as other dinners. At such times a certain amount of hypocrisy must always be practisedin closely domestic circles. At mixed dinner-parties people can talkbefore Richard and William the same words that they would use ifRichard and William were not there. People so mixed do not talktogether their inward home thoughts. But when close friends aretogether, a little conscious reticence is practised till the dooris tiled. At such a meeting as this that conscious reticence was ofservice, and created an effect which was salutary. When the doorwas tiled, and when the servants were gone, how could they be merrytogether? By what mirth should the beards be made to wag on thatChristmas Day?

"My father has been up in town, " said Bernard. "He was with Lord DeGuest at Pawkins's. "

"Why didn't you go and see him?" asked Mrs Dale. 

"Well, I don't know. He did not seem to wish it. I shall go down toTorquay in February. I must be up in London you know, in a fortnight, for good. " Then they were all silent again for a few minutes. IfBernard could have owned the truth, he would have acknowledged thathe had not gone up to London, because he did not yet know how totreat Crosbie when he should meet him. His thoughts on this matterthrew some sort of shadow across poor Lily's mind, making her feelthat her wound was again opened. 

"I want him to give up his profession altogether, " said the squire, speaking firmly and slowly. "It would be better, I think, for both ofus that he should do so. "

"Would it be wise at his time of life, " said Mrs Dale, "and when hehas been doing so well?"

"I think it would be wise. If he were my son it would be thoughtbetter that he should live here upon the property, among the peoplewho are to become his tenants, than remain up in London, or perhapsbe sent to India. He has one profession as the heir of this place, and that, I think, should be enough. "

"I should have but an idle life of it down here, " said Bernard. 

"That would be your own fault. But if you did as I would have you, your life would not be idle. " In this he was alluding to Bernard'sproposed marriage, but as to that nothing further could be said inBell's presence. Bell understood it all, and sat quite silent, withdemure countenance;--perhaps even with something of sternness in herface. 

"But the fact is, " said Mrs Dale, speaking in a low tone, and havingwell considered what she was about to say, "that Bernard is notexactly the same as your son. "

"Why not?" said the squire. "I have even offered to settle theproperty on him if he will leave the service. "

"You do not owe him so much as you would owe your son;--and, therefore, he does not owe you as much as he would owe his father. "

"If you mean that I cannot constrain him, I know that well enough. As regards money, I have offered to do for him quite as much as anyfather would feel called upon to do for an only son. "

"I hope you don't think me ungrateful, " said Bernard. 

"No, I do not; but I think you unmindful. I have nothing more tosay about it, however;--not about that. If you should marry--" Andthen he stopped himself, feeling that he could not go on in Bell'spresence. 

"If he should marry, " said Mrs Dale, "it may well be that his wifewould like a house of her own. "

"Wouldn't she have this house?" said the squire, angrily. "Isn't itbig enough? I only want one room for myself, and I'd give up that ifit were necessary. "

"That's nonsense, " said Mrs Dale. 

"It isn't nonsense, " said the squire. 

"You'll be squire of Allington for the next twenty years, " said MrsDale. "And as long as you are the squire, you'll be master of thishouse; at least, I hope so. I don't approve of monarchs abdicating infavour of young people. "

"I don't think Uncle Christopher would look at all well like Charlesthe Fifth, " said Lily. 

"I would always keep a cell for you, my darling, if I did, " said thesquire, regarding her with that painful, special tenderness. Lily, who was sitting next to Mrs Dale, put her hand out secretly and gothold of her mother's, thereby indicating that she did not intend tooccupy the cell offered to her by her uncle; or to look to him as thecompanion of her monastic seclusion. After that there was nothingmore then said as to Bernard's prospects. 

"Mrs Hearn is dining at the vicarage, I suppose?" asked the squire. 

"Yes; she went in after church, " said Bell. "I saw her go with MrsBoyce. "

"She told me she never would dine with them again after dark inwinter, " said Mrs Dale. "The last time she was there, the boy let thelamp blow out as she was going home, and she lost her way. The truthwas, she was angry because Mr Boyce didn't go with her. "

"She's always angry, " said the squire. "She hardly speaks to me now. When she paid her rent the other day to Jolliffe, she said she hopedit would do me much good; as though she thought me a brute for takingit. "

"So she does, " said Bernard. 

"She's very old, you know, " said Bell. 

"I'd give her the house for nothing, if I were you, uncle, " saidLily. 

"No, my dear; if you were me you would not. I should be very wrong todo so. Why should Mrs Hearn have her house for nothing, any more thanher meat or her clothes? It would be much more reasonable were I togive her so much money into her hand yearly; but it would be wrongin me to do so, seeing that she is not an object of charity;--and itwould be wrong in her to take it. "

"And she wouldn't take it, " said Mrs Dale. 

"I don't think she would. But if she did, I'm sure she would grumblebecause it wasn't double the amount. And if Mr Boyce had gone homewith her, she would have grumbled because he walked too fast. "

"She is very old, " said Bell, again. 

"But, nevertheless, she ought to know better than to speakdisparagingly of me to my servants. She should have more respect forherself. " And the squire showed by the tone of his voice that hethought very much about it. 

It was very long and very dull that Christmas evening, makingBernard feel strongly that he would be very foolish to give up hisprofession, and tie himself down to a life at Allington. Women aremore accustomed than men to long, dull, unemployed hours; and, therefore, Mrs Dale and her daughters bore the tedium courageously. While he yawned, stretched himself, and went in and out of the room, they sat demurely, listening as the squire laid down the law on smallmatters, and contradicting him occasionally when the spirit of eitherof them prompted her specially to do so. "Of course you know muchbetter than I do, " he would say. "Not at all, " Mrs Dale would answer. "I don't pretend to know anything about it. But--" So the eveningwore itself away; and when the squire was left alone at half-pastnine, he did not feel that the day had passed badly with him. Thatwas his style of life, and he expected no more from it than he got. He did not look to find things very pleasant, and, if not happy, hewas, at any rate, contented. 

"Only think of Johnny Eames being at Guestwick Manor!" said Bell, asthey were going home. 

"I don't see why he shouldn't be there, " said Lily. "I would ratherit should be he than I, because Lady Julia is so grumpy. "

"But asking your Uncle Christopher especially to meet him!" said MrsDale. "There must be some reason for it. " Then Lily felt the sorenesscome upon her again, and spoke no further upon the subject. 

We all know that there was a special reason, and that Lily's sorenesswas not false in its mysterious forebodings. Eames, on the eveningafter his dinner at Pawkins's, had seen the earl, and explained tohim that he could not leave town till the Saturday evening; but thathe could remain over the Tuesday. He must be at his office by twelveon Wednesday, and could manage to do that by an early train fromGuestwick. 

"Very well, Johnny, " said the earl, talking to his young friend withthe bedroom candle in his hand, as he was going up to dress. "ThenI'll tell you what; I've been thinking of it. I'll ask Dale to comeover to dinner on Tuesday; and if he'll come, I'll explain the wholematter to him myself. He's a man of business, and he'll understand. If he won't come, why then you must go over to Allington, and findhim, if you can, on the Tuesday morning; or I'll go to him myself, which will be better. You mustn't keep me now, as I am ever so muchtoo late. "

Eames did not attempt to keep him, but went away feeling that thewhole matter was being arranged for him in a very wonderful way. Andwhen he got to Allington he found that the squire had accepted theearl's invitation. Then he declared to himself that there was nolonger any possibility of retractation for him. Of course he did notwish to retract. The one great longing of his life was to call LilyDale his own. But he felt afraid of the squire, --that the squirewould despise him and snub him, and that the earl would perceive thathe had made a mistake when he saw how his client was scorned andsnubbed. It was arranged that the earl was to take the squire intohis own room for a few minutes before dinner, and Johnny felt that hewould be hardly able to stand his ground in the drawing-room when thetwo old men should make their appearance together. 

He got on very well with Lady Julia, who gave herself no airs, andmade herself very civil. Her brother had told her the whole story, and she felt as anxious as he did to provide Lily with anotherhusband in place of that horrible man Crosbie. "She has been veryfortunate in her escape, " she said to her brother; "very fortunate. "The earl agreed with this, saying that in his opinion his ownfavourite Johnny would make much the nicer lover of the two. But LadyJulia had her doubts as to Lily's acquiescence. "But, Theodore, hemust not speak to Miss Lilian Dale herself about it yet a while. "

"No, " said the earl, "not for a month or so. "

"He will have a better chance if he can remain silent for sixmonths, " said Lady Julia. 

"Bless my soul! somebody else will have picked her up before that, "said the earl. 

In answer to this Lady Julia merely shook her head. 

Johnny went over to his mother on Christmas Day after church, and wasreceived by her and by his sister with great honour. And she gavehim many injunctions as to his behaviour at the earl's table, evendescending to small details about his boots and linen. But Johnny hadalready begun to feel at the Manor that, after all, people are not sovery different in their ways of life as they are supposed to be. LadyJulia's manners were certainly not quite those of Mrs Roper; but shemade the tea very much in the way in which it was made at BurtonCrescent, and Eames found that he could eat his egg, at any rate onthe second morning, without any tremor in his hand, in spite of thecoronet on the silver egg-cup. He did feel himself to be rather outof his place in the Manor pew on the Sunday, conceiving that all thecongregation was looking at him; but he got over this on ChristmasDay, and sat quite comfortably in his soft corner during the sermon, almost going to sleep. And when he walked with the earl after churchto the gate over which the noble peer had climbed in his agony, andinspected the hedge through which he had thrown himself, he was quiteat home with his little jokes, bantering his august companion as tothe mode of his somersault. But be it always remembered that thereare two modes in which a young man may be free and easy with hiselder and superior, --the mode pleasant and the mode offensive. Had itbeen in Johnny's nature to try the latter, the earl's back would soonhave been up, and the play would have been over. But it was not inJohnny's nature to do so, and therefore it was that the earl likedhim. 

At last came the hour of dinner on Tuesday, or at least the hour atwhich the squire had been asked to show himself at the Manor House. Eames, as by agreement with his patron, did not come down so as toshow himself till after the interview. Lady Julia, who had beenpresent at their discussions, had agreed to receive the squire; andthen a servant was to ask him to step into the earl's own room. Itwas pretty to see the way in which the three conspired together, planning and plotting with an eagerness that was beautifully greenand fresh. 

"He can be as cross as an old stick when he likes it, " said the earl, speaking of the squire, "and we must take care not to rub him thewrong way. "

"I shan't know what to say to him when I come down, " said Johnny. 

"Just shake hands with him and don't say anything, " said Lady Julia. 

"I'll give him some port wine that ought to soften his heart, " saidthe earl, "and then we'll see how he is in the evening. "

Eames heard the wheels of the squire's little open carriage andtrembled. The squire, unconscious of all schemes, soon found himselfwith Lady Julia, and within two minutes of his entrance was walkedoff to the earl's private room. "Certainly, " he said, "certainly";and followed the man-servant. The earl, as he entered, was standingin the middle of the room, and his round rosy face was a picture ofgood-humour. 

"I'm very glad you've come, Dale, " said he. "I've something I want tosay to you. "

Mr Dale, who neither in heart nor in manner was so light a man asthe earl, took the proffered hand of his host, and bowed his headslightly, signifying that he was willing to listen to anything. 

"I think I told you, " continued the earl, "that young John Eames isdown here; but he goes back to-morrow, as they can't spare him at hisoffice. He's a very good fellow, --as far as I am able to judge, anuncommonly good young man. I've taken a great fancy to him myself. "

In answer to this Mr Dale did not say much. He sat down, and in somegeneral terms expressed his good-will towards all the Eames family. 

"As you know, Dale, I'm a very bad hand at talking, and thereforeI won't beat about the bush in what I've got to say at present. Ofcourse we've all heard of that scoundrel Crosbie, and the way he hastreated your niece Lilian. "

"He is a scoundrel, --an unmixed scoundrel. But the less we say aboutthat the better. It is ill mentioning a girl's name in such a matteras that. "

"But, my dear Dale, I must mention it at the present moment. Dearyoung child, I would do anything to comfort her! And I hope thatsomething may be done to comfort her. Do you know that that young manwas in love with her long before Crosbie ever saw her?"

"What;--John Eames!"

"Yes, John Eames. And I wish heartily for his sake that he had wonher regard before she had met that rascal whom you had to stay downat your house. "

"A man cannot help these things, De Guest, " said the squire. 

"No, no, no! There are such men about the world, and it is impossibleto know them at a glance. He was my nephew's friend, and I am notgoing to say that my nephew was in fault. But I wish, --I only saythat I wish, --she had first known what are this young man's feelingstowards her. "

"But she might not have thought of him as you do. "

"He is an uncommonly good-looking young fellow; straight made, broadin the chest, with a good, honest eye, and a young man's propercourage. He has never been taught to give himself airs like a dancingmonkey; but I think he's all the better for that. "

"But it's too late now, De Guest. "

"No, no; that's just where it is. It mustn't be too late! That childis not to lose her whole life because a villain has played her false. Of course she'll suffer. Just at present it wouldn't do, I suppose, to talk to her about a new sweetheart. But, Dale, the time will come;the time will come;--the time always does come. "

"It has never come to you and me, " said the squire, with theslightest possible smile on his dry cheeks. The story of theirlives had been so far the same; each had loved, and each had beendisappointed, and then each had remained single through life. 

"Yes, it has, " said the earl, with no slight touch of feeling andeven of romance in what he said. "We have retricked our beams in ourown ways, and our lives have not been desolate. But for her, --you andher mother will look forward to see her married some day. "

"I have not thought about it. "

"But I want you to think about it. I want to interest you in thisfellow's favour; and in doing so, I mean to be very open with you. Isuppose you'll give her something?"

"I don't know, I'm sure, " said the squire almost offended at aninquiry of such a nature. 

"Well, then, whether you do or not, I'll give him something, " saidthe earl. "I shouldn't have ventured to meddle in the matter had Inot intended to put myself in such a position with reference to himas would justify me in asking the question. " And the peer as he spokedrew himself up to his full height. "If such a match can be made, itshall not be a bad marriage for your niece in a pecuniary point ofview. I shall have pleasure in giving to him; but I shall have morepleasure if she can share what I give. "

"She ought to be very much obliged to you, " said the squire. 

"I think she would be if she knew young Eames. I hope the day maycome when she will be so. I hope that you and I may see them happytogether, and that you too may thank me for having assisted in makingthem so. Shall we go in to Lady Julia now?" The earl had felt that hehad not quite succeeded; that his offer had been accepted somewhatcoldly, and had not much hope that further good could be done on thatday, even with the help of his best port wine. 

"Half a moment, " said the squire. "There are matters as to which Inever find myself able to speak quickly, and this certainly seems tobe one of them. If you will allow me I will think over what you havesaid, and then see you again. "

"Certainly, certainly. "

"But for your own part in the matter, for your great generosity andkind heart, I beg to offer you my warmest thanks. " Then the squirebowed low, and preceded the earl out of the room. 

Lord De Guest still felt that he had not succeeded. We may probablysay, looking at the squire's character and peculiarities, that nomarked success was probable at the first opening-out of such asubject. He had said of himself that he was never able to speakquickly in matters of moment; but he would more correctly havedescribed his own character had he declared that he could not thinkof them quickly. As it was, the earl was disappointed; but had hebeen able to read the squire's mind, his disappointment would havebeen less strong. Mr Dale knew well enough that he was being treatedwell, and that the effort being made was intended with kindnessto those belonging to him; but it was not in his nature to bedemonstrative and quick at expressions of gratitude. So he enteredthe drawing-room with a cold, placid face, leading Eames, and LadyJulia also, to suppose that no good had been done. 

"How do you do, sir?" said Johnny, walking up to him in a wild sortof manner, --going through a premeditated lesson, but doing it withoutany presence of mind. 

"How do you do, Eames?" said the squire, speaking with a very coldvoice. And then there was nothing further said till the dinner wasannounced. 

"Dale, I know you drink port, " said the earl when Lady Julia leftthem. "If you say you don't like that, I shall say you know nothingabout it. "

"Ah! that's the '20, " said the squire, tasting it. 

"I should rather think it is, " said the earl. "I was lucky enough toget it early, and it hasn't been moved for thirty years. I like togive it to a man who knows it, as you do, at the first glance. Nowthere's my friend Johnny there; it's thrown away upon him. "

"No, my lord, it is not. I think it's uncommonly nice. "

"Uncommonly nice! So is champagne, or ginger-beer, or lollipops, --forthose who like them. Do you mean to tell me you can taste wine withhalf a pickled orange in your mouth?"

"It'll come to him soon enough, " said the squire. 

"Twenty port won't come to him when he is as old as we are, " said theearl, forgetting that by that time sixty port will be as wonderful tothe then living seniors of the age as was his own pet vintage to him. 

The good wine did in some sort soften the squire; but, as a matter ofcourse, nothing further was said as to the new matrimonial scheme. The earl did observe, however, that Mr Dale was civil, and even kind, to his own young friend, asking a question here and there as to hislife in London, and saying something about the work at the Income-taxOffice. 

"It is hard work, " said Eames. "If you're under the line, they makea great row about it, send for you, and look at you as though you'dbeen robbing the bank; but they think nothing of keeping you tillfive. "

"But how long do you have for lunch and reading the papers?" said theearl. 

"Not ten minutes. We take a paper among twenty of us for half theday. That's exactly nine minutes to each; and as for lunch, we onlyhave a biscuit dipped in ink. "

"Dipped in ink!" said the squire. 

"It comes to that, for you have to be writing while you munch it. "

"I hear all about you, " said the earl; "Sir Raffle Buffle is an oldcrony of mine. "

"I don't suppose he ever heard my name as yet, " said Johnny. "But doyou really know him well, Lord De Guest?"

"Haven't seen him these thirty years; but I did know him. "

"We call him old Huffle Scuffle. "

"Huffle Scuffle! Ha, ha, ha! He always was Huffle Scuffle; a noisy, pretentious, empty-headed fellow. But I oughtn't to say so beforeyou, young man. Come, we'll go into the drawing-room. "

"And what did he say?" asked Lady Julia, as soon as the squire wasgone. 

There was no attempt at concealment, and the question was asked inJohnny's presence. 

"Well, he did not say much. And coming from him, that ought to betaken as a good sign. He is to think of it, and let me see him again. You hold your head up, Johnny, and remember that you shan't want afriend on your side. Faint heart never won fair lady. "

At seven o'clock on the following morning Eames started on his returnjourney, and was at his desk at twelve o'clock, as per agreement withhis taskmaster at the Income-tax Office. 

CHAPTER XXXIV

The Combat

I have said that John Eames was at his office punctually at twelve;but an incident had happened before his arrival there very importantin the annals which are now being told, --so important that itis essentially necessary that it should be described with someminuteness of detail. 

Lord De Guest, in the various conversations which he had had withEames as to Lily Dale and her present position, had always spokenof Crosbie with the most vehement abhorrence. "He is a damnedblackguard, " said the earl, and the fire had come out of his roundeyes as he spoke. Now the earl was by no means given to cursing andswearing, in the sense which is ordinarily applied to these words. When he made use of such a phrase as that quoted above, it was to bepresumed that he in some sort meant what he said; and so he did, andhad intended to signify that Crosbie by his conduct had merited allsuch condemnation as was the fitting punishment for blackguardism ofthe worst description. 

"He ought to have his neck broken, " said Johnny. 

"I don't know about that, " said the earl. "The present times havebecome so pretty behaved that corporal punishment seems to have goneout of fashion. I shouldn't care so much about that, if any otherpunishment had taken its place. But it seems to me that a blackguardsuch as Crosbie can escape now altogether unscathed. "

"He hasn't escaped yet, " said Johnny. 

"Don't you go and put your finger in the pie and make a fool ofyourself, " said the earl. If it had behoved any one to resent in anyviolent fashion the evil done by Crosbie, Bernard Dale, the earl'snephew, should have been the avenger. This the earl felt, but underthese circumstances he was disposed to think that there should be nosuch violent vengeance. "Things were different when I was young, " hesaid to himself. But Eames gathered from the earl's tone that theearl's words were not strictly in accordance with his thoughts, andhe declared to himself over and over again that Crosbie had not yetescaped. 

He got into the train at Guestwick, taking a first-class ticket, because the earl's groom in livery was in attendance upon him. Hadhe been alone he would have gone in a cheaper carriage. Very weak inhim, was it not? little also, and mean? My friend, can you say thatyou would not have done the same at his age? Are you quite sure thatyou would not do the same now that you are double his age? Be that asit may, Johnny Eames did that foolish thing, and gave the groom inlivery half-a-crown into the bargain. 

"We shall have you down again soon, Mr John, " said the groom, whoseemed to understand that Mr Eames was to be made quite at home atthe manor. 

He went fast to sleep in the carriage, and did not awake till thetrain was stopped at the Barchester Junction. 

"Waiting for the up-train from Barchester, sir, " said the guard. "They're always late. " Then he went to sleep again, and was arousedin a few minutes by some one entering the carriage in a great hurry. The branch train had come in, just as the guardians of the line thenpresent had made up their minds that the passengers on the main lineshould not be kept waiting any longer. The transfer of men, women, and luggage was therefore made in great haste, and they who werenow taking their new seats had hardly time to look about them. Anold gentleman, very red about the gills, first came into Johnny'scarriage, which up to that moment he had shared with an old lady. The old gentleman was abusing everybody, because he was hurried, andwould not take himself well into the compartment, but stuck in thedoorway, standing on the step. 

"Now, sir, when you're quite at leisure, " said a voice behind the oldman, which instantly made Eames start up in his seat. 

"I'm not at all at leisure, " said the old man; "and I'm not going tobreak my legs if I know it. "

"Take your time, sir, " said the guard. 

"So I mean, " said the old man, seating himself in the corner nearestto the open door, opposite to the old lady. Then Eames saw plainlythat it was Crosbie who had first spoken, and that he was gettinginto the carriage. 

Crosbie at the first glance saw no one but the old gentleman and theold lady, and he immediately made for the unoccupied corner seat. He was busy with his umbrella and his dressing-bag, and a littleflustered by the pushing and hurrying. The carriage was actuallyin motion before he perceived that John Eames was opposite to him:Eames had, instinctively, drawn up his legs so as not to touch him. He felt that he had become very red in the face, and to tell thetruth, the perspiration had broken out upon his brow. It was agreat occasion, --great in its imminent trouble, and great in itsopportunity for action. How was he to carry himself at the firstmoment of his recognition by his enemy, and what was he to doafterwards?

It need hardly be explained that Crosbie had also been spending hisChristmas with a certain earl of his acquaintance, and that he toowas returning to his office. In one respect he had been much morefortunate than poor Eames, for he had been made happy with the smilesof his lady love. Alexandrina and the countess had fluttered abouthim softly, treating him as a tame chattel, now belonging to thenoble house of de Courcy, and in this way he had been initiated intothe inner domesticities of that illustrious family. The two extramen-servants, hired to wait upon Lady Dumbello, had vanished. Thechampagne had ceased to flow in a perennial stream. Lady Rosina hadcome out from her solitude, and had preached at him constantly. LadyMargaretta had given him some lessons in economy. The HonourableJohn, in spite of a late quarrel, had borrowed five pounds from him. The Honourable George had engaged to come and stay with his sisterduring the next May. The earl had used a father-in-law's privilege, and had called him a fool. Lady Alexandrina had told him more thanonce, in rather a tart voice, that this must be done, and that thatmust be done; and the countess had given him her orders as thoughit was his duty, in the course of nature, to obey every word thatfell from her. Such had been his Christmas delights; and now, as hereturned back from the enjoyment of them, he found himself confrontedin the railway carriage with Johnny Eames. 

The eyes of the two met, and Crosbie made a slight inclination ofthe head. To this Eames gave no acknowledgment whatever, but lookedstraight into the other's face. Crosbie immediately saw that theywere not to know each other, and was well contented that it should beso. Among all his many troubles, the enmity of John Eames did not gofor much. He showed no appearance of being disconcerted, though ourfriend had shown much. He opened his bag, and taking out a book, wassoon deeply engaged in it, pursuing his studies as though the manopposite was quite unknown to him. I will not say that his mind didnot run away from his book, for indeed there were many things ofwhich he found it impossible not to think; but it did not revert toJohn Eames. Indeed, when the carriages reached Paddington, he had intruth all but forgotten him; and as he stepped out of the carriage, with his bag in his hand, was quite free from any remotest trouble onhis account. 

But it had not been so with Eames himself. Every moment of thejourney had, for him been crowded with thought as to what he would donow that chance had brought his enemy within his reach. He had beenmade quite wretched by the intensity of his thinking; and yet, whenthe carriages stopped, he had not made up his mind. His face had beencovered with perspiration ever since Crosbie had come across him, andhis limbs had hardly been under his own command. Here had come to hima great opportunity, and he felt so little confidence in himself thathe almost knew that he would not use it properly. Twice and thricehe had almost flown at Crosbie's throat in the carriage, but he wasrestrained by an idea that the world and the police would be againsthim if he did such a thing in the presence of that old lady. 

But when Crosbie turned his back upon him, and walked out, it wasabsolutely necessary that he should do something. He was not going tolet the man escape, after all that he had said as to the expediencyof thrashing him. Any other disgrace would be preferable to that. Fearing, therefore, lest his enemy should be too quick for him, hehurried out after him, and only just gave Crosbie time to turn roundand face the carriages, before he was upon him. "You confoundedscoundrel!" he screamed out. "You confounded scoundrel!" and seizedhim by the throat, throwing himself upon him, and almost devouringhim by the fury of his eyes. 

The crowd upon the platform was not very dense, but there were quiteenough of people to make a very respectable audience for this littleplay. Crosbie, in his dismay, retreated a step or two, and hisretreat was much accelerated by the weight of Eames's attack. Heendeavoured to free his throat from his foe's grasp; but in that hefailed entirely. For the minute, however, he did manage to escape anypositive blow, owing his safety in that respect rather to Eames'sawkwardness than to his own efforts. Something about the police hewas just able to utter, and there was, as a matter of course, animmediate call for a supply of those functionaries. In about threeminutes three policemen, assisted by six porters, had captured ourpoor friend Johnny; but this had not been done quick enough forCrosbie's purposes. The bystanders, taken by surprise, had allowedthe combatants to fall back upon Mr Smith's book-stall, and thereEames laid his foe prostrate among the newspapers, falling himselfinto the yellow shilling-novel depot by the over fury of his ownenergy; but as he fell, he contrived to lodge one blow with his fistin Crosbie's right eye, --one telling blow; and Crosbie had, to allintents and purposes, been thrashed. 

"Con-founded scoundrel, rascal, blackguard!" shouted Johnny, withwhat remnants of voice were left to him, as the police dragged himoff. "If you only knew--what he's--done. " But in the meantime thepolicemen held him fast. 

As a matter of course the first burst of public sympathy went withCrosbie. He had been assaulted, and the assault had come from Eames. In the British bosom there is so firm a love of well-constitutedorder, that these facts alone were sufficient to bring twenty knightsto the assistance of the three policemen and the six porters; so thatfor Eames, even had he desired it, there was no possible chance ofescape. But he did not desire it. One only sorrow consumed him atpresent. He had, as he felt, attacked Crosbie, but had attackedhim in vain. He had had his opportunity, and had misused it. Hewas perfectly unconscious of that happy blow, and was in absoluteignorance of the great fact that his enemy's eye was already swollenand closed, and that in another hour it would be as black as his hat. 

"He is a con-founded rascal!" ejaculated Eames, as the policemen andporters hauled him about. "You don't know what he's done. "

"No, we don't, " said the senior constable; "but we know what you havedone. I say, Bushers, where's that gentleman? He'd better come alongwith us. "

Crosbie had been picked up from among the newspapers by anotherpoliceman and two or three other porters, and was attended also bythe guard of the train, who knew him, and knew that he had come upfrom Courcy Castle. Three or four hangers-on were standing alsoaround him, together with a benevolent medical man who was proposingto him an immediate application of leeches. If he could have doneas he wished, he would have gone his way quietly, allowing Eames todo the same. A great evil had befallen him, but he could in no waymitigate that evil by taking the law of the man who had attacked him. To have the thing as little talked about as possible should be hisendeavour. What though he should have Eames locked up and fined, andscolded by a police magistrate? That would not in any degree lessenhis calamity. If he could have parried the attack, and got the betterof his foe; if he could have administered the black eye instead ofreceiving it, then indeed he could have laughed the matter off at hisclub, and his original crime would have been somewhat glozed over byhis success in arms. But such good fortune had not been his. He wasforced, however, on the moment to decide as to what he would do. 

"We've got him here in custody, sir, " said Bushers, touching his hat. It had become known from the guard that Crosbie was somewhat of a bigman, a frequent guest at Courcy Castle, and of repute and station inthe higher regions of the Metropolitan world. "The magistrates willbe sitting at Paddington, now, sir, --or will be by the time we getthere. "

By this time some mighty railway authority had come upon the sceneand made himself cognisant of the facts of the row, --a stern officialwho seemed to carry the weight of many engines on his brow; one atthe very sight of whom smokers would drop their cigars, and portersclose their fists against sixpences; a great man with an erect chin, a quick step, and a well-brushed hat powerful with an elaboratelyupturned brim. This was the platform-superintendent, dominant evenover the policemen. 

"Step into my room, Mr Crosbie, " he said. "Stubbs, bring that manin with you. " And then, before Crosbie had been able to make uphis mind as to any other line of conduct, he found himself in thesuperintendent's room, accompanied by the guard, and by the twopolicemen who conducted Johnny Eames between them. 

"What's all this?" said the superintendent, still keeping on his hat, for he was aware how much of the excellence of his personal dignitywas owing to the arrangement of that article; and as he spoke hefrowned upon the culprit with his utmost severity. "Mr Crosbie, I amvery sorry that you should have been exposed to such brutality on ourplatform. "

"You don't know what he has done, " said Johnny. "He is the mostconfounded scoundrel living. He has broken--" But then he stoppedhimself. He was going to tell the superintendent that the confoundedscoundrel had broken a beautiful young lady's heart; but he bethoughthimself that he would not allude more specially to Lily Dale in thathearing. 

"Do you know who he is, Mr Crosbie?" said the superintendent. 

"Oh, yes, " said Crosbie, whose eye was already becoming blue. "He isa clerk in the Income-tax Office, and his name is Eames. I believeyou had better leave him to me. "

But the superintendent at once wrote down the words "Income-taxOffice--Eames, " on his tablet. "We can't allow a row like that totake place on our platform and not notice it. I shall bring it beforethe directors. It's a most disgraceful affair, Mr Eames--mostdisgraceful. "

But Johnny by this time had perceived that Crosbie's eye was in astate which proved satisfactorily that his morning's work had notbeen thrown away, and his spirits were rising accordingly. He did notcare two straws for the superintendent or even for the policemen, ifonly the story could be made to tell well for himself hereafter. Itwas his object to have thrashed Crosbie, and now, as he looked at hisenemy's face, he acknowledged that Providence had been good to him. 

"That's your opinion, " said Johnny. 

"Yes, sir, it is, " said the superintendent; "and I shall know how torepresent the matter to your superiors, young man. "

"You don't know all about it, " said Eames; "and I don't suppose youever will. I had made up my mind what I'd do the first time I sawthat scoundrel there; and now I've done it. He'd have got much worsein the railway carriage, only there was a lady there. "

"Mr Crosbie, I really think we had better take him before themagistrates. "

To this, however, Crosbie objected. He assured the superintendentthat he would himself know how to deal with the matter--which, however, was exactly what he did not know. Would the superintendentallow one of the railway servants to get a cab for him, and to findhis luggage? He was very anxious to get home without being subjectedto any more of Mr Eames's insolence. 

"You haven't done with Mr Eames's insolence yet, I can tell you. AllLondon shall hear of it, and shall know why. If you have any shame inyou, you shall be ashamed to show your face. "

Unfortunate man! Who can say that punishment, --adequatepunishment, --had not overtaken him? For the present, he had to sneakhome with a black eye, with the knowledge inside him that he had beenwhipped by a clerk in the Income-tax Office; and for the future--hewas bound over to marry Lady Alexandrina de Courcy!

He got himself smuggled off in a cab, without being forced to goagain upon the platform--his luggage being brought to him by twoassiduous porters. But in all this there was very little balm for hishurt pride. As he ordered the cabman to drive to Mount Street, hefelt that he had ruined himself by that step in life which he hadtaken at Courcy Castle. Whichever way he looked he had no comfort. "D---- the fellow!" he said, almost out loud in the cab; but thoughhe did with his outward voice allude to Eames, the curse in his innerthoughts was uttered against himself. 

Johnny was allowed to make his way down to the platform, and therefind his own carpet-bag. One young porter, however, came up andfraternised with him. 

"You guve it him tidy just at that last moment, sir. But, laws, sir, you should have let out at him at fust. What's the use of clawing aman's neck-collar?"

It was then a quarter past eleven, but, nevertheless, Eames appearedat his office precisely at twelve. 

CHAPTER XXXV

Væ Victis

Crosbie had two engagements for that day; one being his naturalengagement to do his work at his office, and the other an engagement, which was now very often becoming as natural, to dine at St. John'sWood with Lady Amelia Gazebee. It was manifest to him when helooked at himself in the glass hat he could keep neither of theseengagements. "Oh, laws, Mr Crosbie, " the woman of the house exclaimedwhen she saw him. 

"Yes, I know, " said he. "I've had an accident and got a black eye. What's a good thing for it?"

"Oh! an accident!" said the woman, who knew well that that mark hadbeen made by another man's fist. "They do say that a bit of raw beefis about the best thing. But then it must be held on constant all themorning. "

Anything would be better than leeches, which tell long-enduringtales, and therefore Crosbie sat through the greater part of themorning holding the raw beef to his eye. But it was necessary thathe should write two notes as he held it, one to Mr Butterwell at hisoffice, and the other to his future sister-in-law. He felt that itwould hardly be wise to attempt any entire concealment of the natureof his catastrophe, as some of the circumstances would assuredlybecome known. If he said that he had fallen over the coal-scuttle, oron to the fender, thereby cutting his face, people would learn thathe had fibbed, and would learn also that he had had some reason forfibbing. Therefore he constructed his notes with a phraseology thatbound him to no details. To Butterwell he said that he had had anaccident, --or rather a row, --and that he had come out of it withconsiderable damage to his frontispiece. He intended to be at theoffice on the next day, whether able to appear decently there or not. But for the sake of decency he thought it well to give himself thatone half-day's chance. Then to the Lady Amelia he also said that hehad had an accident, and had been a little hurt. "It is nothing atall serious, and affects only my appearance, so that I had betterremain in for a day. I shall certainly be with you on Sunday. Don'tlet Gazebee trouble himself to come to me, as I shan't be at homeafter to-day. " Gazebee did trouble himself to come to Mount Street sooften, and South Audley Street, in which was Mr Gazebee's office, wasso disagreeably near to Mount Street, that Crosbie inserted this inorder to protect himself if possible. Then he gave special ordersthat he was to be at home to no one, fearing that Gazebee would callfor him after the hours of business--to make him safe and carry himoff bodily to St. John's Wood. 

The beefsteak and the dose of physic and the cold-water applicationwhich was kept upon it all night was not efficacious in dispellingthat horrid, black-blue colour by ten o'clock on the followingmorning. 

"It certainly have gone down, Mr Crosbie; it certainly have, " saidthe mistress of the lodgings, touching the part affected with herfinger. "But the black won't go out of them all in a minute; it won'tindeed. Couldn't you just stay in one more day?"

"But will one day do it, Mrs Phillips?"

Mrs Phillips couldn't take upon herself to say that it would. "Theymostly come with little red streaks across the black before they goesaway, " said Mrs Phillips, who would seem to have been the wife of aprize-fighter, so well was she acquainted with black eyes. 

"And that won't be till to-morrow, " said Crosbie, affecting to bemirthful in his agony. 

"Not till the third day;--and then they wears themselves out, gradual. I never knew leeches do any good. "

He stayed at home the second day, and then resolved that he wouldgo to his office, black eye and all. In that morning's newspaper hesaw an account of the whole transaction, saying how Mr C---- of theoffice of General Committees, who was soon about to lead to thehymeneal altar the beautiful daughter of the Earl de C----, had beenmade the subject of a brutal personal attack on the platform of theGreat Western Railway Station, and how he was confined to his roomfrom the injuries which he had received. The paragraph went on tostate that the delinquent had, as it was believed, dared to raisehis eyes to the same lady, and that his audacity had been treatedwith scorn by every member of the noble family in question. "It was, however, satisfactory to know, " so said the newspaper, "that MrC---- had amply avenged himself, and had so flogged the young manin question, that he had been unable to stir from his bed since theoccurrence. "

On reading this Crosbie felt that it would be better that he shouldshow himself at once, and tell as much of the truth as the worldwould be likely to ascertain at last without his telling. So on thatthird morning he put on his hat and gloves, and had himself takento his office, though the red-streaky period of his misfortune hadhardly even yet come upon him. The task of walking along the officepassage, through the messengers' lobby, and into his room, was verydisagreeable. Of course everybody looked at him, and, of course, he failed in his attempt to appear as though he did not mind it. "Boggs, " he said to one of the men as he passed by, "just see if MrButterwell is in his room, " and then, as he expected, Mr Butterwellcame to him after the expiration of a few minutes. 

"Upon my word, that is serious, " said Mr Butterwell, looking into thesecretary's damaged face. "I don't think I would have come out if Ihad been you. "

"Of course it's disagreeable, " said Crosbie; "but it's better to putup with it. Fellows do tell such horrid lies if a man isn't seen fora day or two. I believe it's best to put a good face upon it. "

"That's more than you can do just at present, eh, Crosbie?" And thenMr Butterwell tittered. "But how on earth did it happen? The papersays that you pretty well killed the fellow who did it. "

"The paper lies, as papers always do. I didn't touch him at all. "

"Didn't you, though? I should like to have had a poke at him aftergetting such a tap in the face as that. "

"The policemen came, and all that sort of thing. One isn't allowedto fight it out in a row of that kind as one would have to do onSalisbury heath. Not that I mean to say that I could lick the fellow. How's a man to know whether he can or not?"

"How, indeed, unless he gets a licking, --or gives it? But who was he, and what's this about his having been scorned by the noble family?"

"Trash and lies, of course. He had never seen any of the de Courcypeople. "

"I suppose the truth is, it was about that other--eh, Crosbie? I knewyou'd find yourself in some trouble before you'd done. "

"I don't know what it was about, or why he should have made such abrute of himself. You have heard about those people at Allington?"

"Oh, yes; I have heard about them. "

"God knows, I didn't mean to say anything against them. They knewnothing about it. "

"But the young fellow knew them? Ah, yes, I see all about it. Hewants to step into your shoes. I can't say that he sets about it in abad way. But what do you mean to do?"

"Nothing. "

"Nothing! Won't that look queer? I think I should have him before themagistrates. "

"You see, Butterwell, I am bound to spare that girl's name. I know Ihave behaved badly. "

"Well, yes; I fear you have. "

Mr Butterwell said this with some considerable amount of decision inhis voice, as though he did not intend to mince matters, or in anyway to hide his opinion. Crosbie had got into a way of condemninghimself in this matter of his marriage, but was very anxious thatothers, on hearing such condemnation from him, should say somethingin the way of palliating his fault. It would be so easy for a friendto remark that such little peccadilloes were not altogether uncommon, and that it would sometimes happen in life that people did not knowtheir own minds. He had hoped for some such benevolence from FowlerPratt, but had hoped in vain. Butterwell was a good-natured, easyman, anxious to stand well with all about him, never pretending toany very high tone of feeling or of morals; and yet Butterwell wouldsay no word of comfort to him. He could get no one to slur over hissin for him, as though it were no sin, --only an unfortunate mistake;no one but the de Courcys, who had, as it were, taken, possession ofhim and swallowed him alive. 

"It can't be helped now, " said Crosbie. "But as for that fellow whomade such a brutal attack on me the other morning, he knows that heis safe behind her petticoats. I can do nothing which would not makesome mention of her name necessary. "

"Ah, yes; I see, " said Butterwell. "It's very unfortunate; very. Idon't know that I can do anything for you. Will you come before theBoard to-day?"

"Yes; of course I shall, " said Crosbie, who was becoming verysore. His sharp ear had told him that all Butterwell's respect andcordiality were gone, --at any rate for the time. Butterwell, thoughholding the higher official rank, had always been accustomed to treathim as though he, the inferior, were to be courted. He had possessed, and had known himself to possess, in his office as well as in theoutside world, a sort of rank much higher than that which from hisposition he could claim legitimately. Now he was being deposed. Therecould be no better touchstone in such a matter than Butterwell. Hewould go as the world went, but he would perceive almost intuitivelyhow the world intended to go. "Tact, tact, tact, " as he was in thehabit of saying to himself when walking along the paths of his Putneyvilla. Crosbie was now secretary, whereas a few months before he hadbeen simply a clerk; but, nevertheless, Mr Butterwell's instincttold him that Crosbie had fallen. Therefore he declined to offer anysympathy to the man in his misfortune, and felt aware, as he leftthe secretary's room, that it might probably be some time before hevisited it again. 

Crosbie resolved in his soreness that henceforth he would brazen itout. He would go to the Board, with as much indifference as to hisblack eye as he was able to assume, and if any one said aught to himhe would be ready with his answer. He would go to his club, and lethim who intended to show him any slight beware of him in his wrath. He could not turn upon John Eames, but he could turn upon others ifit were necessary. He had not gained for himself a position beforethe world, and held it now for some years, to allow himself to becrushed at once because he had made a mistake. If the world, hisworld, chose to go to war with him, he would be ready for the fight. As for Butterwell, --Butterwell the incompetent, Butterwell thevapid, --for Butterwell, who in every little official difficulty hadfor years past come to him, he would let Butterwell know what it wasto be thus disloyal to one who had condescended to be his friend. Hewould show them all at the Board that he scorned them, and could betheir master. Then, too, as he was making some other resolves as tohis future conduct, he made one or two resolutions respecting the deCourcy people. He would make it known to them that he was not goingto be their very humble servant. He would speak out his mind withconsiderable plainness; and if upon that they should choose to breakoff this "alliance, " they might do so; he would not break his heart. And as he leaned back in his arm chair, thinking of all this, an ideamade its way into his brain, --a floating castle in the air, ratherthan the image of a thing that might by possibility be realised; andin this castle in the air he saw himself kneeling again at Lily'sfeet, asking her pardon, and begging that he might once more be takento her heart. 

"Mr Crosbie is here to-day, " said Mr Butterwell to Mr Optimist. 

"Oh, indeed, " said Mr Optimist, very gravely; for he had heard allabout the row at the railway station. 

"They've made a monstrous show of him. "

"I am very sorry to hear it. It's so--so--so-- If it were one of theyounger clerks, you know, we should tell him that it wasdiscreditable to the department. "

"If a man gets a blow in the eye, he can't help it, you know. Hedidn't do it himself, I suppose, " said Major Fiasco. 

"I am well aware that he didn't do it himself, " continued MrOptimist; "but I really think that, in his position, he should havekept himself out of any such encounter. "

"He would have done so if he could, with all his heart, " said themajor. "I don't suppose he liked being thrashed any better than Ishould. "

"Nobody gives me a black eye, " said Mr Optimist. 

"Nobody has as yet, " said the major. 

"I hope they never will, " said Mr Butterwell. Then, the hour fortheir meeting having come round, Mr Crosbie came into the Board-room. 

"We have been very sorry to hear of this misfortune, " said MrOptimist, very gravely. 

"Not half so sorry as I have been, " said Crosbie, with a laugh. "It'san uncommon nuisance to have a black eye, and to go about lookinglike a prize-fighter. "

"And like a prize-fighter that didn't win his battle, too, " saidFiasco. 

"I don't know that there's much difference as to that, " said Crosbie. "But the whole thing is a nuisance, and, if you please, we won't sayanything more about it. "

Mr Optimist almost entertained an opinion that it was his duty to saysomething more about it. Was not he the chief Commissioner, and wasnot Mr Crosbie secretary to the Board? Ought he, looking at theirrespective positions, to pass over without a word of notice such amanifest impropriety as this? Would not Sir Raffle Buffle have saidsomething had Mr Butterwell, when secretary, come to the office witha black eye? He wished to exercise all the full rights of a chairman;but, nevertheless, as he looked at the secretary he felt embarrassed, and was unable to find the proper words. "H-m, ha, well; we'll go tobusiness now, if you please, " he said, as though reserving to himselfthe right of returning to the secretary's black eye when the moreusual business of the Board should be completed. But when the moreusual business of the Board had been completed, the secretary leftthe room without any further reference to his eye. 

Crosbie, when he got back to his own apartment, found MortimerGazebee waiting there for him. 

"My dear fellow, " said Gazebee, "this is a very nasty affair. "

"Uncommonly nasty, " said Crosbie; "so nasty that I don't mean to talkabout it to anybody. "

"Lady Amelia is quite unhappy. " He always called her Lady Amelia, even when speaking of her to his own brothers and sisters. He was toowell behaved to take the liberty of calling an earl's daughter by herplain Christian name even though that earl's daughter was his ownwife. "She fears that you have been a good deal hurt. "

"Not at all hurt; but disfigured, as you see. "

"And so you beat the fellow well that did it?"

"No, I didn't, " said Crosbie very angrily. "I didn't beat him at all. You don't believe everything you read in the newspapers, do you?"

"No, I don't believe everything. Of course I didn't believe abouthis having aspired to an alliance with Lady Alexandrina. That wasuntrue, of course. " Mr Gazebee showed by the tone of his voice thatimprudence so unparalleled as that was quite incredible. 

"You shouldn't believe anything; except this--that I have got a blackeye. "

"You certainly have got that. Lady Amelia thinks you would be morecomfortable if you would come up to us this evening. You can't goout, of course; but Lady Amelia said, very good-naturedly, that youneed not mind with her. "

"Thank you, no; I'll come on Sunday. "

"Of course Lady Alexandrina will be very anxious to hear from hersister; and Lady Amelia begged me very particularly to press you tocome. "

"Thank you, no; not to-day. "

"Why not?"

"Oh, simply because I shall be better at home. "

"How can you be better at home? You can have anything that you want. Lady Amelia won't mind, you know. "

Another beefsteak to his eye, as he sat in the drawing-room, a cold-water bandage, or any little medical appliance of thatsort;--these were the things which Lady Amelia would, in her domesticgood nature, condescend not to mind!

"I won't trouble her this evening, " said Crosbie. 

"Well, upon my word, I think you're wrong. All manner of stories willget down to Courcy Castle, and to the countess's ears; and you don'tknow what harm may come of it. Lady Amelia thinks she had betterwrite and explain it; but she can't do so till she has heardsomething about it from you. "

"Look here, Gazebee. I don't care one straw what story finds its waydown to Courcy Castle. "

"But if the earl were to hear anything, and be offended?"

"He may recover from his offence as he best likes. "

"My dear fellow; that's talking wildly, you know. "

"What on earth do you suppose the earl can do to me? Do you thinkI'm going to live in fear of Lord de Courcy all my life, because I'mgoing to marry his daughter? I shall write to Alexandrina myselfto-day, and you can tell her sister so. I'll be up to dinner onSunday, unless my face makes it altogether out of the question. "

"And you won't come in time for church?"

"Would you have me go to church with such a face as this?"

Then Mr Mortimer Gazebee went, and when he got home, he told his wifethat Crosbie was taking things with a high hand. "The fact is, mydear, that he's ashamed of himself, and therefore tries to put a boldface upon it. "

"It was very foolish of him throwing himself in the way of that youngman, --very; and so I shall tell him on Sunday. If he chooses to givehimself airs to me, I shall make him understand that he is verywrong. He should remember now that the way in which he conductshimself is a matter of moment to all our family. "

"Of course he should, " said Mr Gazebee. 

When the Sunday came the red-streaky period had arrived, but had byno means as yet passed away. The men at the office had almost becomeused to it; but Crosbie, in spite of his determination to go down tothe club, had not yet shown himself elsewhere. Of course he did notgo to church, but at five he made his appearance at the house in St. John's Wood. They always dined at five on Sundays, having some ideathat by doing so they kept the Sabbath better than they would havedone had they dined at seven. If keeping the Sabbath consists ingoing to bed early, or is in any way assisted by such a practice, they were right. To the cook that semi-early dinner might perhaps beconvenient, as it gave her an excuse for not going to church in theafternoon, as the servants' and children's dinner gave her a similarexcuse in the morning. Such little attempts at goodness, --proceedinghalf the way, or perhaps, as in this instance, one quarter of theway, on the disagreeable path towards goodness, --are very common withrespectable people, such as Lady Amelia. If she would have dined atone o'clock, and have eaten cold meat one perhaps might have feltthat she was entitled to some praise. 

"Dear, dear, dear; this is very sad, isn't it, Adolphus?" she said onfirst seeing him. 

"Well, it is sad, Amelia, " he said. He always called her Amelia, because she called him Adolphus; but Gazebee himself was neverquite pleased when he heard it. Lady Amelia was older than Crosbie, and entitled to call him anything she liked; but he should haveremembered the great difference in their rank. "It is sad, Amelia, "he said. "But will you oblige me in one thing?"

"What thing, Adolphus?"

"Not to say a word more about it. The black eye is a bad thing, nodoubt, and has troubled me much; but the sympathy of my friends hastroubled me a great deal more. I had all the family commiserationfrom Gazebee on Friday, and if it is repeated again, I shall lie downand die. "

"Shall 'Ooo die Uncle Dolphus, 'cause 'oo've got a bad eye?" asked deCourcy Gazebee, the eldest hope of the family, looking up into hisface. 

"No, my hero, " said Crosbie, taking the boy up into his arms, "notbecause I've got a black eye. There isn't very much harm in that, andyou'll have a great many before you leave school. But because thepeople will go on talking about it. "

"But aunt Dina on't like 'oo, if oo've got an ugly bad eye. "

"But, Adolphus, " said Lady Amelia, settling herself for an argument, "that's all very well, you know--and I'm sure I'm very sorry to causeyou any annoyance, --but really one doesn't know how to pass over sucha thing without speaking of it. I have had a letter from mamma. "

"I hope Lady de Courcy is quite well. "

"Quite well, thank you. But as a matter of course she is very anxiousabout this affair. She had read what has been said in the newspapers, and it may be necessary that Mortimer should take it up, as thefamily solicitor. "

"Quite out of the question, " said Adolphus. 

"I don't think I should advise any such step as that, " said Gazebee. 

"Perhaps not; very likely not. But you cannot be surprised, Mortimer, that my mother under such circumstances should wish to know what arethe facts of the case. "

"Not at all surprised, " said Gazebee. 

"Then once for all, I'll tell you the facts. As I got out of thetrain a man I'd seen once before in my life made an attack upon me, and before the police came up, I got a blow in the face. Now you knowall about it. "

At that moment dinner was announced. "Will you give Lady Amelia yourarm?" said the husband. 

"It's a very sad occurrence, " said Lady Amelia with a slight toss ofher head, "and, I'm afraid, will cost my sister a great deal ofvexation. "

"You agree with de Courcy, do you, that Aunt Dina won't like me withan ugly black eye?"

"I really don't think it's a joking matter, " said the Lady Amelia. And then there was nothing more said about it during the dinner. 

There was nothing more said about it during the dinner, but it wasplain enough from Lady Amelia's countenance that she was not verywell pleased with her future brother-in-law's conduct. She was veryhospitable to him, pressing him to eat; but even in doing that shemade repeated little references to his present unfortunate state. Shetold him that she did not think fried plum-pudding would be bad forhim, but that she would recommend him not to drink port wine afterdinner. "By-the-by, Mortimer, you'd better have some claret up, " sheremarked. "Adolphus shouldn't take anything that is heating. "

"Thank you, " said Crosbie. "I'll have some brandy-and-water, ifGazebee will give it me. "

"Brandy-and-water!" said Lady Amelia. Crosbie in truth was not givento the drinking of brandy-and-water; but he was prepared to call forraw gin, if he were driven much further by Lady Amelia's solicitude. 

At these Sunday dinners the mistress of the house never went awayinto the drawing-room, and the tea was always brought into them atthe table on which they had dined. It was another little step towardskeeping holy the first day of the week. When Lady Rosina was there, she was indulged with the sight of six or seven solid good bookswhich were laid upon the mahogany as soon as the bottles were takenoff it. At her first prolonged visit she had obtained for herself theprivilege of reading a sermon; but as on such occasions both LadyAmelia and Mr Gazebee would go to sleep, --and as the footman had alsoonce shown a tendency that way, --the sermon had been abandoned. Butthe master of the house, on these evenings, when his sister-in-lawwas present, was doomed to sit in idleness, or else to find solacein one of the solid good books. But Lady Rosina just now was in thecountry, and therefore the table was left unfurnished. 

"And what am I to say to my mother?" said Lady Amelia, when they werealone. 

"Give her my kindest regards, " said Crosbie. It was quite clear bothto the husband and to the wife, that he was preparing himself forrebellion against authority. 

For some ten minutes there was nothing said. Crosbie amused himselfby playing with the boy whom he called Dicksey, by way of a nicknamefor de Courcy. 

"Mamma, he calls me Dicksey. Am I Dicksey? I'll call 'oo old Crossand then Aunt Dina 'on't like 'oo. "

"I wish you would not call the child nicknames, Adolphus. It seems asthough you would wish to cast a slur upon the one which he bears. "

"I should hardly think that he would feel disposed to do that, " saidMr Gazebee. 

"Hardly, indeed, " said Crosbie. 

"It has never yet been disgraced in the annals of our country bybeing made into a nickname, " said the proud daughter of the house. She was probably unaware that among many of his associates her fatherhad been called Lord de Curse'ye, from the occasional energy ofhis language. "And any such attempt is painful in my ears. I thinksomething of my family, I can assure you, Adolphus, and so does myhusband. "

"A very great deal, " said Mr Gazebee. 

"So do I of mine, " said Crosbie. "That's natural to all of us. One ofmy ancestors came over with William the Conqueror. I think he was oneof the assistant cooks in the king's tent. "

"A cook!" said young de Courcy. 

"Yes, my boy, a cook. That was the way most of our old families weremade noble. They were cooks, or butlers to the kings, --or sometimessomething worse. "

"But your family isn't noble?"

"No;--I'll tell you how that was. The king wanted this cook to poisonhalf-a-dozen of his officers who wished to have a way of theirown; but the cook said, 'No, my Lord King; I am a cook, not anexecutioner. ' So they sent him into the scullery, and when theycalled all the other servants barons and lords, they only called himCookey. They've changed the name to Crosbie since that, by degrees. "

Mr Gazebee was awestruck, and the face of the Lady Amelia becamevery dark. Was it not evident that this snake, when taken into theirinnermost bosoms that they might there warm him, was becoming anadder, and preparing to sting them? There was very little moreconversation that evening, and soon after the story of the cook, Crosbie got up and went away to his own home. 

CHAPTER XXXVI

"See, the Conquering Hero Comes"

John Eames had reached his office precisely at twelve o'clock, butwhen he did so he hardly knew whether he was standing on his heelsor his head. The whole morning had been to him one of intenseexcitement, and latterly, to a certain extent, one of triumph. Buthe did not at all know what might be the results. Would he be takenbefore a magistrate and locked up? Would there be a row at theoffice? Would Crosbie call him out, and, if so, would it be incumbenton him to fight a duel with pistols? What would Lord De Guestsay--Lord De Guest, who had specially warned him not to take uponhimself the duty of avenging Lily's wrongs? What would all the Dalefamily say of his conduct? And, above all, what would Lily say andthink? Nevertheless, the feeling of triumph was predominant; and now, at this interval of time, he was beginning to remember with pleasurethe sensation of his fist as it went into Crosbie's eye. 

During his first day at the office he heard nothing about the affair, nor did he say a word of it to any one. It was known in his room thathe had gone down to spend his Christmas holiday with Lord De Guest, and he was treated with some increased consideration accordingly. And, moreover, I must explain, in order that I may give Johnny Eameshis due, he was gradually acquiring for himself a good footingamong the Income-tax officials. He knew his work, and did it withsome manly confidence in his own powers, and also with some manlyindifference to the occasional frowns of the mighty men of thedepartment. He was, moreover, popular--being somewhat of a radicalin his official demeanour, and holding by his own rights, eventhough mighty men should frown. In truth, he was emerging from hishobbledehoyhood and entering upon his young manhood, having probablyto go through much folly and some false sentiment in that period ofhis existence, but still with fair promise of true manliness beyondto those who were able to read the signs of his character. 

Many questions on that first day were asked him about the glories ofhis Christmas, but he had very little to say on the subject. Indeednothing could have been much more commonplace than his Christmasvisit, had it not been for the one great object which had taken himdown to that part of the country, and for the circumstance with whichhis holiday had been ended. On neither of these subjects was hedisposed to speak openly; but as he walked home to Burton Crescentwith Cradell, he did tell him of the affair with Crosbie. 

"And you went in at him on the station?" asked Cradell, with admiringdoubt. 

"Yes I did. If I didn't do it there, where was I to do it? I'd said Iwould, and therefore when I saw him I did it. " Then the whole affairwas told as to the black eye, the police, and the superintendent. "And what's to come next?" asked our hero. 

"Well, he'll put it in the hands of a friend, of course; as I didwith Fisher in that affair with Lupex. And, upon my word, Johnny, Ishall have to do something of the kind again. His conduct last nightwas outrageous; would you believe it--"

"Oh, he's a fool. "

"He's a fool you wouldn't like to meet when he's in one of his madfits, I can tell you that. I absolutely had to sit up in my ownbedroom all last night. Mother Roper told me that if I remained inthe drawing-room she would feel herself obliged to have a policemanin the house. What could I do, you know? I made her have a fire forme, of course. "

"And then you went to bed. "

"I waited ever so long, because I thought that Maria would want tosee me. At last she sent me a note. Maria is so imprudent, you know. If he had found anything in her writing, it would have been terrible, you know, --quite terrible. And who can say whether Jemima mayn'ttell?"

"And what did she say?"

"Come; that's tellings, Master Johnny. I took very good care to takeit with me to the office this morning, for fear of accidents. "

But Eames was not so widely awake to the importance of his friend'sadventures as he might have been had he not been weighted withadventures of his own. 

"I shouldn't care so much, " said he, "about that fellow Crosbie, going to a friend, as I should about his going to a policemagistrate. "

"He'll put it in a friend's hands, of course, " said Cradell, with theair of a man who from experience was well up in such matters. "And Isuppose you'll naturally come to me. It's a deuced bore to a man in apublic office, and all that kind of thing, of course. But I'm not theman to desert my friend. I'll stand by you, Johnny, my boy. "

"Oh, thank you, " said Eames, "I don't think that I shall want that. "

"You must be ready with a friend, you know. "

"I should write down to a man I know in the country, and ask hisadvice, " said Eames; "an older sort of friend, you know. "

"By Jove, old fellow, take care what you are about. Don'tlet them say of you that you show the white feather. Upon myhonour, I'd sooner have anything said of me than that. I would, indeed, --anything. "

"I'm not afraid of that, " said Eames, with a touch of scorn in hisvoice. "There isn't much thought about white feathers nowadays, --notin the way of fighting duels. "

After that, Cradell managed to carry back the conversation to MrsLupex and his own peculiar position, and as Eames did not care to askfrom his companion further advice in his own matters, he listenednearly in silence till they reached Burton Crescent. 

"I hope you found the noble earl well, " said Mrs Roper to him, assoon as they were all seated at dinner. 

"I found the noble earl pretty well, thank you, " said Johnny. 

It had become plainly understood by all the Roperites that Eames'sposition was quite altered since he had been honoured with thefriendship of Lord De Guest. Mrs Lupex, next to whom he always sat atdinner, with a view to protecting her as it were from the dangerousneighbourhood of Cradell, treated him with a marked courtesy. MissSpruce always called him "sir. " Mrs Roper helped him the first of thegentlemen, and was mindful about his fat and gravy, and Amelia feltless able than she was before to insist upon the possession of hisheart and affections. It must not be supposed that Amelia intended toabandon the fight, and allow the enemy to walk off with his forces;but she felt herself constrained to treat him with a deference thatwas hardly compatible with the perfect equality which should attendany union of hearts. 

"It is such a privilege to be on visiting terms with the nobility, "said Mrs Lupex. "When I was a girl, I used to be very intimate--"

"You ain't a girl any longer, and so you'd better not talk about it, "said Lupex. Mr Lupex had been at that little shop in Drury Lane afterhe came down from his scene-painting. "My dear, you needn't be abrute to me before all Mrs Roper's company. If, led away by feelingswhich I will not now describe, I left my proper circles in marryingyou, you need not before all the world teach me how much I have toregret. " And Mrs Lupex, putting down her knife and fork, applied herhandkerchief to her eyes. 

"That's pleasant for a man over his meal, isn't it?" said Lupex, appealing to Miss Spruce. "I have plenty of that kind of thing, andyou can't think how I like it. "

"Them whom God has joined together, let no man put asunder, " saidMiss Spruce. "As for me myself, I'm only an old woman. "

This little ebullition threw a gloom over the dinner-table, andnothing more was said on the occasion as to the glories of Eames'scareer. But, in the course of the evening, Amelia heard of theencounter which had taken place at the railway station, and at onceperceived that she might use the occasion for her own purposes. 

"John, " she whispered to her victim, finding an opportunity forcoming upon him when almost alone, "what is this I hear? I insistupon knowing. Are you going to fight a duel?"

"Nonsense, " said Johnny. 

"But it is not nonsense. You don't know what my feelings will be, ifI think that such a thing is going to happen. But then you are sohard-hearted!"

"I ain't hard-hearted a bit, and I'm not going to fight a duel. "

"But is it true that you beat Mr Crosbie at the station?"

"It is true. I did beat him. "

"Oh, John! not that I mean to say you were wrong, and indeed I honouryou for the feeling. There can be nothing so dreadful as a youngman's deceiving a young woman; and leaving her after he has won herheart--particularly when she has had promise in plain words, or, perhaps, even in black and white. " John thought of that horrid, foolish, wretched note which he had written. "And a poor girl, if shecan't right herself by a breach of promise, doesn't know what to do. Does she, John?"

"A girl who'd right herself that way wouldn't be worth having. "

"I don't know about that. When a poor girl is in such a position, shehas to be aided by her friends. I suppose, then, Miss Lily Dale won'tbring a breach of promise against him. "

This mention of Lily's name in such a place was sacrilege in the earsof poor Eames. "I cannot tell, " said he, "what may be the intentionof the lady of whom you speak. But from what I know of her friends, Ishould not think that she will be disgraced by such a proceeding. "

"That may be all very well for Miss Lily Dale--" Amelia said, andthen she hesitated. It would not be well, she thought, absolutely tothreaten him as yet, --not as long as there was any possibility thathe might be won without a threat. "Of course I know all about it, "she continued. "She was your L. D. , you know. Not that I was everjealous of her. To you she was no more than one of childhood'sfriends. Was she, Johnny?"

He stamped his foot upon the floor, and then jumped up from his seat. "I hate all that sort of twaddle about childhood's friends, and youknow I do. You'll make me swear that I'll never come into this roomagain. "

"Johnny!"

"So I will. The whole thing makes me sick. And as for that MrsLupex--"

"If this is what you learn, John, by going to a lord's house, I thinkyou had better stay at home with your own friends. "

"Of course I had;--much better stay at home with my own friends. Here's Mrs Lupex, and at any rate I can't stand her. " So he wentoff, and walked round the Crescent, and down to the New Road, andalmost into the Regent's Park, thinking of Lily Dale and of his owncowardice with Amelia Roper. 

On the following morning he received a message, at about one o'clock, by the mouth of the Board-room messenger, informing him that hispresence was required in the Board-room. "Sir Raffle Buffle hasdesired your presence, Mr Eames. "

"My presence, Tupper! what for?" said Johnny, turning upon themessenger, almost with dismay. 

"Indeed I can't say, Mr Eames; but Sir Raffle Buffle has desired yourpresence in the Board-room. "

Such a message as that in official life always strikes awe into theheart of a young man. And yet, young men generally come forth fromsuch interviews without having received any serious damage, andgenerally talk about the old gentlemen whom they have encounteredwith a good deal of light-spirited sarcasm, --or chaff as it is calledin the slang phraseology of the day. It is that same "majesty whichdoth hedge a king" that does it. The turkey-cock in his own farmyardis master of the occasion, and the thought of him creates fear. Abishop in his lawn, a judge on the bench, a chairman in the big roomat the end of a long table, or a policeman with his bull's-eye lampupon his beat, can all make themselves terrible by means of thoseappanages of majesty which have been vouchsafed to them. But how meanis the policeman in his own home, and how few thought much of SirRaffle Buffle as he sat asleep after dinner in his old slippers. How well can I remember the terror created within me by the air ofoutraged dignity with which a certain fine old gentleman, now longsince gone, could rub his hands slowly, one on the other, and lookup to the ceiling, slightly shaking his head, as though lost in thecontemplation of my iniquities! I would become sick in my stomach, and feel as though my ankles had been broken. That upward turn of theeye unmanned me so completely that I was speechless as regarded anydefence. I think that that old man could hardly have known the extentof his own power. 

Once upon a time a careless lad, having the charge of a bundle ofletters addressed to the King, --petitions, and such like, whichin the course of business would not get beyond the hands of someLord-in-waiting's deputy assistant, --sent the bag which containedthem to the wrong place; to Windsor perhaps, if the Court were inLondon; or to St. James's, if it were at Windsor. He was summoned;and the great man of the occasion contented himself with holdinghis hands up to the heavens as he stood up from his chair, and, exclaiming twice, "Mis-sent the Monarch's pouch! Mis-sent theMonarch's pouch!" That young man never knew how he escaped from theBoard-room; but for a time he was deprived of all power of exertion, and could not resume his work till he had had six months' leave ofabsence, and been brought round upon rum and asses' milk. In thatinstance the peculiar use of the word Monarch had a power which theofficial magnate had never contemplated. The story is traditional;but I believe that the circumstance happened as lately as in the daysof George the Third. 

John Eames could laugh at the present chairman of the Income-taxOffice with great freedom, and call him old Ruffle Scuffle and thelike; but now that he was sent for, he also, in spite of his radicalpropensities, felt a little weak about his ankle joints. He knew, from the first hearing of the message, that he was wanted withreference to that affair at the railway station. Perhaps there mightbe a rule that any clerk should be dismissed who used his fists inany public place. There were many rules entailing the punishmentof dismissal for many offences, --and he began to think that he didremember something of such a regulation. However he got up, lookedonce round him upon his friends, and then followed Tupper into theBoard-room. 

"There's Johnny been sent for by old Scuffles, " said one clerk. 

"That's about his row with Crosbie, " said another. "The Board can'tdo anything to him for that. "

"Can't it?" said the first. "Didn't young Outonites have to resignbecause of that row at the Cider Cellars though his cousin, SirConstant Outonites, did all that he could for him?"

"But he was regularly up the spout with accommodation bills. "

"I tell you that I wouldn't be in Eames's shoes for a trifle. Crosbieis secretary at the Committee Office where Scuffles was chairmanbefore he came here; and of course they're as thick as thieves. Ishouldn't wonder if they didn't make him go down and apologise. "

"Johnny won't do that, " said the other. 

In the meantime John Eames was standing in the august presence. SirRaffle Buffle was throned in his great oak arm-chair at the head ofa long table in a very large room; and by him, at the corner of thetable, was seated one of the assistant secretaries of the office. Another member of the Board was also at work upon the long table; buthe was reading and signing papers at some distance from Sir Raffle, and paid no heed whatever to the scene. The assistant secretary, looking on, could see that Sir Raffle was annoyed by this want ofattention on the part of his colleague, but all this was lost uponEames. 

"Mr Eames?" said Sir Raffle, speaking with a peculiarly harsh voice, and looking at the culprit through a pair of gold-rimmed glasses, which he perched for the occasion upon his big nose. "Isn't that MrEames?"

"Yes, " said the assistant secretary, "this is Eames. "

"Ah!"--and then there was a pause. "Come a little nearer, Mr Eames, will you?" and Johnny drew nearer, advancing noiselessly over theTurkey carpet. 

"Let me see; in the second class, isn't he? Ah! Do you know, Mr Eames, that I have received a letter from the secretary tothe Directors of the Great Western Railway Company, detailingcircumstances which, --if truly stated in that letter, --redound verymuch to your discredit?"

"I did get into a row there yesterday, sir. "

"Got into a row! It seems to me that you have got into a very seriousrow, and that I must tell the Directors of the Great Western RailwayCompany that the law must be allowed to take its course. "

"I shan't mind that, sir, in the least, " said Eames, brightening up alittle under this view of the case. 

"Not mind that, sir!" said Sir Raffle--or rather, he shouted outthe words at the offender before him. I am inclined to think thathe overdid it, missing the effect which a milder tone might haveattained. Perhaps there was lacking to him some of that majestyof demeanour and dramatic propriety of voice which had been soefficacious in the little story as to the King's bag of letters. Asit was, Johnny gave a slight jump, but after his jump he felt betterthan he had been before. "Not mind, sir, being dragged beforethe criminal tribunals of your country, and being punished as afelon, --or rather as a misdemeanour, --for an outrage committed on apublic platform! Not mind it! What do you mean, sir?"

"I mean, that I don't think the magistrate would say very much aboutit, sir. And I don't think Mr Crosbie would come forward. "

"But Mr Crosbie must come forward, young man. Do you suppose thatan outrage against the peace of the Metropolis is to go unpunishedbecause he may not wish to pursue the matter? I'm afraid you must bevery ignorant, young man. "

"Perhaps I am, " said Johnny. 

"Very ignorant indeed, --very ignorant indeed. And are you aware, sir, that it would become a question with the Commissioners of this Boardwhether you could be retained in the service of this departmentif you were publicly punished by a police magistrate for such adisgraceful outrage as that?"

Johnny looked round at the other Commissioner, but that gentleman didnot raise his face from his papers. 

"Mr Eames is a very good clerk, " whispered the assistant secretary, but in a voice which made his words audible to Eames; "one of thebest young men we have, " he added in a voice which was not audible. 

"Oh, --ah; very well. Now, I'll tell you what, Mr Eames. I hope thiswill be a lesson to you, --a very serious lesson. "

The assistant secretary, leaning in his chair so as to be a littlebehind the head of Sir Raffle, did manage to catch the eye of theother Commissioner. The other Commissioner, barely looking round, smiled a little and then the assistant secretary smiled also. Eamessaw this, and he smiled too. 

"Whether any ulterior consequences may still await the breach of thepeace of which you have been guilty, I am not yet prepared to say, "continued Sir Raffle. "You may go now. "

And Johnny returned to his own place, with no increased reverence forthe dignity of the chairman. 

On the following morning one of his colleagues showed him with greatglee the passage in the newspaper which informed the world that hehad been so desperately beaten by Crosbie that he was obliged tokeep his bed at this present time in consequence of the floggingthat he had received. Then his anger was aroused, and he bouncedabout the big room of the Income-tax Office, regardless ofassistant-secretaries, head-clerks, and all other official grandeeswhatsoever, denouncing the iniquities of the public press, anddeclaring his opinion that it would be better to live in Russiathan in a country which allowed such audacious falsehoods to bepropagated. 

"He never touched me, Fisher; I don't think he ever tried; but, uponmy honour, he never touched me. "

"But, Johnny, it was bold in you to make up to Lord de Courcy'sdaughter, " said Fisher. 

"I never saw one of them in my life. "

"He's going it altogether among the aristocracy, now, " said another;"I suppose you wouldn't look at anybody under a viscount?"

"Can I help what that thief of an editor puts into his paper?Flogged! Huffle Scuffle told me I was a felon, but that wasn't halfso bad as this fellow;" and Johnny kicked the newspaper across theroom. 

"Indict him for a libel, " said Fisher. 

"Particularly for saying you wanted to marry a countess's daughter, "said another clerk. 

"I never heard such a scandal in my life, " declared a third; "andthen to say that the girl wouldn't look at you. "

But not the less was it felt by all in the office that Johnny Eameswas becoming a leading man among them, and that he was one with whomeach of them would be pleased to be intimate. And even among thegrandees this affair of the railway station did him no real harm. Itwas known that Crosbie had deserved to be thrashed and known thatEames had thrashed him. It was all very well for Sir Raffle Buffle totalk of police magistrates and misdemeanours, but all the world atthe Income-tax Office knew very well that Eames had come out fromthat affair with his head upright and his right foot foremost. 

"Never mind about the newspaper, " a thoughtful old senior clerk saidto him. "As he did get the licking and you didn't, you can afford tolaugh at the newspaper. "

"And you wouldn't write to the editor?"

"No, no; certainly not. No one thinks of defending himself to anewspaper except an ass;--unless it be some fellow who wants to havehis name puffed. You may write what's as true as the gospel, butthey'll know how to make fun of it. "

Johnny, therefore, gave up his idea of an indignant letter to theeditor, but he felt that he was bound to give some explanation ofthe whole matter to Lord De Guest. The affair had happened as he wascoming from the earl's house, and all his own concerns had now beenmade so much a matter of interest to his kind friend, that he thoughtthat he could not with propriety leave the earl to learn from thenewspapers either the facts or the falsehoods. And, therefore, beforehe left his office he wrote the following letter:--

 INCOME-TAX OFFICE, December 29, 186--. 

 MY LORD, --

He thought a good deal about the style in which he ought to addressthe peer, never having hitherto written to him. He began, "My dearLord, " on one sheet of paper, and then put it aside, thinking that itlooked over-bold. 

 MY LORD, --

 As you have been so very kind to me, I feel that I ought to tell you what happened the other morning at the railway station, as I was coming back from Guestwick. That scoundrel Crosbie got into the same carriage with me at the Barchester Junction, and sat opposite to me all the way up to London. I did not speak a word to him, or he to me; but when he got out at the Paddington Station, I thought I ought not to let him go away, so I--I can't say that I thrashed him as I wished to do, but I made an attempt, and I did give him a black eye. A whole quantity of policemen got round us, and I hadn't a fair chance. I know you will think that I was wrong, and perhaps I was; but what could I do when he sat opposite to me there for two hours, looking as though he thought himself the finest fellow in all London?

 They've put a horrible paragraph into one of the newspapers saying that I got so "flogged" that I haven't been able to stir since. It is an atrocious falsehood, as is all the rest of the newspaper account. I was not touched. He was not nearly so bad a customer as the bull, and seemed to take it all very quietly. I must acknowledge, though, that he didn't get such a beating as he deserved. 

 Your friend Sir R. B. Sent for me this morning, and told me I was a felon. I didn't seem to care much for that, for he might as well have called me a murderer or a burglar, but I shall care very much indeed if I have made you angry with me. But what I most fear is the anger of some one else, --at Allington. 

 Believe me to be, my Lord, Yours very much obliged and most sincerely, JOHN EAMES. 

"I knew he'd do it if ever he got the opportunity, " said the earlwhen he had read his letter; and he walked about his room strikinghis hands together, and then thrusting his thumbs into hiswaistcoat-pockets. "I knew he was made of the right stuff, " and theearl rejoiced greatly in the prowess of his favourite. "I'd have doneit myself if I'd seen him. I do believe I would. " Then he went backto the breakfast-room and told Lady Julia. "What do you think?" saidhe; "Johnny Eames has come across Crosbie, and given him a desperatebeating. "

"No!" said Lady Julia, putting down her newspaper and spectacles, andexpressing by the light of her eyes anything but Christian horror atthe wickedness of the deed. 

"But he has, though. I knew he would if he saw him. "

"Beaten him! Actually beaten him!"

"Sent him home to Lady Alexandrina with two black eyes. "

"Two black eyes! What a young pickle! But did he get hurt himself?"

"Not a scratch he says. "

"And what'll they do to him?"

"Nothing. Crosbie won't be fool enough to do anything. A man becomesan outlaw when he plays such a game as he has played. Anybody's handmay be raised against him with impunity. He can't show his face, youknow. He can't come forward and answer questions as to what he hasdone. There are offences which the law can't touch but which outragepublic feeling so strongly that any one may take upon himself theduty of punishing them. He has been thrashed, and that will stick tohim till he dies. "

"Do tell Johnny from me that I hope he didn't get hurt, " said LadyJulia. The old lady could not absolutely congratulate him on his featof arms, but she did the next thing to it. 

But the earl did congratulate him, with a full open assurance of hisapproval. 

"I hope, " he said "I should have done the same at your age, undersimilar circumstances, and I'm very glad that he proved lessdifficult than the bull. I'm quite sure you didn't want any one tohelp you with Master Crosbie. As for that other person at Allington, if I understand such matters at all, I think she will forgive you. "It may, however, be a question whether the earl did understand suchmatters at all. And then he added, in a postscript: "When you writeto me again, --and don't be long first, begin your letter 'My dearLord De Guest, '--that is the proper way. "

CHAPTER XXXVII

An Old Man's Complaint

"Have you been thinking again of what I was saying to you, Bell?"Bernard said to his cousin one morning. 

"Thinking of it, Bernard? Why should I think more of it? I had hopedthat you had forgotten it yourself. "

"No, " he said; "I am not so easy-hearted as that. I cannot look onsuch a thing as I would the purchase of a horse, which I could giveup without sorrow if I found that the animal was too costly for mypurse. I did not tell you that I loved you till I was sure of myself, and having made myself sure I cannot change at all. "

"And yet you would have me change. "

"Yes, of course I would. If your heart be free now, it must of coursebe changed before you come to love any man. Such change as that is tobe looked for. But when you have loved, then it will not be easy tochange you. "

"But I have not. "

"Then I have a right to hope. I have been hanging on here, Bell, longer than I ought to have done, because I could not bring myself toleave you without speaking of this again. I did not wish to seem toyou to be importunate--"

"If you could only believe me in what I say. "

"It is not that I do not believe. I am not a puppy or a fool toflatter myself that you must be in love with me. I believe you wellenough. But still it is possible that your mind may alter. "

"It is impossible. "

"I do not know whether my uncle or your mother have spoken to youabout this. "

"Such speaking would have no effect. "

In fact her mother had spoken to her, but she truly said that suchspeaking would have no effect. If her cousin could not win the battleby his own skill, he might have been quite sure, looking at hercharacter as it was known to him, that he would not be able to win itby the skill of others. 

"We have all been made very unhappy, " he went on to say, by thiscalamity which has fallen on poor Lily. 

"And because she has been deceived by the man she did love, I am tomake matters square by marrying a man I--" and then she paused. "DearBernard, you should not drive me to say words which will sound harshto you. "

"No words can be harsher than those which you have already spoken. But Bell, at any rate, you may listen to me. "

Then he told her how desirable it was with reference to all theconcerns of the Dale family that she should endeavour to lookfavourably on his proposition. It would be good for them all, hesaid, especially for Lily, as to whom at the present moment theiruncle felt so kindly. He, as Bernard pleaded, was so anxious at heartfor this marriage, that he would do anything that was asked of him ifhe were gratified. But if he were not gratified in this he would feelthat he had ground for displeasure. 

Bell, as she had been desired to listen, did listen very patiently. But when her cousin had finished, her answer was very short. "Nothingthat my uncle can say, or think, or do can make any difference inthis, " said she. 

"You will think nothing, then, of the happiness of others. "

"I would not marry a man I did not love, to ensure any amount ofhappiness to others;--at least I know I ought not to do so. But I donot believe I should ensure any one's happiness by this marriage. Certainly not yours. "

After this Bernard had acknowledged to himself that the difficultiesin his way were great. "I will go away till next autumn, " he said tohis uncle. 

"If you would give up your profession and remain here, she would notbe so perverse. "

"I cannot do that, sir. I cannot risk the well-being of my life onsuch a chance. " Then his uncle had been angry with him as well aswith his niece. In his anger he determined that he would go again tohis sister-in-law, and, after some unreasonable fashion he resolvedthat it would become him to be very angry with her also, if shedeclined to assist him with all her influence as a mother. 

"Why should they not both marry?" he said to himself. Lord De Guest'soffer as to young Eames had been very generous. As he had thendeclared, he had not been able to express his own opinion at once;but on thinking over what the earl had said, he had found himselfvery willing to heal the family wound in the manner proposed if anysuch healing might be possible. That however could not be done quiteas yet. When the time should come, and he thought it might comesoon, --perhaps in the spring, when the days should be fine and theevenings again long, --he would be willing to take his share with theearl in establishing that new household. To Crosbie he had refused togive anything, and there was upon his conscience a shade of remorsein that he had so refused. But if Lily could be brought to love thisother man, he would be more open-handed. She should have her shareas though she was in fact his daughter. But then, if he intended todo so much for them at the Small House, should not they in returndo something also for him? So thinking, he went again to hissister-in-law, determined to explain his views, even though it mightbe at the risk of some hard words between them. As regarded himself, he did not much care for hard words spoken to him. He almost expectedthat people's words should be hard and painful. He did not lookfor the comfort of affectionate soft greetings, and perhaps wouldnot have appreciated them had they come to him. He caught Mrs Dalewalking in the garden, and brought her into his own room, feelingthat he had a better chance there than in her own house. She, with anold dislike to being lectured in that room, had endeavoured to avoidthe interview, but had failed. 

"So I met John Eames at the manor, " he had said to her in the garden. 

"Ah, yes; and how did he get on there? I cannot conceive poor Johnnykeeping holiday with the earl and his sister. How did he behave tothem, and how did they behave to him?"

"I can assure you he was very much at home there. "

"Was he, indeed? Well, I hope it will do him good. He is, I'm sure, avery good young man; only rather awkward. "

"I didn't think him awkward at all. You'll find, Mary, that he'll dovery well;--a great deal better than his father did. "

"I'm sure I hope he may. " After that Mrs Dale made her attempt toescape; but the squire had taken her prisoner, and led her captiveinto the house. "Mary, " he said, as soon as he had induced her to sitdown, "it is time that this should be settled between my nephew andniece. "

"I am afraid there will be nothing to settle. "

"What do you mean;--that you disapprove of it?"

"By no means, --personally. I should approve of it very strongly. Butthat has nothing to do with the question. "

"Yes, it has. I beg your pardon, but it must have, and should have agreat deal to do with it. Of course, I am not saying that anybodyshould now ever be compelled to marry anybody. "

"I hope not. "

"I never said that they ought, and never thought so. But I do thinkthat the wishes of all her family should have very great weight witha girl that has been well brought up. "

"I don't know whether Bell has been well brought up; but in such amatter as this nobody's wishes would weigh a feather with her; and, indeed, I could not take upon myself even to express a wish. To you Ican say that I should have been very happy if she could have regardedher cousin as you wish her to do. "

"You mean that you are afraid to tell her so?"

"I am afraid to do what I think is wrong, if you mean that. "

"I don't think it would be wrong, and therefore I shall speak to hermyself. "

"You must do as you like about that, Mr Dale; I can't prevent you. Ishall think you wrong to harass her on such a matter, and I fear alsothat her answer will not be satisfactory to you. If you choose totell her your opinion, you must do so. Of course I shall think youwrong, that's all. "

Mrs Dale's voice as she said this was stern enough, and so was hercountenance. She could not forbid the uncle to speak his mind to hisniece, but she especially disliked the idea of any interference withher daughter. The squire got up and walked about the room, tryingto compose himself that he might answer her rationally, but withoutanger. 

"May I go now?" said Mrs Dale. 

"May you go? Of course you may go if you like it. If you think thatI am intruding upon you in speaking to you of the welfare of your twogirls, whom I endeavour to regard as my own daughters, --except inthis, that I know they have never been taught to love me, --if youthink that it is an interference on my part to show anxiety for theirwelfare, of course you may go. "

"I did not mean to say anything to hurt you, Mr Dale. "

"Hurt me! What does it signify whether I am hurt or not? I have nochildren of my own, and of course my only business in life is toprovide for my nephews and nieces. I am an old fool if I expect thatthey are to love me in return, and if I venture to express a wishI am interfering and doing wrong! It is hard, --very hard. I knowwell that they have been brought up to dislike me, and yet I amendeavouring to do my duty by them. "

"Mr Dale, that accusation has not been deserved. They have not beenbrought up to dislike you. I believe that they have both loved andrespected you as their uncle; but such love and respect will not giveyou a right to dispose of their hands. "

"Who wants to dispose of their hands?"

"There are some things in which I think no uncle, --no parent, --shouldinterfere, and of all such things this is the chief. If after thatyou may choose to tell her your wishes, of course you can do so. "

"It will not be much good after you have set her against me. "

"Mr Dale, you have no right to say such things to me, and you arevery unjust in doing so. If you think that I have set my girlsagainst you, it will be much better that we should leave Allingtonaltogether. I have been placed in circumstances which have made itdifficult for me to do my duty to my children; but I have endeavouredto do it, not regarding my own personal wishes. I am quite sure, however, that it would be wrong in me to keep them here, if I am tobe told by you that I have taught them to regard you unfavourably. Indeed, I cannot suffer such a thing to be said to me. "

All this Mrs Dale said with an air of decision, and with a voiceexpressing a sense of injury received, which made the squire feelthat she was very much in earnest. 

"Is it not true, " he said, defending himself, "that in all thatrelates to the girls you have ever regarded me with suspicion?"

"No, it is not true. " And then she corrected herself, feelingthat there was something of truth in the squire's last assertion. "Certainly not with suspicion, " she said. "But as this matter hasgone so far, I will explain what my real feelings have been. Inworldly matters you can do much for my girls, and have done much. "

"And wish to do more, " said the squire. 

"I am sure you do. But I cannot on that account give up my place astheir only living parent. They are my children, and not yours. Andeven could I bring myself to allow you to act as their guardian andnatural protector, they would not consent to such an arrangement. Youcannot call that suspicion. "

"I can call it jealousy. "

"And should not a mother be jealous of her children's love?"

During all this time the squire was walking up and down the room withhis hands in his trousers pockets. And when Mrs Dale had last spoken, he continued his walk for some time in silence. 

"Perhaps it is well that you should have spoken out, " he said. 

"The manner in which you accused me made it necessary. "

"I did not intend to accuse you, and I do not do so now; but I thinkthat you have been, and that you are, very hard on me, --very hardindeed. I have endeavoured to make your children, and yourself also, sharers with me in such prosperity as has been mine. I have strivento add to your comfort and to their happiness. I am most anxious tosecure their future welfare. You would have been very wrong had youdeclined to accept this on their behalf; but I think that in returnfor it you need not have begrudged me the affection and obediencewhich generally follows from such good offices. "

"Mr Dale, I have begrudged you nothing of this. "

"I am hurt;--I am hurt, " he continued. And she was surprised by hislook of pain even more than by the unaccustomed warmth of his words. "What you have said has, I have known, been the case all along. Butthough I had felt it to be so, I own that I am hurt by your openwords. "

"Because I have said that my own children must ever be my own?"

"Ah, you have said more than that. You and the girls have been livinghere, close to me, for--how many years is it now?--and during allthose years there has grown up for me no kindly feeling. Do you thinkthat I cannot hear, and see, and feel? Do you suppose that I am afool and do not know? As for yourself you would never enter thishouse if you did not feel yourself constrained to do so for thesake of appearances. I suppose it is all as it should be. Having nochildren of my own, I owe the duty of a parent to my nieces; but Ihave no right to expect from them in return either love, regard, orobedience. I know I am keeping you here against your will, Mary. Iwon't do so any longer. " And he made a sign to her that she was todepart. 

As she rose from her seat her heart was softened towards him. In these latter days he had shown much kindness to the girls, --akindness that was more akin to the gentleness of love than hadever come from him before. Lily's fate had seemed to melt even hissternness, and he had striven to be tender in his words and ways. And now he spoke as though he had loved the girls, and had lovedthem in vain. Doubtless he had been a disagreeable neighbour to hissister-in-law, making her feel that it was never for her personallythat he had opened his hand. Doubtless he had been moved by anunconscious desire to undermine and take upon himself her authoritywith her own children. Doubtless he had looked askance at her fromthe first day of her marriage with his brother. She had been keenlyalive to all this since she had first known him, and more keenlyalive to it than ever since the failure of those efforts she had madeto live with him on terms of affection, made during the first year ortwo of her residence at the Small House. But, nevertheless, in spiteof all, her heart bled for him now. She had gained her victory overhim, having fully held her own position with her children; but now, that he complained that he had been beaten in the struggle, her heartbled for him. 

"My brother, " she said, and as she spoke she offered him her hands, "it may be that we have not thought as kindly of each other as weshould have done. "

"I have endeavoured, " said the old man. "I have endeavoured--" Andthen he stopped, either hindered by some excess of emotion, or unableto find the words which were necessary for the expression of hismeaning. 

"Let us endeavour once again, --both of us. "

"What, begin again at near seventy! No, Mary, there is no morebeginning again for me. All this shall make no difference to thegirls. As long as I am here they shall have the house. If they marry, I will do for them what I can. I believe Bernard is much in earnestin his suit, and if Bell will listen to him, she shall still bewelcomed here as mistress of Allington. What you have said shall makeno difference;--but as to beginning again, it is simply impossible. "

After that Mrs Dale walked home through the garden by herself. He hadstudiously told her that that house in which they lived should belent, not to her, but to her children, during his lifetime. He hadpositively declined the offer of her warmer regard. He had made herunderstand that they were to look on each other almost as enemies;but that she, enemy as she was, should still be allowed the use ofhis munificence, because he chose to do his duty by his nieces!

"It will be better for us that we shall leave it, " she said toherself as she seated herself in her own arm-chair over thedrawing-room fire. 

CHAPTER XXXVIII

Doctor Crofts Is Called In

Mrs Dale had not sat long in her drawing-room before tidings werebrought to her which for a while drew her mind away from thatquestion of her removal. "Mamma, " said Bell, entering the room, "I really do believe that Jane has got scarlatina. " Jane, theparlour-maid, had been ailing for the last two days, but nothingserious had hitherto been suspected. 

Mrs Dale instantly jumped up. "Who is with her?" she asked. 

It appeared from Bell's answer that both she and Lily had been withthe girl, and that Lily was still in the room. Whereupon Mrs Dale ranupstairs, and there was on the sudden a commotion in the house. In anhour or so the village doctor was there, and he expressed an opinionthat the girl's ailment was certainly scarlatina. Mrs Dale, notsatisfied with this, sent off a boy to Guestwick for Dr Crofts, having herself maintained an opposition of many years' standingagainst the medical reputation of the apothecary, and gave a positiveorder to the two girls not to visit poor Jane again. She herself hadhad scarlatina, and might do as she pleased. Then, too, a nurse washired. 

All this changed for a few hours the current of Mrs Dale's thoughts:but in the evening she went back to the subject of her morningconversation, and before the three ladies went to bed, they heldtogether an open council of war upon the subject. Dr Crofts had beenfound to be away from Guestwick, and word had been sent on his behalfthat he would be over at Allington early on the following morning. Mrs Dale had almost made up her mind that the malady of her favouritemaid was not scarlatina, but had not on that account relaxed herorder as to the absence of her daughters from the maid's bedside. 

"Let us go at once, " said Bell, who was even more opposed to anydomination on the part of her uncle than was her mother. In thediscussion which had been taking place between them the whole matterof Bernard's courtship had come upon the carpet. Bell had kept hercousin's offer to herself as long as she had been able to do so;but since her uncle had pressed the subject upon Mrs Dale, it wasimpossible for Bell to remain silent any longer. "You do not wantme to marry him, mamma; do you?" she had said, when her mother hadspoken with some show of kindness towards Bernard. In answer to this, Mrs Dale had protested vehemently that she had no such wish, andLily, who still held to her belief in Dr Crofts, was almost equallyanimated. To them all, the idea that their uncle should in anyway interfere in their own views of life, on the strength of thepecuniary assistance which they had received from him, was peculiarlydistasteful. But it was especially distasteful that he should presumeto have even an opinion as to their disposition in marriage. Theydeclared to each other that their uncle could have no right to objectto any marriage which either of them might contemplate as long astheir mother should approve of it. The poor old squire had been rightin saying that he was regarded with suspicion. He was so regarded. The fault had certainly been his own, in having endeavoured to winthe daughters without thinking it worth his while to win the mother. The girls had unconsciously felt that the attempt was made, and hadvigorously rebelled against it. It had not been their fault that theyhad been brought to live in their uncle's house, and made to ride onhis ponies, and to eat partially of his bread. They had so eaten, and so lived, and declared themselves to be grateful. The squire wasgood in his way, and they recognised his goodness; but not on thataccount would they transfer to him one jot of the allegiance whichas children they owed to their mother. When she told them her tale, explaining to them the words which their uncle had spoken thatmorning, they expressed their regret that he should be so grieved;but they were strong in assurances to their mother that she had beensinned against, and was not sinning. 

"Let us go at once, " said Bell. 

"It is much easier said than done, my dear. "

"Of course it is, mamma; else we shouldn't be here now. What I meanis this, --let us take some necessary first step at once. It is clearthat my uncle thinks that our remaining here should give him someright over us. I do not say that he is wrong to think so. Perhaps itis natural. Perhaps, in accepting his kindness, we ought to submitourselves to him. If that be so, it is a conclusive reason for ourgoing. "

"Could we not pay him rent for the house, " said Lily, "as Mrs Hearndoes? You would like to remain here, mamma, if you could do that?"

"But we could not do that, Lily. We must choose for ourselves asmaller house than this, and one that is not burdened with theexpense of a garden. Even if we paid but a moderate rent for thisplace, we should not have the means of living here. "

"Not if we lived on toast and tea?" said Lily, laughing. 

"But I should hardly wish you to live upon toast and tea; and indeedI fancy that I should get tired of such a diet myself. "

"Never, mamma, " said Lily. "As for me, I confess to a longing aftermutton chops; but I don't think you would ever want such vulgarthings. "

"At any rate, it would be impossible to remain here, " said Bell. "Uncle Christopher would not take rent from mamma; and even if hedid, we should not know how to go on with our other arrangementsafter such a change. No; we must give up the dear old Small House. "

"It is a dear old house, " said Lily, thinking, as she spoke, more ofthose late scenes in the garden, when Crosbie had been with them inthe autumn months, than of any of the former joys of her childhood. 

"After all, I do not know that I should be right to move, " said MrsDale, doubtingly. 

"Yes, yes, " said both the girls at once. "Of course you will beright, mamma; there cannot be a doubt about it, mamma. If we can getany cottage, or even lodgings, that would be better than remaininghere, now that we know what Uncle Christopher thinks of it. "

"It will make him very unhappy, " said Mrs Dale. 

But even this argument did not in the least move the girls. They werevery sorry that their uncle should be unhappy. They would endeavourto show him by some increased show of affection that their feelingstowards him were not unkind. Should he speak to them they wouldendeavour to explain to him that their thoughts towards him werealtogether affectionate. But they could not remain at Allingtonincreasing their load of gratitude, seeing that he expected a certainpayment which they did not feel themselves able to render. 

"We should be robbing him, if we stayed here, " Belldeclared;--"wilfully robbing him of what he believes to be his justshare of the bargain. "

So it was settled among them that notice should be given to theiruncle of their intention to quit the Small House of Allington. 

And then came the question as to their new home. Mrs Dale was awarethat her income was at any rate better than that possessed by MrsEames, and therefore she had fair ground for presuming that she couldafford to keep a house at Guestwick. "If we do go away, that is whatwe must do, " she said. 

"And we shall have to walk out with Mary Eames, instead of SusanBoyce, " said Lily. "It won't make so much difference after all. "

"In that respect we shall gain as much as we lose, " said Bell. 

"And then it will be so nice to have the shops, " said Lily, ironically. 

"Only we shall never have any money to buy anything, " said Bell. 

"But we shall see more of the world, " said Lily. "Lady Julia'scarriage comes into town twice a week, and the Miss Gruffens driveabout in great style. Upon the whole, we shall gain a great deal;only for the poor old garden. Mamma, I do think I shall break myheart at parting with Hopkins; and as to him, I shall be disappointedin mankind if he ever holds his head up again after I am gone. "

But in truth there was very much of sadness in their resolution, andto Mrs Dale it seemed as though she were managing matters badly forher daughters and allowing poverty and misfortune to come upon themthrough her own fault. She well knew how great a load of sorrowwas lying on Lily's heart, hidden beneath those little attempts atpleasantry which she made. When she spoke of being disappointed inmankind, Mrs Dale could hardly repress an outward shudder that wouldbetray her thoughts. And now she was consenting to take them forthfrom their comfortable home, from the luxury of their lawns andgardens, and to bring them to some small dingy corner of a provincialtown, --because she had failed to make herself happy with herbrother-in-law. Could she be right to give up all the advantageswhich they enjoyed at Allington, --advantages which had come to themfrom so legitimate a source, --because her own feelings had beenwounded? In all their future want of comfort, in the comfortlessdowdiness of the new home to which she would remove them, wouldshe not always blame herself for having brought them to that byher own false pride? And yet it seemed to her that she now had noalternative. She could not now teach her daughters to obey theiruncle's wishes in all things. She could not make Bell understand thatit would be well that she should marry Bernard because the squire hadset his heart on such a marriage. She had gone so far that she couldnot now go back. 

"I suppose we must move at Lady-day?" said Bell, who was in favour ofinstant action. "If so, had you not better let Uncle Christopher knowat once?"

"I don't think that we can find a house by that time. "

"We can get in somewhere, " continued Bell. "There are plenty oflodgings in Guestwick, you know. " But the sound of the word lodgingswas uncomfortable in Mrs Dale's ears. 

"If we are to go, let us go at once, " said Lily. "We need not standmuch upon the order of our going. "

"Your uncle will be very much shocked, " said Mrs Dale. 

"He cannot say that it is your fault, " said Bell. 

It was thus agreed between them that the necessary information shouldbe at once given to the squire, and that the old, well-loved houseshould be left for ever. It would be a great fall in a worldlypoint of view, --from the Allington Small House to an abode in somelittle street of Guestwick. At Allington they had been countypeople, --raised to a level with their own squire and other squires bythe circumstance of their residence; but at Guestwick they would besmall even among the people of the town. They would be on an equalitywith the Eameses, and much looked down upon by the Gruffens. Theywould hardly dare to call any more at Guestwick Manor, seeing thatthey certainly could not expect Lady Julia to call upon them atGuestwick. Mrs Boyce no doubt would patronise them, and they couldalready anticipate the condolence which would be offered to them byMrs Hearn. Indeed such a movement on their part would be tantamountto a confession of failure in the full hearing of so much of theworld as was known to them. 

I must not allow my readers to suppose that these considerations werea matter of indifference to any of the ladies at the Small House. Tosome women of strong mind, of highly-strung philosophic tendencies, such considerations might have been indifferent. But Mrs Dale was notof this nature, nor were her daughters. The good things of the worldwere good in their eyes, and they valued the privilege of a pleasantsocial footing among their friends. They were by no means capable ofa wise contempt of the advantages which chance had hitherto given tothem. They could not go forth rejoicing in the comparative poverty oftheir altered condition. But then, neither could they purchase thoseluxuries which they were about to abandon at the price which wasasked for them. 

"Had you not better write to my uncle?" said one of the girls. Butto this Mrs Dale objected that she could not make a letter on such asubject clearly intelligible, and that therefore she would see thesquire on the following morning. "It will be very dreadful, " shesaid, "but it will soon be over. It is not what he will say at themoment that I fear so much, as the bitter reproaches of his face whenI shall meet him afterwards. " So, on the following morning, she againmade her way, and now without invitation, to the squire's study. 

"Mr Dale, " she began, starting upon her work with some confusion inher manner, and hurry in her speech, "I have been thinking over whatwe were saying together yesterday, and I have come to a resolutionwhich I know I ought to make known to you without a moment's delay. "

The squire also had thought of what had passed between them, and hadsuffered much as he had done so; but he had thought of it withoutacerbity or anger. His thoughts were ever gentler than his words, andhis heart softer than any exponent of his heart that he was able toput forth. He wished to love his brother's children, and to be lovedby them; but even failing that, he wished to do good to them. It hadnot occurred to him to be angry with Mrs Dale after that interviewwas over. The conversation had not gone pleasantly with him; butthen he hardly expected that things would go pleasantly. No idea hadoccurred to him that evil could come upon any of the Dale ladies fromthe words which had then been spoken. He regarded the Small House astheir abode and home as surely as the Great House was his own. Ingiving him his due, it must be declared that any allusion to theirholding these as a benefit done to them by him had been very far fromhis thoughts. Mrs Hearn, who held her cottage at half its real value, grumbled almost daily at him as her landlord; but it never occurredto him that therefore he should raise her rent, or that in not doingso he was acting with special munificence. It had ever been to hima grumbling, cross-grained, unpleasant world; and he did not expectfrom Mrs Hearn, or from his sister-in-law, anything better than thatto which he had ever been used. 

"It will make me very happy, " said he, "if it has any bearing onBell's marriage with her cousin. "

"Mr Dale, that is out of the question. I would not vex you by sayingso if I were not certain of it; but I know my child so well!"

"Then we must leave it to time, Mary. "

"Yes, of course; but no time will suffice to make Bell change hermind. We will, however, leave the subject. And now, Mr Dale, I haveto tell you of something else;--we have resolved to leave the SmallHouse. "

"Resolved on what?" said the squire, turning his eyes full upon her. 

"We have resolved to leave the Small House. "

"Leave the Small House!" he said, repeating her words; "and where onearth do you mean to go?"

"We think we shall go into Guestwick. "

"And why?"

"Ah, that is so hard to explain. If you would only accept the fact asI tell it to you, and not ask for the reasons which have guided me!"

"But that is out of the question, Mary. In such a matter as that Imust ask your reasons; and I must tell you also that, in my opinion, you will not be doing your duty to your daughters in carrying outsuch an intention, unless your reasons are very strong indeed. "

"But they are very strong, " said Mrs Dale; and then she paused. 

"I cannot understand it, " said the squire. "I cannot bring myselfto believe that you are really in earnest. Are you not comfortablethere?"

"More comfortable than we have any right to be with our means. "

"But I thought you always did very nicely with your money. You neverget into debt. "

"No; I never get into debt. It is not that, exactly. The fact is, Mr Dale, we have no right to live there without paying rent; but wecould not afford to live there if we did pay rent. "

"Who has talked about rent?" he said, jumping up from his chair. "Some one has been speaking falsehoods of me behind my back. " Nogleam of the real truth had yet come to him. No idea had reached hismind that his relatives thought it necessary to leave his house inconsequence of any word that he himself had spoken. He had neverconsidered himself to have been in any special way generous to them, and would not have thought it reasonable that they should abandon thehouse in which they had been living, even if his anger against themhad been strong and hot. "Mary, " he said, "I must insist upon gettingto the bottom of this. As for your leaving the house, it is out ofthe question. Where can you be better off, or so well? As to goinginto Guestwick, what sort of life would there be for the girls? Iput all that aside as out of the question; but I must know what hasinduced you to make such a proposition. Tell me honestly, --has anyone spoken evil of me behind my back?"

Mrs Dale had been prepared for opposition and for reproach; but therewas a decision about the squire's words, and an air of masterdom inhis manner, which made her recognise more fully than she had yet donethe difficulty of her position. She almost began to fear that shewould lack power to carry out her purpose. 

"Indeed, it is not so, Mr Dale. "

"Then what is it?"

"I know that if I attempt to tell you, you will be vexed, and willcontradict me. "

"Vexed I shall be, probably. "

"And yet I cannot help it. Indeed, I am endeavouring to do what isright by you and by the children. "

"Never mind me; your duty is to think of them. "

"Of course it is; and in doing this they most cordially agree withme. "

In using such argument as that, Mrs Dale showed her weakness, and thesquire was not slow to take advantage of it. "Your duty is to them, "he said; "but I do not mean by that that your duty is to let them actin any way that may best please them for the moment. I can understandthat they should be run away with by some romantic nonsense, but Icannot understand it of you. "

"The truth is this, Mr Dale. You think that my children owe to youthat sort of obedience which is due to a parent, and as long as theyremain here, accepting from your hands so large a part of their dailysupport, it is perhaps natural that you should think so. In thisunhappy affair about Bell--"

"I have never said anything of the kind, " said the squire, interrupting her. 

"No; you have not said so. And I do not wish you to think that Imake any complaint. But I feel that it is so, and they feel it. And, therefore, we have made up our minds to go away. "

Mrs Dale, as she finished, was aware that she had not told her storywell, but she had acknowledged to herself that it was quite out ofher power to tell it as it should be told. Her main object was tomake her brother-in-law understand that she certainly would leave hishouse, and to make him understand this with as little pain to himselfas possible. She did not in the least mind his thinking her foolish, if only she could so carry her point as to be able to tell herdaughters on her return that the matter was settled. But the squire, from his words and manners, seemed indisposed to give her thisprivilege. 

"Of all the propositions which I ever heard, " said he, "it is themost unreasonable. It amounts to this, that you are too proud to liverent-free in a house which belongs to your husband's brother, andtherefore you intend to subject yourself and your children to thegreat discomfort of a very straitened income. If you yourself onlywere concerned I should have no right to say anything; but I thinkmyself bound to tell you that, as regards the girls, everybody thatknows you will think you to have been very wrong. It is in thenatural course of things that they should live in that house. Theplace has never been let. As far as I know, no rent has ever beenpaid for the house since it was built. It has always been given tosome member of the family, who has been considered as having the bestright to it. I have considered your footing there as firm as my ownhere. A quarrel between me and your children would be to me a greatcalamity, though, perhaps, they might be indifferent to it. But ifthere were such a quarrel it would afford no reason for their leavingthat house. Let me beg you to think over the matter again. "

The squire could assume an air of authority on certain occasions, andhe had done so now. Mrs Dale found that she could only answer himby a simple repetition of her own intention; and, indeed, failed inmaking him any serviceable answer whatsoever. 

"I know that you are very good to my girls, " she said. 

"I will say nothing about that, " he answered; not thinking at thatmoment of the Small House, but of the full possession which he haddesired to give to the elder of all the privileges which shouldbelong to the mistress of Allington, --thinking also of the means bywhich he was hoping to repair poor Lily's shattered fortunes. Whatwords were further said had no great significance, and Mrs Dale gotherself away, feeling that she had failed. As soon as she was gonethe squire arose, and putting on his great-coat, went forth with hishat and stick to the front of the house. He went out in order thathis thoughts might be more free, and that he might indulge in thatsolace which an injured man finds in contemplating his injury. Hedeclared to himself that he was very hardly used, --so hardly used, that he almost began to doubt himself, and his own motives. Why wasit that the people around him disliked him so strongly, --avoided himand thwarted him in the efforts which he made for their welfare? Heoffered to his nephew all the privileges of a son, --much more indeedthan the privileges of a son, --merely asking in return that he wouldconsent to live permanently in the house which was to be his own. Buthis nephew refused. "He cannot bear to live with me, " said the oldman to himself sorely. He was prepared to treat his nieces with moregenerosity than the daughters of the House of Allington had usuallyreceived from their fathers; and they repelled his kindness, runningaway from him, and telling him openly that they would not be beholdento him. He walked slowly up and down the terrace, thinking of thisvery bitterly. 

He did not find in the contemplation of his grievance all that solacewhich a grievance usually gives, because he accused himself in histhoughts rather than others. He declared to himself that he was madeto be hated, and protested to himself that it would be well that heshould die and be buried out of memory, so that the remaining Dalesmight have a better chance of living happily; and then as he thusdiscussed all this within his own bosom, his thoughts were verytender, and though he was aggrieved, he was most affectionate tothose who had most injured him. But it was absolutely beyond hispower to reproduce outwardly, with words and outward signs, suchthoughts and feelings. 

It was now very nearly the end of the year, but the weather was stillsoft and open. The air was damp rather than cold, and the lawnsand fields still retained the green tints of new vegetation. Asthe squire was walking on the terrace Hopkins came up to him, andtouching his hat, remarked that they should have frost in a day ortwo. 

"I suppose we shall, " said the squire. 

"We must have the mason to the flues of that little grape-house, sir, before I can do any good with a fire there. "

"Which grape-house?" said the squire, crossly. 

"Why, the grape-house in the other garden, sir. It ought to have beendone last year by rights. " This Hopkins said to punish his masterfor being cross to him. On that matter of the flues of Mrs Dale'sgrape-house he had, with much consideration, spared his master duringthe last winter, and he felt that this ought to be remembered now. "Ican't put any fire in it, not to do any real good, till something'sdone. That's sure. "

"Then don't put any fire in it, " said the squire. 

Now the grapes in question were supposed to be peculiarly fine, andwere the glory of the garden of the Small House. They were alwaysforced, though not forced so early as those at the Great House, andHopkins was in a state of great confusion. 

"They'll never ripen; sir; not the whole year through. "

"Then let them be unripe, " said the squire, walking about. 

Hopkins did not at all understand it. The squire in his naturalcourse was very unwilling to neglect any such matter as this, butwould be specially unwilling to neglect anything touching theSmall House. So Hopkins stood on the terrace, raising his hat andscratching his head. "There's something wrong amongst them, " said heto himself, sorrowfully. 

But when the squire had walked to the end of the terrace and hadturned upon the path which led round the side of the house, hestopped and called to Hopkins. 

"Have what is needful done to the flue, " he said. 

"Yes, sir; very well, sir. It'll only be re-setting the bricks. Nothing more ain't needful, just this winter. "

"Have the place put in perfect order while you're about it, " said thesquire, and then he walked away. 

CHAPTER XXXIX

Doctor Crofts Is Turned Out

"Have you heard the news, my dear, from the Small House?" said MrsBoyce to her husband, some two or three days after Mrs Dale's visitto the squire. It was one o'clock, and the parish pastor had come infrom his ministrations to dine with his wife and children. 

"What news?" said Mr Boyce, for he had heard none. 

"Mrs Dale and the girls are going to leave the Small House; they'regoing into Guestwick to live. "

"Mrs Dale going away; nonsense!" said the vicar. "What on earthshould take her into Guestwick? She doesn't pay a shilling of rentwhere she is. "

"I can assure you it's true, my dear. I was with Mrs Hearn just now, and she had it direct from Mrs Dale's own lips. Mrs Hearn said she'dnever been taken so much aback in her whole life. There's been somequarrel, you may be sure of that. "

Mr Boyce sat silent, pulling off his dirty shoes preparatory to hisdinner. Tidings so important, as touching the social life of hisparish, had not come to him for many a day, and he could hardly bringhimself to credit them at so short a notice. 

"Mrs Hearn says that Mrs Dale spoke ever so firmly about it, asthough determined that nothing should change her. "

"And did she say why?"

"Well, not exactly. But Mrs Hearn said she could understand there hadbeen words between her and the squire. It couldn't be anything else, you know. Probably it had something to do with that man, Crosbie. "

"They'll be very pushed about money, " said Mr Boyce, thrusting hisfeet into his slippers. 

"That's just what I said to Mrs Hearn. And those girls have neverbeen used to anything like real economy. What's to become of them Idon't know;" and Mrs Boyce, as she expressed her sympathy for herdear friends, received considerable comfort from the prospect oftheir future poverty. It always is so, and Mrs Boyce was not worsethan her neighbours. 

"You'll find they'll make it up before the time comes, " said MrBoyce, to whom the excitement of such a change in affairs was almosttoo good to be true. 

"I am afraid not, " said Mrs Boyce; "I'm afraid not. They are both sodetermined. I always thought that riding and giving the girls hatsand habits was injurious. It was treating them as though they werethe squire's daughters, and they were not the squire's daughters. "

"It was almost the same thing. "

"But now we see the difference, " said the judicious Mrs Boyce. "Ioften said that dear Mrs Dale was wrong, and it turns out that I wasright. It will make no difference to me, as regards calling on themand that sort of thing. "

"Of course it won't. "

"Not but what there must be a difference, and a very great differencetoo. It will be a terrible come down for poor Lily, with the loss ofher fine husband and all. "

After dinner, when Mr Boyce had again gone forth upon his labours, the same subject was discussed between Mrs Boyce and her daughters, and the mother was very careful to teach her children that Mrs Dalewould be just as good a person as ever she had been, and quite asmuch a lady, even though she should live in a very dingy house atGuestwick; from which lesson the Boyce girls learned plainly that MrsDale, with Bell and Lily, were about to have a fall in the world, andthat they were to be treated accordingly. 

From all this, it will be discovered that Mrs Dale had not given wayto the squire's arguments, although she had found herself unable toanswer them. As she had returned home she had felt herself to bealmost vanquished, and had spoken to the girls with the air and toneof a woman who hardly knew in which course lay the line of her duty. But they had not seen the squire's manner on the occasion, nor heardhis words, and they could not understand that their own purposeshould be abandoned because he did not like it. So they talked theirmother into fresh resolves, and on the following morning she wrote anote to her brother-in-law, assuring him that she had thought much ofall that he had said, but again declaring that she regarded herselfas bound in duty to leave the Small House. To this he had returned noanswer, and she had communicated her intention to Mrs Hearn, thinkingit better that there should be no secret in the matter. 

"I am sorry to hear that your sister-in-law is going to leave us, " MrBoyce said to the squire that same afternoon. 

"Who told you that?" asked the squire, showing by his tone that he byno means liked the topic of conversation which the parson had chosen. 

"Well, I had it from Mrs Boyce, and I think Mrs Hearn told her. "

"I wish Mrs Hearn would mind her own business, and not spread idlereports. "

The squire said nothing more, and Mr Boyce felt that he had been veryunjustly snubbed. 

Dr Crofts had come over and pronounced as a fact that it wasscarlatina. Village apothecaries are generally wronged by the doubtswhich are thrown upon them, for the town doctors when they comealways confirm what the village apothecaries have said. 

"There can be no doubt as to its being scarlatina, " the doctordeclared; "but the symptoms are all favourable. "

There was, however, much worse coming than this. Two days afterwardsLily found herself to be rather unwell. She endeavoured to keep it toherself, fearing that she should be brought under the doctor's noticeas a patient; but her efforts were unavailing, and on the followingmorning it was known that she had also taken the disease. Dr Croftsdeclared that everything was in her favour. The weather was cold. The presence of the malady in the house had caused them all to becareful, and, moreover, good advice was at hand at once. The doctorbegged Mrs Dale not to be uneasy, but he was very eager in beggingthat the two sisters might not be allowed to be together. "Could younot send Bell into Guestwick, --to Mrs Eames's?" said he. But Bell didnot choose to be sent to Mrs Eames's, and was with great difficultykept out of her mother's bedroom, to which Lily as an invalid wastransferred. 

"If you will allow me to say so, " he said to Bell, on the second dayafter Lily's complaint had declared itself, "you are wrong to stayhere in the house. "

"I certainly shall not leave mamma, when she has got so much upon herhands, " said Bell. 

"But if you should be taken ill she would have more on her hands, "pleaded the doctor. 

"I could not do it, " Bell replied. "If I were taken over toGuestwick, I should be so uneasy that I should walk back to Allingtonthe first moment that I could escape from the house. "

"I think your mother would be more comfortable without you. "

"And I think she would be more comfortable with me. I don't ever liketo hear of a woman running away from illness; but when a sister ora daughter does so, it is intolerable. " So Bell remained, withoutpermission indeed to see her sister, but performing various outsideadministrations which were much needed. 

And thus all manner of trouble came upon the inhabitants of the SmallHouse, falling upon them as it were in a heap together. It was as yetbarely two months since those terrible tidings had come respectingCrosbie; tidings which, it was felt at the time, would of themselvesbe sufficient to crush them; and now to that misfortune othermisfortunes had been added, --one quick upon the heels of another. Inthe teeth of the doctor's kind prophecy Lily became very ill, andafter a few days was delirious. She would talk to her mother aboutCrosbie, speaking of him as she used to speak in the autumn that waspassed. But even in her madness she remembered that they had resolvedto leave their present home; and she asked the doctor twice whethertheir lodgings at Guestwick were ready for them. 

It was thus that Crofts first heard of their intention. Now, inthese days of Lily's worst illness, he came daily over to Allington, remaining there, on one occasion, the whole night. For all this hewould take no fee;--nor had he ever taken a fee from Mrs Dale. "Iwish you would not come so often, " Bell said to him one evening, ashe stood with her at the drawing-room fire, after he had left thepatient's room; "you are overloading us with obligations. " On thatday Lily was over the worst of the fever, and he had been able totell Mrs Dale that he did not think that she was now in danger. 

"It will not be necessary much longer, " he said; "the worst of it isover. "

"It is such a luxury to hear you say so. I suppose we shall owe herlife to you; but nevertheless--"

"Oh, no; scarlatina is not such a terrible thing now as it used tobe. "

"Then why should you have devoted your time to her as you have done?It frightens me when I think of the injury we must have done you. "

"My horse has felt it more than I have, " said the doctor, laughing. "My patients at Guestwick are not so very numerous. " Then, instead ofgoing, he sat himself down. "And it is really true, " he said, "thatyou are all going to leave this house?"

"Quite true. We shall do so at the end of March, if Lily is wellenough to be moved. "

"Lily will be well long before that, I hope; not, indeed, that sheought to be moved out of her own rooms for many weeks to come yet. "

"Unless we are stopped by her we shall certainly go at the end ofMarch. " Bell now had also sat down, and they both remained for sometime looking at the fire in silence. 

"And why is it, Bell?" he said, at last. "But I don't know whether Ihave a right to ask. "

"You have a right to ask any question about us, " she said. "My uncleis very kind. He is more than kind; he is generous. But he seems tothink that our living here gives him a right to interfere with mamma. We don't like that, and, therefore, we are going. "

The doctor still sat on one side of the fire, and Bell still satopposite to him; but the conversation did not form itself very freelybetween them. "It is bad news, " he said, at last. 

"At any rate, when we are ill you will not have so far to come andsee us. "

"Yes, I understand. That means that I am ungracious not tocongratulate myself on having you all so much nearer to me; but I donot in the least. I cannot bear to think of you as living anywherebut here at Allington. Dales will be out of their place in a streetat Guestwick. "

"That's hard upon the Dales, too. "

"It is hard upon them. It's a sort of offshoot from that verytyrannical law of noblesse oblige. I don't think you ought to go awayfrom Allington, unless the circumstances are very imperative. "

"But they are very imperative. "

"In that case, indeed!" And then again he fell into silence. 

"Have you never seen that mamma is not happy here?" she said, afteranother pause. "For myself, I never quite understood it all before asI do now; but now I see it. "

"And I have seen it;--have seen at least what you mean. She has led alife of restraint; but then, how frequently is such restraint thenecessity of a life? I hardly think that your mother would move onthat account. "

"No. It is on our account. But this restraint, as you call it, makesus unhappy, and she is governed by seeing that. My uncle is generousto her as regards money; but in other things, --in matters offeeling, --I think he has been ungenerous. "

"Bell, " said the doctor; and then he paused. 

She looked up at him, but made no answer. He had always called herby her Christian name, and they two had ever regarded each otheras close friends. At the present moment she had forgotten all elsebesides this, and yet she had infinite pleasure in sitting there andtalking to him. 

"I am going to ask you a question which perhaps I ought not to ask, only that I have known you so long that I almost feel that I amspeaking to a sister. "

"You may ask me what you please, " said she. 

"It is about your cousin Bernard. "

"About Bernard!" said Bell. 

It was now dusk; and as they were sitting without other light thanthat of the fire, she knew that he could not discern the colour whichcovered her face as her cousin's name was mentioned. But, had thelight of day pervaded the whole room, I doubt whether Crofts wouldhave seen that blush, for he kept his eyes firmly fixed upon thefire. 

"Yes, about Bernard. I don't know whether I ought to ask you. "

"I'm sure I can't say, " said Bell; speaking words of the nature ofwhich she was not conscious. 

"There has been a rumour in Guestwick that he and you--"

"It is untrue, " said Bell; "quite untrue. If you hear it repeated, you should contradict it. I wonder why people should say suchthings. "

"It would have been an excellent marriage;--all your friends musthave approved it. "

"What do you mean, Dr Crofts? How I do hate those words, 'anexcellent marriage'. In them is contained more of wicked worldlinessthan any other words that one ever hears spoken. You want me to marrymy cousin simply because I should have a great house to live in, anda coach. I know that you are my friend, but I hate such friendship asthat. "

"I think you misunderstand me, Bell. I mean that it would have beenan excellent marriage, provided you had both loved each other. "

"No, I don't misunderstand you. Of course it would be an excellentmarriage, if we loved each other. You might say the same if I lovedthe butcher or the baker. What you mean is, that it makes a reasonfor loving him. "

"I don't think I did mean that. "

"Then you mean nothing. "

After that, there were again some minutes of silence during whichDr Crofts got up to go away. "You have scolded me very dreadfully, "he said, with a slight smile, "and I believe I have deserved it forinterfering. "

"No; not at all for interfering. "

"But at any rate you must forgive me before I go. "

"I won't forgive you at all, unless you repent of your sins, andalter altogether the wickedness of your mind. You will become verysoon as bad as Dr Gruffen. "

"Shall I?"

"Oh, but I will forgive you; for after all, you are the most generousman in the world. "

"Oh, yes; of course I am. Well, --good-bye. "

"But, Dr Crofts, you should not suppose others to be so much moreworldly than yourself. You do not care for money so very much--"

"But I do care very much. "

"If you did, you would not come here for nothing day after day. "

"I do care for money very much. I have sometimes nearly broken myheart because I could not get opportunities of earning it. It is thebest friend that a man can have--"

"Oh, Dr Crofts!"

"--the best friend that a man can have, if it be honestly come by. Awoman can hardly realise the sorrow which may fall upon a man fromthe want of such a friend. "

"Of course a man likes to earn a decent living by his profession; andyou can do that. "

"That depends upon one's ideas of decency. "

"Ah! mine never ran very high. I've always had a sort of aptitude forliving in a pigsty;--a clean pigsty, you know, with nice fresh beanstraw to lie upon. I think it was a mistake when they made a lady ofme. I do, indeed. "

"I do not, " said Dr Crofts. 

"That because you don't quite know me yet. I've not the slightestpleasure in putting on three different dresses a day. I do it veryoften because it comes to me to do it, from the way in which we havebeen taught to live. But when we get to Guestwick I mean to changeall that; and if you come in to tea, you'll see me in the same brownfrock that I wear in the morning, --unless, indeed, the morning workmakes the brown frock dirty. Oh, Dr Crofts! you'll have it pitch-darkriding home under the Guestwick elms. "

"I don't mind the dark, " he said; and it seemed as though he hardlyintended to go even yet. 

"But I do, " said Bell, "and I shall ring for candles. " But he stoppedher as she put her hand out to the bell-pull. 

"Stop a moment, Bell. You need hardly have the candles before I go, and you need not begrudge my staying either, seeing that I shall beall alone at home. "

"Begrudge your staying!"

"But, however, you shall begrudge it, or else make me very welcome. "He still held her by the wrist, which he had caught as he preventedher from summoning the servant. 

"What do you mean?" said she. "You know you are welcome to us asflowers in May. You always were welcome; but now, when you have cometo us in our trouble-- At any rate, you shall never say that I turnyou out. "

"Shall I never say so?" And still he held her by the wrist. He hadkept his chair throughout, but she was standing before him, --betweenhim and the fire. But she, though he held her in this way, thoughtlittle of his words, or of his action. They had known each other withgreat intimacy, and though Lily would still laugh at her, saying thatDr Crofts was her lover, she had long since taught herself that nosuch feeling as that would ever exist between them. 

"Shall I never say so, Bell? What if so poor a man as I ask for thehand that you will not give to so rich a man as your cousin Bernard?"

She instantly withdrew her arm and moved back very quickly a step ortwo across the rug. She did it almost with the motion which she mighthave used had he insulted her; or had a man spoken such words whowould not, under any circumstances, have a right to speak them. 

"Ah, yes! I thought it would be so, " he said. "I may go now, and mayknow that I have been turned out. "

"What is it you mean, Dr Crofts? What is it you are saying? Why doyou talk that nonsense, trying to see if you can provoke me?"

"Yes; it is nonsense. I have no right to address you in that way, andcertainly should not have done it now that I am in your house in theway of my profession. I beg your pardon. " Now he also was standing, but he had not moved from his side of the fireplace. "Are you goingto forgive me before I go?"

"Forgive you for what?" said she. 

"For daring to love you; for having loved you almost as long as youcan remember; for loving you better than all beside. This alone youshould forgive; but will you forgive me for having told it?"

He had made her no offer, nor did she expect that he was about tomake one. She herself had hardly yet realised the meaning of hiswords, and she certainly had asked herself no question as to theanswer which she should give to them. There are cases in which loverspresent themselves in so unmistakable a guise, that the first wordof open love uttered by them tells their whole story, and tells itwithout the possibility of a surprise. And it is generally so whenthe lover has not been an old friend, when even his acquaintancehas been of modern date. It had been so essentially in the case ofCrosbie and Lily Dale. When Crosbie came to Lily and made his offer, he did it with perfect ease and thorough self-possession, for healmost knew that it was expected. And Lily, though she had beenflurried for a moment, had her answer pat enough. She already lovedthe man with all her heart, delighted in his presence, basked inthe sunshine of his manliness, rejoiced in his wit, and had tunedher ears to the tone of his voice. It had all been done, and theworld expected it. Had he not made his offer, Lily would have beenill-treated;--though, alas, alas, there was future ill-treatment, somuch heavier, in store for her! But there are other cases in which alover cannot make himself known as such without great difficulty, and when he does do so, cannot hope for an immediate answer in hisfavour. It is hard upon old friends that this difficulty shouldusually fall the heaviest upon them. Crofts had been so intimate withthe Dale family that very many persons had thought it probable thathe would marry one of the girls. Mrs Dale herself had thought so, andhad almost hoped it. Lily had certainly done both. These thoughts andhopes had somewhat faded away, but yet their former existence shouldhave been in the doctor's favour. But now, when he had in some wayspoken out, Bell started back from him and would not believe that hewas in earnest. She probably loved him better than any man in theworld, and yet, when he spoke to her of love, she could not bringherself to understand him. 

"I don't know what you mean, Dr Crofts; indeed I do not, " she said. 

"I had meant to ask you to be my wife; simply that. But you shall nothave the pain of making me a positive refusal. As I rode here to-dayI thought of it. During my frequent rides of late I have thought oflittle else. But I told myself that I had no right to do it. I havenot even a house in which it would be fit that you should live. "

"Dr Crofts, if I loved you, --if I wished to marry you--" and then shestopped herself. 

"But you do not?"

"No; I think not. I suppose not. No. But in any way no considerationabout money has anything to do with it. "

"But I am not that butcher or that baker whom you could love?"

"No, " said Bell; and then she stopped herself from further speech, not as intending to convey all her answer in that one word, but asnot knowing how to fashion any further words. 

"I knew it would be so, " said the doctor. 

It will, I fear, be thought by those who condescend to criticise thislover's conduct and his mode of carrying on his suit, that he wasvery unfit for such work. Ladies will say that he wanted courage, andmen will say that he wanted wit. I am inclined, however, to believethat he behaved as well as men generally do behave on such occasions, and that he showed himself to be a good average lover. There is yourbold lover, who knocks his lady-love over as he does a bird, andwho would anathematise himself all over, and swear that his gun wasdistraught, and look about as though he thought the world was comingto an end, if he missed to knock over his bird. And there is yourtimid lover, who winks his eyes when he fires, who has felt certainfrom the moment in which he buttoned on his knickerbockers that heat any rate would kill nothing, and who, when he hears the loudcongratulations of his friends, cannot believe that he really did bagthat beautiful winged thing by his own prowess. The beautiful wingedthing which the timid man carries home in his bosom, declining tohave it thrown into a miscellaneous cart, so that it may neverbe lost in a common crowd of game, is better to him than are theslaughtered hecatombs to those who kill their birds by the hundred. 

But Dr Crofts had so winked his eye, that he was not in the leastaware whether he had winged his bird or no. Indeed, having no one athand to congratulate him, he was quite sure that the bird had flownaway uninjured into the next field. "No" was the only word which Bellhad given in answer to his last sidelong question, and No is not acomfortable word to lovers. But there had been that in Bell's Nowhich might have taught him that the bird was not escaping without awound, if he had still had any of his wits about him. 

"Now I will go, " said he. Then he paused for an answer, but nonecame. "And you will understand what I meant when I spoke of beingturned out. "

"Nobody--turns you out. " And Bell, as she spoke, had almost descendedto a sob. 

"It is time, at any rate, that I should go; is it not? And, Bell, don't suppose that this little scene will keep me away from yoursister's bedside. I shall be here to-morrow, and you will find thatyou will hardly know me again for the same person. " Then in the darkhe put out his hand to her. 

"Good-bye, " she said, giving him her hand. He pressed hers veryclosely, but she, though she wished to do so, could not bring herselfto return the pressure. Her hand remained passive in his, showing nosign of offence; but it was absolutely passive. 

"Good-bye, dearest friend, " he said. 

"Good-bye, " she answered, --and then he was gone. 

She waited quite still till she heard the front-door close after him, and then she crept silently up to her own bedroom, and sat herselfdown in a low rocking-chair over the fire. It was in accordance witha custom already established that her mother should remain with Lilytill the tea was ready downstairs; for in these days of illness suchdinners as were provided were eaten early. Bell, therefore, knew thatshe had still some half-hour of her own, during which she might sitand think undisturbed. 

And what naturally should have been her first thoughts? That she hadruthlessly refused a man who, as she now knew, loved her well, andfor whom she had always felt at any rate the warmest friendship? Suchwere not her thoughts, nor were they in any way akin to this. Theyran back instantly to years gone by, --over long years, as her fewyears were counted, and settled themselves on certain halcyon days, in which she had dreamed that he had loved her, and had fanciedthat she had loved him. How she had schooled herself for those dayssince that, and taught herself to know that her thoughts had beenover-bold! And now it had all come round. The only man that shehad ever liked had loved her. Then there came to her a memory of acertain day, in which she had been almost proud to think that Crosbiehad admired her, in which she had almost hoped that it might be so;and as she thought of this she blushed, and struck her foot twiceupon the floor. "Dear Lily, " she said to herself--"poor Lily!" Butthe feeling which induced her then to think of her sister had had norelation to that which had first brought Crosbie into her mind. 

And this man had loved her through it all, --this priceless, peerlessman, --this man who was as true to the backbone as that other man hadshown himself to be false; who was as sound as the other man hadproved himself to be rotten. A smile came across her face as she satlooking at the fire, thinking of this. A man had loved her, whoselove was worth possessing. She hardly remembered whether or no shehad refused him or accepted him. She hardly asked herself what shewould do. As to all that it was necessary that she should have manythoughts, but the necessity did not press upon her quite immediately. For the present, at any rate, she might sit and triumph;--and thustriumphant she sat there till the old nurse came in and told her thather mother was waiting for her below. 

CHAPTER XL

Preparations for the Wedding

The fourteenth of February was finally settled as the day on whichMr Crosbie was to be made the happiest of men. A later day had beenat first named, the twenty-seventh or twenty-eighth having beensuggested as an improvement over the first week in March; but LadyAmelia had been frightened by Crosbie's behaviour on that Sundayevening, and had made the countess understand that there should be nounnecessary delay. "He doesn't scruple at that kind of thing, " LadyAmelia had said in one of her letters, showing perhaps less trust inthe potency of her own rank than might have been expected from her. The countess, however, had agreed with her, and when Crosbie receivedfrom his mother-in-law a very affectionate epistle, setting forth allthe reasons which would make the fourteenth so much more convenienta day than the twenty-eighth, he was unable to invent an excuse fornot being made happy a fortnight earlier than the time named in thebargain. His first impulse had been against yielding, arising fromsome feeling which made him think that more than the bargain oughtnot to be exacted. But what was the use to him of quarrelling? Whatthe use, at least, of quarrelling just then? He believed that hecould more easily enfranchise himself from the de Courcy tyranny whenhe should be once married than he could do now. When Lady Alexandrinashould be his own he would let her know that he intended to be hermaster. If in doing so it would be necessary that he should dividehimself altogether from the de Courcys, such division should be made. At the present moment he would yield to them, at any rate in thismatter. And so the fourteenth of February was fixed for the marriage. 

In the second week in January Alexandrina came up to look after herthings; or, in more noble language, to fit herself with becomingbridal appanages. As she could not properly do all this work alone, or even under the surveillance and with the assistance of a sister, Lady de Courcy was to come up also. But Alexandrina came first, remaining with her sister in St. John's Wood till the countess shouldarrive. The countess had never yet condescended to accept of herson-in-law's hospitality, but always went to the cold, comfortlesshouse in Portman Square, --the house which had been the de Courcy townfamily mansion for many years, and which the countess would longsince have willingly exchanged for some abode on the other side ofOxford Street; but the earl had been obdurate; his clubs and certainlodgings which he had occasionally been wont to occupy, were on theright side of Oxford Street; why should he change his old familyresidence? So the countess was coming up to Portman Square, nothaving been even asked on this occasion to St. John's Wood. 

"Don't you think we'd better, " Mr Gazebee had said to his wife, almost trembling at the renewal of his own proposition. 

"I think not, my dear, " Lady Amelia had answered. "Mamma is not veryparticular; but there are little things, you know--"

"Oh, yes, of course, " said Mr Gazebee; and then the conversation hadbeen dropped. He would most willingly have entertained his augustmother-in-law during her visit to the metropolis, and yet herpresence in his house would have made him miserable as long as sheremained there. 

But for a week Alexandrina sojourned under Mr Gazebee's roof, duringwhich time Crosbie was made happy with all the delights of anexpectant bridegroom. Of course he was given to understand that hewas to dine at the Gazebees' every day, and spend all his eveningsthere; and, under the circumstances, he had no excuse for not doingso. Indeed, at the present moment, his hours would otherwise havehung heavily enough upon his hands. In spite of his bold resolutionwith reference to his eye, and his intention not to be debarred fromthe pleasures of society by the marks of the late combat, he had not, since that occurrence, frequented his club very closely; and thoughLondon was now again becoming fairly full, he did not find himselfgoing out so much as had been his wont. The brilliance of his comingmarriage did not seem to have added much to his popularity; infact, the world, --his world, --was beginning to look coldly at him. Therefore that daily attendance at St. John's Wood was not felt to beso irksome as might have been expected. 

A residence had been taken for the couple in a very fashionable rowof buildings abutting upon the Bayswater Road, called Princess RoyalCrescent. The house was quite new, and the street being unfinishedhad about it a strong smell of mortar, and a general aspect ofbuilders' poles and brickbats; but nevertheless, it was acknowledgedto be a quite correct locality. From one end of the crescent a cornerof Hyde Park could be seen, and the other abutted on a very handsometerrace indeed, in which lived an ambassador, --from South America, --afew bankers' senior clerks, and a peer of the realm. We know how vileis the sound of Baker Street, and how absolutely foul to the politeear is the name of Fitzroy Square. The houses, however, in thosepurlieus are substantial, warm, and of good size. The house inPrincess Royal Crescent was certainly not substantial, for in thesedays substantially-built houses do not pay. It could hardly havebeen warm, for, to speak the truth, it was even yet not finishedthroughout; and as for the size, though the drawing-room was a nobleapartment, consisting of a section of the whole house, with a cornercut out for the staircase, it was very much cramped in its otherparts, and was made like a cherub, in this respect, that it hadno rear belonging to it. "But if you have no private fortune ofyour own, you cannot have everything, " as the countess observedwhen Crosbie objected to the house because a closet under thekitchen-stairs was to be assigned to him as his own dressing-room. 

When the question of the house was first debated, Lady Amelia hadbeen anxious that St. John's Wood should be selected as the site, butto this Crosbie had positively objected. 

"I think you don't like St. John's Wood, " Lady Amelia had said tohim somewhat sternly, thinking to awe him into a declaration that heentertained no general enmity to the neighbourhood. But Crosbie wasnot weak enough for this. 

"No; I do not, " he said. "I have always disliked it. It amounts to aprejudice, I dare say. But if I were made to live here I am convincedI should cut my throat in the first six months. "

Lady Amelia had then drawn herself up, declaring her sorrow that herhouse should be so hateful to him. 

"Oh, dear, no, " said he. "I like it very much for you, and enjoycoming here of all things. I speak only of the effect which livinghere myself would have upon me. "

Lady Amelia was quite clever enough to understand it all; but shehad her sister's interest at heart, and therefore persevered in heraffectionate solicitude for her brother-in-law, giving up that pointas to St. John's Wood. Crosbie himself had wished to go to one of thenew Pimlico squares down near Vauxhall Bridge and the river, actuatedchiefly by consideration of the enormous distance lying between thatlocality and the northern region in which Lady Amelia lived; butto this Lady Alexandrina had objected strongly. If, indeed, theycould have achieved Eaton Square, or a street leading out of EatonSquare, --if they could have crept on to the hem of the skirt ofBelgravia, --the bride would have been delighted. And at first she wasvery nearly being taken in with the idea that such was the proposalmade to her. Her geographical knowledge of Pimlico had not beenperfect, and she had nearly fallen into a fatal error. But a friendhad kindly intervened. "For heaven's sake, my dear, don't let himtake you anywhere beyond Eccleston Square!" had been exclaimed to herin dismay by a faithful married friend. Thus warned, Alexandrina hadbeen firm, and now their tent was to be pitched in Princess RoyalCrescent, from one end of which the Hyde Park may be seen. 

The furniture had been ordered chiefly under the inspection, and bythe experience, of the Lady Amelia. Crosbie had satisfied himselfby declaring that she at any rate could get the things cheaper thanhe could buy them, and that he had no taste for such employment. Nevertheless, he had felt that he was being made subject to tyrannyand brought under the thumb of subjection. He could not go cordiallyinto this matter of beds and chairs, and, therefore, at last deputedthe whole matter to the de Courcy faction. And for this there wasanother reason, not hitherto mentioned. Mr Mortimer Gazebee wasfinding the money with which all the furniture was being bought. He, with an honest but almost unintelligible zeal for the de Courcyfamily, had tied up every shilling on which he could lay his hand asbelonging to Crosbie, in the interest of Lady Alexandrina. He hadgone to work for her, scraping here and arranging there, strappingthe new husband down upon the grindstone of his matrimonialsettlement, as though the future bread of his, Gazebee's, ownchildren were dependent on the validity of his legal workmanship. And for this he was not to receive a penny, or gain any advantage, immediate or ulterior. It came from his zeal, --his zeal for thecoronet which Lord de Courcy wore. According to his mind an earl andan earl's belongings were entitled to such zeal. It was the theoryin which he had been educated, and amounted to a worship which, unconsciously, he practised. Personally, he disliked Lord de Courcy, who ill-treated him. He knew that the earl was a heartless, cruel, bad man. But as an earl he was entitled to an amount of service whichno commoner could have commanded from Mr Gazebee. Mr Gazebee, havingthus tied up all the available funds in favour of Lady Alexandrina'sseemingly expected widowhood, was himself providing the money withwhich the new house was to be furnished. "You can pay me a hundredand fifty a year with four per cent. Till it is liquidated, " he hadsaid to Crosbie; and Crosbie had assented with a grunt. Hitherto, though he had lived in London expensively, and as a man of fashion, he had never owed any one anything. He was now to begin that careerof owing. But when a clerk in a public office marries an earl'sdaughter, he cannot expect to have everything his own way. 

Lady Amelia had bought the ordinary furniture, --the beds, thestair-carpets, the washing-stands, and the kitchen things. Gazebee had got a bargain of the dinner-table and sideboard. But Lady Alexandrina herself was to come up with reference tothe appurtenances of the drawing-room. It was with referenceto matters of costume that the countess intended to lend herassistance, --matters of costume as to which the bill could not besent in to Gazebee, and be paid for by him with five per cent. Dulycharged against the bridegroom. The bridal trousseau must be producedby de Courcy's means, and, therefore, it was necessary that thecountess herself should come upon the scene. "I will have no bills, d'ye hear?" snarled the earl, gnashing and snapping upon his wordswith one specially ugly black tooth. "I won't have any bills aboutthis affair. " And yet he made no offer of ready money. It was verynecessary under such circumstances that the countess herself shouldcome upon the scene. An ambiguous hint had been conveyed to MrGazebee, during a visit of business which he had lately made toCourcy Castle, that the milliner's bills might as well be pinnedon to those of the furniture-makers, the crockery-mongers, and thelike. The countess, putting it in her own way, had gently suggestedthat the fashion of the thing had changed lately, and that such anarrangement was considered to be the proper thing among people wholived really in the world. But Gazebee was a clear-headed, honestman; and he knew the countess. He did not think that such anarrangement could be made on the present occasion. Whereupon thecountess pushed her suggestion no further, but made up her mind thatshe must come up to London herself. 

It was pleasant to see the Ladies Amelia and Alexandrina, as they satwithin a vast emporium of carpets in Bond Street, asking questions ofthe four men who were waiting upon them, putting their heads togetherand whispering, calculating accurately as to extra twopences a yard, and occasioning as much trouble as it was possible for them to give. It was pleasant because they managed their large hoops cleverly amongthe huge rolls of carpets, because they were enjoying themselvesthoroughly, and taking to themselves the homage of the men as clearlytheir due. But it was not so pleasant to look at Crosbie, who wasfidgeting to get away to his office, to whom no power of choosingin the matter was really given, and whom the men regarded as beingaltogether supernumerary. The ladies had promised to be at theshop by half-past ten, so that Crosbie should reach his office ateleven--or a little after. But it was nearly eleven before they leftthe Gazebee residence, and it was very evident that half-an-houramong the carpets would be by no means sufficient. It seemed asthough miles upon miles of gorgeous colouring were unrolled beforethem; and then when any pattern was regarded as at all practicable, it was unrolled backwards and forwards till a room was nearly coveredby it. Crosbie felt for the men who were hauling about the huge heapsof material; but Lady Amelia sat as composed as though it were herduty to inspect every yard of stuff in the warehouse. "I think we'lllook at that one at the bottom again. " Then the men went to work andremoved a mountain. "No, my dear, that green in the scroll-work won'tdo. It would fly directly, if any hot water were spilt. " The man, smiling ineffably, declared that that particular green never flewanywhere. But Lady Amelia paid no attention to him, and the carpetfor which the mountain had been removed became part of anothermountain. 

"That might do, " said Alexandrina, gazing upon a magnificent crimsonground through which rivers of yellow meandered, carrying with themin their streams an infinity of blue flowers. And as she spoke sheheld her head gracefully on one side, and looked down upon the carpetdoubtingly. Lady Amelia poked it with her parasol at though to testits durability, and whispered something about yellows showing thedirt. Crosbie took out his watch and groaned. 

"It's a superb carpet, my lady, and about the newest thing we have. We put down four hundred and fifty yards of it for the Duchess ofSouth Wales, at Cwddglwlch Castle, only last month. Nobody has hadit since, for it has not been in stock. " Whereupon Lady Amelia againpoked it, and then got up and walked upon it. Lady Alexandrina heldher head a little more on one side. 

"Five and three?" said Lady Amelia. 

"Oh, no, my lady; five and seven; and the cheapest carpet we have inthe house. There is twopence a yard more in the colour; there is, indeed. "

"And the discount?" asked Lady Amelia. 

"Two and a half, my lady. "

"Oh dear, no, " said Lady Amelia. "I always have five per cent. Forimmediate payment--quite immediate, you know. " Upon which the mandeclared the question must be referred to his master. Two and a halfwas the rule of the house. Crosbie, who had been looking out of thewindow, said that upon his honour he couldn't wait any longer. 

"And what do you think of it, Adolphus?", asked Alexandrina. 

"Think of what?"

"Of the carpet--this one, you know!"

"Oh--what do I think of the carpet? I don't think I quite like allthese yellow bands; and isn't it too red? I should have thoughtsomething brown with a small pattern would have been better. But, upon my word, I don't much care. "

"Of course he doesn't, " said Lady Amelia. Then the two ladies puttheir heads together for another five minutes, and the carpet waschosen--subject to that question of the discount. "And now about therug, " said Lady Amelia. But here Crosbie rebelled, and insisted thathe must leave them and go to his office. "You can't want me aboutthe rug, " he said. "Well, perhaps not, " said Lady Amelia. But it wasmanifest that Alexandrina did not approve of being thus left by hermale attendant. 

The same thing happened in Oxford Street with reference to the chairsand sofas, and Crosbie began to wish that he were settled, eventhough he should have to dress himself in the closet below thekitchen-stairs. He was learning to hate the whole household in St. John's Wood, and almost all that belonged to it. He was introducedthere to little family economies of which hitherto he had knownnothing, and which were disgusting to him, and the necessity forwhich was especially explained to him. It was to men placed as hewas about to place himself that these economies were so vitallyessential--to men who with limited means had to maintain a decorousoutward face towards the fashionable world. Ample supplies ofbutchers' meat and unlimited washing-bills might be very well uponfifteen hundred a year to those who went out but seldom, and whocould use the first cab that came to hand when they did go out. But there were certain things that Lady Alexandrina must do, andtherefore the strictest household economy became necessary. WouldLily Dale have required the use of a carriage, got up to look asthough it were private, at the expense of her husband's beefsteaksand clean shirts? That question and others of that nature were askedby Crosbie within his own mind, not unfrequently. 

But, nevertheless, he tried to love Alexandrina, or rather topersuade himself that he loved her. If he could only get her awayfrom the de Courcy faction, and especially from the Gazebee branchof it, he would break her of all that. He would teach her to sittriumphantly in a street cab, and to cater for her table with aplentiful hand. Teach her!--at some age over thirty; and with suchcareful training as she had already received! Did he intend to forbidher ever again to see her relations, ever to go to St. John's Wood, or to correspond with the countess and Lady Margaretta? Teach her, indeed! Had he yet to learn that he could not wash a blackamoorwhite? that he could not have done so even had he himself been welladapted for the attempt, whereas he was in truth nearly as illadapted as a man might be? But who could pity him? Lily, whom hemight have had in his bosom, would have been no blackamoor. 

Then came the time of Lady de Courcy's visit to town, and Alexandrinamoved herself off to Portman Square. There was some apparent comfortin this to Crosbie, for he would thereby be saved from those dailydreary journeys up to the north-west. I may say that he positivelyhated that windy corner near the church, round which he had to walkin getting to the Gazebee residence, and that he hated the lamp whichguided him to the door, and the very door itself. This door stoodburied as it were in a wall, and opened on to a narrow passage whichran across a so-called garden, or front yard, containing on each sidetwo iron receptacles for geraniums, painted to look like Palissyware, and a naked female on a pedestal. No spot in London was, as hethought, so cold as the bit of pavement immediately in front of thatdoor. And there he would be kept five, ten, fifteen minutes, as hedeclared--though I believe in my heart that the time never exceededthree--while Richard was putting off the trappings of his work andputting on the trappings of his grandeur. 

If people would only have their doors opened to you by suchassistance as may come most easily and naturally to the work! I stoodlately for some minutes on a Tuesday afternoon at a gallant portal, and as I waxed impatient a pretty maiden came and opened it. Shewas a pretty maiden, though her hands and face and apron told talesof the fire-grates. "Laws, sir, " she said, "the visitors' day isWednesday; and if you would come then, there would be the man inlivery!" She took my card with the corner of her apron, and did justas well as the man in livery; but what would have happened to her hadher little speech been overheard by her mistress?

Crosbie hated the house in St. John's Wood, and therefore the comingof the countess was a relief to him. Portman Square was easily to bereached, and the hospitalities of the countess would not be pressedupon him so strongly as those of the Gazebees. When he first calledhe was shown into the great family dining-room, which looked outtowards the back of the house. The front windows were, of course, closed, as the family was not supposed to be in London. Here heremained in the room for some quarter of an hour, and then thecountess descended upon him in all her grandeur. Perhaps he had neverbefore seen her so grand. Her dress was very large, and rustledthrough the broad doorway, as if demanding even a broader passage. She had on a wonder of a bonnet, and a velvet mantle that was nearlyas expansive as her petticoats. She threw her head a little back asshe accosted him, and he instantly perceived that he was enveloped inthe fumes of an affectionate but somewhat contemptuous patronage. Inold days he had liked the countess, because her manner to him hadalways been flattering. In his intercourse with her he had been ableto feel that he gave quite as much as he got, and that the countesswas aware of the fact. In all the circumstances of their acquaintancethe ascendancy had been with him, and therefore the acquaintance hadbeen a pleasant one. The countess had been a good-natured, agreeablewoman, whose rank and position had made her house pleasant to him;and therefore he had consented to shine upon her with such light ashe had to give. Why was it that the matter was reversed, now thatthere was so much stronger a cause for good feeling between them? Heknew that there was such change, and with bitter internal upbraidingshe acknowledged to himself that this woman was getting the masteryover him. As the friend of the countess he had been a great man inher eyes;--in all her little words and looks she had acknowledged hispower; but now, as her son-in-law, he was to become a very littleman, --such as was Mortimer Gazebee!

"My dear Adolphus, " she said, taking both his hands, "the day iscoming very near now; is it not?"

"Very near, indeed, " he said. 

"Yes, it is very near. I hope you feel yourself a happy man. "

"Oh, yes, that's of course. "

"It ought to be. Speaking very seriously, I mean that it ought to bea matter of course. She is everything that a man should desire in awife. I am not alluding now to her rank, though of course you feelwhat a great advantage she gives you in this respect. "

Crosbie muttered something as to his consciousness of having drawn aprize in the lottery; but he so muttered it as not to convey to thelady's ears a proper sense of his dependent gratitude. "I know of noman more fortunate than you have been, " she continued; "and I hopethat my dear girl will find that you are fully aware that it is so. I think that she is looking rather fagged. You have allowed her to domore than was good for her in the way of shopping. "

"She has done a good deal, certainly, " said Crosbie. 

"She is so little used to anything of that kind! But of course, asthings have turned out, it was necessary that she should see to thesethings herself. "

"I rather think she liked it, " said Crosbie. 

"I believe she will always like doing her duty. We are just going nowto Madame Millefranc's, to see some silks;--perhaps you would wish togo with us?"

Just at this moment Alexandrina came into the room, and looked asthough she were in all respects a smaller edition of her mother. They were both well-grown women, with handsome large figures, and acertain air about them which answered almost for beauty. As to thecountess, her face, on close inspection, bore, as it was entitledto do, deep signs of age; but she so managed her face that any suchclose inspection was never made; and her general appearance for hertime of life was certainly good. Very little more than this could besaid in favour of her daughter. 

"Oh dear, no, mamma, " she said, having heard her mother's last words. "He's the worst person in a shop in the world. He likes nothing, anddislikes nothing. Do you, Adolphus?"

"Indeed I do. I like all the cheap things, and dislike all the dearthings. "

"Then you certainly shall not go with us to Madame Millefranc's, "said Alexandrina. 

"It would not matter to him there, you know, my dear, " said thecountess, thinking perhaps of the suggestion she had lately made toMr Gazebee. 

On this occasion Crosbie managed to escape, simply promising toreturn to Portman Square in the evening after dinner. "By-the-by, Adolphus, " said the countess, as he handed her into the hiredcarriage which stood at the door, "I wish you would go to Lambert's, on Ludgate Hill, for me. He has had a bracelet of mine for nearlythree months. Do, there's a good creature. Get it if you can, andbring it up this evening. "

Crosbie, as he made his way back to his office, swore that he wouldnot do the bidding of the countess. He would not trudge off intothe city after her trinkets. But at five o'clock, when he left hisoffice, he did go there. He apologised to himself by saying that hehad nothing else to do, and bethought himself that at the presentmoment his lady mother-in-law's smiles might be more convenient thanher frowns. So he went to Lambert's, on Ludgate Hill, and therelearned that the bracelet had been sent down to Courcy Castle fulltwo months since. 

After that he dined at his club, at Sebright's. He dined alone, sitting by no means in bliss with his half-pint of sherry on thetable before him. A man now and then came up and spoke to him, one afew words, and another a few, and two or three congratulated him asto his marriage; but the club was not the same thing to him as it hadformerly been. He did not stand in the centre of the rug, speakingindifferently to all or any around him, ready with his joke, andloudly on the alert with the last news of the day. How easy it is tobe seen when any man has fallen from his pride of place, though thealtitude was ever so small, and the fall ever so slight. Where is theman who can endure such a fall without showing it in his face, in hisvoice, in his step, and in every motion of every limb? Crosbie knewthat he had fallen, and showed that he knew it by the manner in whichhe ate his mutton-chop. 

At half-past eight he was again in Portman Square, and found the twoladies crowding over a small fire in a small back drawing-room. Thefurniture was all covered with brown holland, and the place had aboutit that cold comfortless feeling which uninhabited rooms alwaysproduce. Crosbie, as he had walked from the club up to PortmanSquare, had indulged in some serious thoughts. The kind of life whichhe had hitherto led had certainly passed away from him. He couldnever again be the pet of a club, or indulged as one to whom all goodthings were to be given without any labour at earning them on his ownpart. Such for some years had been his good fortune, but such couldbe his good fortune no longer. Was there anything within his reachwhich he might take in lieu of that which he had lost? He might stillbe victorious at his office, having more capacity for such victorythan others around him. But such success alone would hardly sufficefor him. Then he considered whether he might not even yet be happy inhis own home, --whether Alexandrina, when separated from her mother, might not become such a wife as he could love. Nothing softens aman's feelings so much as failure, or makes him turn so anxiouslyto an idea of home as buffetings from those he meets abroad. Hehad abandoned Lily because his outer world had seemed to him toobright to be deserted. He would endeavour to supply her place withAlexandrina, because his outer world had seemed to him too harsh tobe supported. Alas! alas! a man cannot so easily repent of his sins, and wash himself white from their stains!

When he entered the room the two ladies were sitting over the fire, as I have stated, and Crosbie could immediately perceive that thespirit of the countess was not serene. In fact there had been a fewwords between the mother and child on that matter of the trousseau, and Alexandrina had plainly told her mother that if she were to bemarried at all she would be married with such garments belonging toher as were fitting for an earl's daughter. It was in vain that hermother had explained with many circumlocutional phrases, that thefitness in this respect should be accommodated rather to the plebeianhusband than to the noble parent. Alexandrina had been very firm, andhad insisted on her rights, giving the countess to understand that ifher orders for finery were not complied with, she would return as aspinster to Courcy, and prepare herself for partnership with Rosina. 

"My dear, " said the countess, piteously, "you can have no idea ofwhat I shall have to go through with your father. And, of course, youcould get all these things afterwards. "

"Papa has no right to treat me in such a way. And if he would notgive me any money himself, he should have let me have some of myown. "

"Ah, my dear, that was Mr Gazebee's fault. "

"I don't care whose fault it was. It certainly was not mine. Iwon't have him to tell me"--"him" was intended to signify AdolphusCrosbie--"that he had to pay for my wedding-clothes. "

"Of course not that, my dear. "

"No; nor yet for the things which I wanted immediately. I'd muchrather go and tell him at once that the marriage must be put off. "

Alexandrina of course carried her point, the countess reflecting witha maternal devotion equal almost to that of the pelican, that theearl could not do more than kill her. So the things were ordered asAlexandrina chose to order them, and the countess desired that thebills might be sent in to Mr Gazebee. Much self-devotion had beendisplayed by the mother, but the mother thought that none had beendisplayed by the daughter, and therefore she had been very cross withAlexandrina. 

Crosbie, taking a chair, sat himself between them, and in a verygood-humoured tone explained the little affair of the bracelet. "Yourladyship's memory must have played you false, " said he, with a smile. 

"My memory is very good, " said the countess; "very good indeed. IfTwitch got it, and didn't tell me, that was not my fault. " Twitch washer ladyship's lady's-maid. Crosbie, seeing how the land lay, saidnothing more about the bracelet. 

After a minute or two he put out his hand to take that ofAlexandrina. They were to be married now in a week or two, and such asign of love might have been allowed to him, even in the presence ofthe bride's mother. He did succeed in getting hold of her fingers, but found in them none of the softness of a response. "Don't, " saidLady Alexandrina, withdrawing her hand; and the tone of her voice asshe spoke the word was not sweet to his ears. He remembered at themoment a certain scene which took place one evening at the littlebridge at Allington, and Lily's voice, and Lily's words, and Lily'spassion, as he caressed her: "Oh, my love, my love, my love!"

"My dear, " said the countess, "they know how tired I am. I wonderwhether they are going to give us any tea. " Whereupon Crosbie rangthe bell, and, on resuming his chair, moved it a little farther awayfrom his lady-love. 

Presently the tea was brought to them by the housekeeper's assistant, who did not appear to have made herself very smart for the occasion, and Crosbie thought that he was _de trop_. This, however, was amistake on his part. As he had been admitted into the family, suchlittle matters were no longer subject of care. Two or three monthssince, the countess would have fainted at the idea of such a domesticappearing with a tea-tray before Mr Crosbie. Now, however, she wasutterly indifferent to any such consideration. Crosbie was to beadmitted into the family, thereby becoming entitled to certainprivileges, --and thereby also becoming subject to certain domesticdrawbacks. In Mrs Dale's little household there had been no rising tograndeur; but then, also, there had never been any bathos of dirt. Ofthis also Crosbie thought as he sat with his tea in his hand. 

He soon, however, got himself away. When he rose to go Alexandrinaalso rose, and he was permitted to press his nose against hercheekbone by way of a salute. 

"Good-night, Adolphus, " said the countess, putting out her hand tohim. "But stop a minute; I know there is something I want you todo for me. But you will look in as you go to your office to-morrowmorning. "

CHAPTER XLI

Domestic Troubles

When Crosbie was making his ineffectual inquiry after Lady deCourcy's bracelet at Lambert's, John Eames was in the act of enteringMrs Roper's front door in Burton Crescent. 

"Oh, John, where's Mr Cradell?" were the first words which greetedhim, and they were spoken by the divine Amelia. Now, in her usualpractice of life, Amelia did not interest herself much as to thewhereabouts of Mr Cradell. 

"Where's Cradell?" said Eames, repeating the question. "Upon my word, I don't know. I walked to the office with him, but I haven't seen himsince. We don't sit in the same room, you know. "

"John!" and then she stopped. 

"What's up now?" said John. 

"John! That woman's off and left her husband. As sure as your name'sJohn Eames, that foolish fellow has gone off with her. "

"What, Cradell? I don't believe it. "

"She went out of this house at two o'clock in the afternoon, and hasnever been back since. " That, certainly, was only four hours fromthe present time, and such an absence from home in the middle ofthe day was but weak evidence on which to charge a married womanwith the great sin of running off with a lover. This Amelia felt, and therefore she went on to explain. "He's there upstairs in thedrawing-room, the very picture of disconsolateness. "

"Who, --Cradell?"

"Lupex is. He's been drinking a little, I'm afraid; but he's veryunhappy, indeed. He had an appointment to meet his wife here at fouro'clock, and when he came he found her gone. He rushed up into theirroom, and now he says she has broken open a box he had and taken offall his money. "

"But he never had any money. "

"He paid mother some the day before yesterday. "

"That's just the reason he shouldn't have any to-day. "

"She certainly has taken things she wouldn't have taken if she'dmerely gone out shopping or anything like that, for I've been up inthe room and looked about. She'd three necklaces. They weren't muchaccount; but she must have them all on, or else have got them in herpocket. "

"Cradell has never gone off with her in that way. He may be a fool--"

"Oh, he is, you know. I've never seen such a fool about a woman as hehas been. "

"But he wouldn't be a party to stealing a lot of trumpery trinkets, or taking her husband's money. Indeed, I don't think he has anythingto do with it. " Then Eames thought ever the circumstances of theday, and remembered that he had certainly not seen Cradell sincethe morning. It was that public servant's practice to saunter intoEames's room in the middle of the day, and there consume bread andcheese and beer, --in spite of an assertion which Johnny had once madeas to crumbs of biscuit bathed in ink. But on this special day he hadnot done so. "I can't think he has been such a fool as that, " saidJohnny. 

"But he has, " said Amelia. "It's dinner-time now, and where is he?Had he any money left, Johnny?"

So interrogated, Eames disclosed a secret confided to him by hisfriend which no other circumstances would have succeeded in draggingfrom his breast. 

"She borrowed twelve pounds from him about a fortnight since, immediately after quarter-day. And she owed him money, too, beforethat. "

"Oh, what a soft!" exclaimed Amelia; "and he hasn't paid mother ashilling for the last two months!"

"It was his money, perhaps, that Mrs Roper got from Lupex the daybefore yesterday. If so, it comes to the same thing as far as she isconcerned, you know. "

"And what are we to do now?" said Amelia, as she went before herlover upstairs. "Oh, John, what will become of me if ever you serveme in that way? What should I do if you were to go off with anotherlady?"

"Lupex hasn't gone off, " said Eames, who hardly knew what to saywhen the matter was brought before him with so closely personal areference. 

"But it's the same thing, " said Amelia. "Hearts is divided. Heartsthat have been joined together ought never to be divided; oughtthey?" And then she hung upon his arm just as they got to thedrawing-room door. 

"Hearts and darts are all my eye, " said Johnny. "My belief is thata man had better never marry at all. How d'you do, Mr Lupex? Isanything the matter?"

Mr Lupex was seated on a chair in the middle of the room, and wasleaning with his head over the back of it. So despondent was he inhis attitude that his head would have fallen off and rolled on to thefloor, had it followed the course which its owner seemed to intendthat it should take. His hands hung down also along the back legs ofthe chair, till his fingers almost touched the ground, and altogetherhis appearance was pendent, drooping, and woebegone. Miss Sprucewas seated in one corner of the room, with her hands folded in herlap before her, and Mrs Roper was standing on the rug with a lookof severe virtue on her brow, --of virtue which, to judge by itsappearance, was very severe. Nor was its severity intended to beexercised solely against Mrs Lupex. Mrs Roper was becoming very tiredof Mr Lupex also, and would not have been unhappy if he also had runaway, --leaving behind him so much of his property as would have paidhis bill. 

Mr Lupex did not stir when first addressed by John Eames, but acertain convulsive movement was to be seen on the back of his head, indicating that this new arrival in the drawing-room had produced afresh accession of agony. The chair, too, quivered under him, andhis fingers stretched themselves nearer to the ground and shookthemselves. 

"Mr Lupex, we're going to dinner immediately, " said Mrs Roper. "MrEames, where is your friend, Mr Cradell?"

"Upon my word I don't know, " said Eames. 

"But I know, " said Lupex, jumping up and standing at his full height, while he knocked down the chair which had lately supported him. "Thetraitor to domestic bliss! I know. And wherever he is, he has thatfalse woman in his arms. Would he were here!" And as he expressedthe last wish he went through a motion with his hands and arms whichseemed intended to signify that if that unfortunate young man were inthe company he would pull him in pieces and double him up, and packhim close, and then despatch his remains off, through infinite space, to the Prince of Darkness. "Traitor, " he exclaimed, as he finishedthe process. "False traitor! Foul traitor! And she too!" Then, as hethought of this softer side of the subject, he prepared himself torelapse again on to the chair. Finding it on the ground he had topick it up. He did pick it up, and once more flung away his head overthe back of it, and stretched his finger-nails almost down to thecarpet. 

"James, " said Mrs Roper to her son, who was now in the room, "I thinkyou'd better stay with Mr Lupex while we are at dinner. Come, MissSpruce, I'm very sorry that you should be annoyed by this kind ofthing. "

"It don't hurt me, " said Miss Spruce, preparing to leave the room. "I'm only an old woman. "

"Annoyed!" said Lupex, raising himself again from his chair, notperhaps altogether disposed to remain upstairs while the dinner, forwhich it was intended that he should some day pay, was being eatenbelow. "Annoyed! It is a profound sorrow to me that any lady shouldbe annoyed by my misfortunes. As regards Miss Spruce, I look upon hercharacter with profound veneration. "

"You needn't mind me; I'm only an old woman, " said Miss Spruce. 

"But, by heavens, I do mind!" exclaimed Lupex; and hurrying forwardhe seized Miss Spruce by the hand. "I shall always regard age asentitled--" But the special privileges which Mr Lupex would haveaccorded to age were never made known to the inhabitants of MrsRoper's boarding-house, for the door of the room was again openedat this moment, and Mr Cradell entered. 

"Here you are, old fellow, to answer for yourself, " said Eames. 

Cradell, who had heard something as he came in at the front door, but had not heard that Lupex was in the drawing-room, made a slightstart backwards when he saw that gentleman's face. "Upon my word andhonour, " he began;--but he was able to carry his speech no further. Lupex, dropping the hand of the elderly lady whom he reverenced, wasupon him in an instant, and Cradell was shaking beneath his grasplike an aspen leaf, --or rather not like an aspen leaf, unless anaspen leaf when shaken is to be seen with its eyes shut, its mouthopen, and its tongue hanging out. 

"Come, I say, " said Eames, stepping forward to his friend'sassistance; "this won't do at all, Mr Lupex. You've been drinking. You'd better wait till to-morrow morning, and speak to Cradell then. "

"To-morrow morning, viper, " shouted Lupex, still holding his prey, but looking back at Eames over his shoulder. Who the viper was hadnot been clearly indicated. "When will he restore to me my wife? Whenwill he restore to me my honour?"

"Upon-on-on-on my--" It was for the moment in vain that poor MrCradell endeavoured to asseverate his innocence, and to stake hishonour upon his own purity as regarded Mrs Lupex. Lupex still held tohis enemy's cravat, though Eames had now got him by the arm, and sofar impeded his movements as to hinder him from proceeding to anygraver attack. 

"Jemima, Jemima, Jemima!" shouted Mrs Roper. "Run for the police; runfor the police!" But Amelia, who had more presence of mind than hermother, stopped Jemima as she was making to one of the front windows. "Keep where you are, " said Amelia. "They'll come quiet in a minuteor two. " And Amelia no doubt was right. Calling for the police whenthere is a row in the house is like summoning the water-engineswhen the soot is on fire in the kitchen chimney. In such cases goodmanagement will allow the soot to burn itself out, without aid fromthe water-engines. In the present instance the police were not calledin, and I am inclined to think that their presence would not havebeen advantageous to any of the party. 

"Upon--my--honour--I know nothing about her, " were the first wordswhich Cradell was able to articulate, when Lupex, under Eames'spersuasion, at last relaxed his hold. 

Lupex turned round to Miss Spruce with a sardonic grin. "You hear hiswords, --this enemy to domestic bliss, -- Ha, ha! man, tell me whitheryou have conveyed my wife!"

"If you were to give me the Bank of England I don't know, " saidCradell. 

"And I'm sure he does not know, " said Mrs Roper, whose suspicionsagainst Cradell were beginning to subside. But as her suspicionssubsided, her respect for him decreased. Such was the case also withMiss Spruce, and with Amelia, and with Jemima. They had all thoughthim to be a great fool for running away with Mrs Lupex, but nowthey were beginning to think him a poor creature because he had notdone so. Had he committed that active folly he would have been aninteresting fool. But now, if, as they all suspected, he knew no moreabout Mrs Lupex than they did, he would be a fool without any specialinterest whatever. 

"Of course he doesn't, " said Eames. 

"No more than I do, " said Amelia. 

"His very looks show him innocent, " said Mrs Roper. 

"Indeed they do, " said Miss Spruce. 

Lupex turned from one to the other as they thus defended the manwhom he suspected, and shook his head at each assertion that wasmade. "And if he doesn't know who does?" he asked. "Haven't I seenit all for the last three months? Is it reasonable to suppose that acreature such as she, used to domestic comforts all her life, shouldhave gone off in this way, at dinner-time, taking with her myproperty and all her jewels, and that nobody should have instigatedher; nobody assisted her! Is that a story to tell to such a manas me! You may tell it to the marines!" Mr Lupex, as he made thisspeech, was walking about the room, and as he finished it he threwhis pocket-handkerchief with violence on to the floor. "I know whatto do, Mrs Roper, " he said. "I know what steps to take. I shall putthe affair into the hands of my lawyer to-morrow morning. " Then hepicked up his handkerchief and walked down into the dining-room. 

"Of course you know nothing about it?" said Eames to his friend, having run upstairs for the purpose of saying a word to him while hewashed his hands. 

"What, --about Maria? I don't know where she is, if you mean that. "

"Of course I mean that. What else should I mean? And what makes youcall her Maria?"

"It is wrong. I admit it's wrong. The word will come out, you know. "

"Will come out! I'll tell you what it is, old fellow, you'll getyourself into a mess, and all for nothing. That fellow will have youup before the police for stealing his things--"

"But, Johnny--"

"I know all about it. Of course you have not stolen them, and ofcourse there was nothing to steal. But if you go on calling her Mariayou'll find that he'll have a pull on you. Men don't call other men'swives names for nothing. "

"Of course we've been friends, " said Cradell, who rather liked thisview of the matter. 

"Yes, --you have been friends! She's diddled you out of your money, and that's the beginning and the end of it. And now, if you go onshowing off your friendship, you'll be done out of more money. You'remaking an ass of yourself. That's the long and the short of it. "

"And what have you made of yourself with that girl? There are worseasses than I am yet, Master Johnny. " Eames, as he had no answer readyto this counter attack, left the room and went downstairs. Cradellsoon followed him, and in a few minutes they were all eating theirdinner together at Mrs Roper's hospitable table. 

Immediately after dinner Lupex took himself away, and theconversation upstairs became general on the subject of the lady'sdeparture. 

"If I was him I'd never ask a question about her, but let her go, "said Amelia. 

"Yes; and then have all her bills following you, wherever you went, "said Amelia's brother. 

"I'd sooner have her bills than herself, " said Eames. 

"My belief is, that she's been an ill-used woman, " said Cradell. "Ifshe had a husband that she could respect and have loved, and all thatsort of thing, she would have been a charming woman. "

"She's every bit as bad as he is, " said Mrs Roper. 

"I can't agree with you, Mrs Roper, " continued the lady's champion. "Perhaps I ought to understand her position better than any one here, and--"

"Then that's just what you ought not to do, Mr Cradell, " said MrsRoper. And now the lady of the house spoke out her mind with muchmaternal dignity and with some feminine severity. "That's just whata young man like you has no business to know. What's a marriedwoman like that to you, or you to her; or what have you to do withunderstanding her position? When you've a wife of your own, if everyou do have one, you'll find you'll have trouble enough then withoutanybody else interfering with you. Not but what I believe you'reinnocent as a lamb about Mrs Lupex; that is, as far as any harm goes. But you've got yourself into all this trouble by meddling, and waslike enough to get yourself choked upstairs by that man. And who's towonder when you go on pretending to be in love with a woman in thatway, and she old enough to be your mother? What would your mamma sayif she saw you at it?"

"Ha, ha, ha!" laughed Cradell. 

"It's all very well your laughing, but I hate such folly. If I see ayoung man in love with a young woman, I respect him for it;" and thenshe looked at Johnny Eames. "I respect him for it, --even though hemay now and then do things as he shouldn't. They most of 'em doesthat. But to see a young man like you, Mr Cradell, dangling after anold married woman, who doesn't know how to behave herself; and alljust because she lets him to do it;--ugh!--an old broomstick with apetticoat on would do just as well! It makes me sick to see it, andthat's the truth of it. I don't call it manly; and it ain't manly, isit, Miss Spruce?"

"Of course I know nothing about it, " said the lady to whom the appealwas thus made. "But a young gentleman should keep himself to himselftill the time comes for him to speak out, --begging your pardon allthe same, Mr Cradell. "

"I don't see what a married woman should want with any one after herbut her own husband, " said Amelia. 

"And perhaps not always that, " said John Eames. 

It was about an hour after this when the front-door bell was rung, and a scream from Jemima announced to them all that some criticalmoment had arrived. Amelia, jumping up, opened the door, and then therustle of a woman's dress was heard on the lower stairs. "Oh, laws, ma'am, you have given us sich a turn, " said Jemima. "We all thoughtyou was run away. "

"It's Mrs Lupex, " said Amelia. And in two minutes more that ill-usedlady was in the room. 

"Well, my dears, " said she, gaily, "I hope nobody has waited dinner. "

"No; we didn't wait dinner, " said Mrs Roper, very gravely. 

"And where's my Orson? Didn't he dine at home? Mr Cradell, will youoblige me by taking my shawl? But perhaps you had better not. Peopleare so censorious; ain't they, Miss Spruce? Mr Eames shall do it; andeverybody knows that that will be quite safe. Won't it, Miss Amelia?"

"Quite, I should think, " said Amelia. And Mrs Lupex knew that shewas not to look for an ally in that quarter on the present occasion. Eames got up to take the shawl, and Mrs Lupex went on. 

"And didn't Orson dine at home? Perhaps they kept him down at thetheatre. But I've been thinking all day what fun it would be when hethought his bird was flown. "

"He did dine at home, " said Mrs Roper; "and he didn't seem to likeit. There wasn't much fun, I can assure you. "

"Ah, wasn't there, though? I believe that man would like to have metied to his button-hole. I came across a few friends, --lady friends, Mr Cradell, though two of them had their husbands; so we made aparty, and just went down to Hampton Court. So my gentleman has goneagain, has he? That's what I get for gadding about myself, isn't it, Miss Spruce?"

Mrs Roper, as she went to bed that night, made up her mind that, whatever might be the cost and trouble of doing so, she would lose nofurther time in getting rid of her married guests. 

CHAPTER XLII

Lily's Bedside

Lily Dale's constitution was good, and her recovery was retarded byno relapse or lingering debility; but, nevertheless, she was forcedto keep her bed for many days after the fever had left her. Duringall this period Dr Crofts came every day. It was in vain that MrsDale begged him not to do so; telling him in simple words that shefelt herself bound not to accept from him all this continuation ofhis unremunerated labours now that the absolute necessity for themwas over. He answered her only by little jokes, or did not answer herat all; but still he came daily, almost always at the same hour, justas the day was waning, so that he could sit for a quarter of an hourin the dusk, and then ride home to Guestwick in the dark. At thistime Bell had been admitted into her sister's room, and she wouldalways meet Dr Crofts at Lily's bedside; but she never sat withhim alone, since the day on which he had offered her his love withhalf-articulated words, and she had declined it with words alsohalf-articulated. She had seen him alone since that, on the stairs, or standing in the hall, but she had not remained with him, talkingto him after her old fashion, and no further word of his love hadbeen spoken in speech either half or wholly articulate. 

Nor had Bell spoken of what had passed to any one else. Lily wouldprobably have told both her mother and sister instantly; but then nosuch scene as that which had taken place with Bell would have beenpossible with Lily. In whatever way the matter might have gone withher, there would certainly have been some clear tale to tell when theinterview was over. She would have known whether or no she lovedthe man, or could love him, and would have given him some true andintelligible answer. Bell had not done so, but had given him ananswer which, if true, was not intelligible, and if intelligible wasnot true. And yet, when she had gone away to think over what hadpassed, she had been happy and satisfied, and almost triumphant. Shehad never yet asked herself whether she expected anything furtherfrom Dr Crofts, nor what that something further might be, --and yetshe was happy!

Lily had now become pert and saucy in her bed, taking upon herselfthe little airs which are allowed to a convalescent invalid ascompensation for previous suffering and restraint. She pretended tomuch anxiety on the subject of her dinner, and declared that shewould go out on such or such a day, let Dr Crofts be as imperious ashe might. "He's an old savage, after all, " she said to her sister, one evening after he was gone, "and just as bad as the rest of them. "

"I do not know who the rest of them are, " said Bell, "but at any ratehe's not very old. "

"You know what I mean. He's just as grumpy as Dr Gruffen, and thinkseverybody is to do what he tells them. Of course, you take his part. "

"And of course you ought, seeing how good he has been. "

"And of course I should, to anybody but you. I do like to abuse himto you. "

"Lily, Lily!"

"So I do. It's so hard to knock any fire out of you, that when onedoes find the place where the flint lies, one can't help hammering atit. What did he mean by saying that I shouldn't get up on Sunday? Ofcourse I shall get up if I like it. "

"Not if mamma asks you not?"

"Oh, but she won't, unless he interferes and dictates to her. Oh, Bell, what a tyrant he would be if he were married!"

"Would he?"

"And how submissive you would be, if you were his wife! It's athousand pities that you are not in love with each other, --that is, if you are not. "

"Lily, I thought that there was a promise between us about that. "

"Ah! but that was in other days. Things are all altered since thatpromise was given, --all the world has been altered. " And as she saidthis the tone of her voice was changed, and it had become almost sad. "I feel as though I ought to be allowed to speak about anything Iplease. "

"You shall, if it pleases you, my pet. "

"You see how it is, Bell; I can never again have anything of my ownto talk about. "

"Oh, my darling, do not say that. "

"But it is so, Bell; and why not say it? Do you think I neversay it to myself in the hours when I am all alone, thinking overit--thinking, thinking, thinking. You must not, --you must not grudgeto let me talk of it sometimes. "

"I will not grudge you anything;--only I cannot believe that it mustbe so always. "

"Ask yourself, Bell, how it would be with you. But I sometimes fancythat you measure me differently from yourself. "

"Indeed I do, for I know how much better you are. "

"I am not so much better as to be ever able to forget all that. Iknow I never shall do so. I have made up my mind about it clearly andwith an absolute certainty. "

"Lily, Lily, Lily! pray do not say so. "

"But I do say it. And yet I have not been very mopish and melancholy;have I, Bell? I do think I deserve some little credit, and yet, Ideclare, you won't allow me the least privilege in the world. "

"What privilege would you wish me to give you?"

"To talk about Dr Crofts. "

"Lily, you are a wicked, wicked tyrant. " And Bell leaned over her, and fell upon her, and kissed her, hiding her own face in the gloomof the evening. After that it came to be an accepted understandingbetween them that Bell was not altogether indifferent to Dr Crofts. 

"You heard what he said, my darling, " Mrs Dale said the next day, asthe three were in the room together after Dr Crofts was gone. MrsDale was standing on one side of the bed, and Bell on the other, while Lily was scolding them both. "You can get up for an hour or twoto-morrow, but he thinks you had better not go out of the room. "

"What would be the good of that, mamma? I am so tired of lookingalways at the same paper. It is such a tiresome paper. It makes onecount the pattern over and over again. I wonder how you ever can livehere. "

"I've got used to it, you see. "

"I never can get used to that sort of thing; but go on counting, andcounting, and counting. I'll tell you what I should like; and I'msure it would be the best thing, too. "

"And what would you like?" said Bell. 

"Just to get up at nine o'clock to-morrow, and go to church as thoughnothing had happened. Then, when Dr Crofts came in the evening, youwould tell him I was down at the school. "

"I wouldn't quite advise that, " said Mrs Dale. 

"It would give him such a delightful start. And when he found Ididn't die immediately, as of course I ought to do according to rule, he would be so disgusted. "

"It would be very ungrateful, to say the least of it, " said Bell. 

"No, it wouldn't, a bit. He needn't come, unless he likes it. And Idon't believe he comes to see me at all. It's all very well, mamma, your looking in that way; but I'm sure it's true. And I'll tell youwhat I'll do, I'll pretend to be bad again, otherwise the poor manwill be robbed of his only happiness. "

"I suppose we must allow her to say what she likes till she getswell, " said Mrs Dale, laughing. It was now nearly dark, and Mrs Daledid not see that Bell's hand had crept under the bed-clothes, andtaken hold of that of her sister. "It's true, mamma, " continued Lily, "and I defy her to deny it. I would forgive him for keeping me in bedif he would only make her fall in love with him. "

"She has made a bargain, mamma, " said Bell, "that she is to saywhatever she likes till she gets well. "

"I am to say whatever I like always; that was the bargain, and I meanto stand to it. "

On the following Sunday Lily did get up, but did not leave hermother's bedroom. There she was, seated in that half-dignified andhalf-luxurious state which belongs to the first getting up of aninvalid, when Dr Crofts called. There she had eaten her tiny bitof roast mutton, and had called her mother a stingy old creature, because she would not permit another morsel; and there she had drunkher half glass of port wine, pretending that it was very bad, andtwice worse than the doctor's physic; and there, Sunday though itwas, she had fully enjoyed the last hour of daylight, reading thatexquisite new novel which had just completed itself, amidst thejarring criticisms of the youth and age of the reading public. 

"I am quite sure she was right in accepting him, Bell, " she said, putting down the book as the light was fading, and beginning topraise the story. 

"It was a matter of course, " said Bell. "It always is right in thenovels. That's why I don't like them. They are too sweet. "

"That's why I do like them, because they are so sweet. A sermon isnot to tell you what you are, but what you ought to be, and a novelshould tell you not what you are to get, but what you'd like to get. "

"If so, then, I'd go back to the old school, and have the heroinereally a heroine, walking all the way up from Edinburgh to London, and falling among thieves; or else nursing a wounded hero, anddescribing the battle from the window. We've got tired of that; orelse the people who write can't do it nowadays. But if we are to havereal life, let it be real. "

"No, Bell, no, " said Lily. "Real life sometimes is so painful. " Thenher sister, in a moment, was down on the floor at her feet, kissingher hand and caressing her knees, and praying that the wound might behealed. 

On that morning Lily had succeeded in inducing her sister to tellher all that had been said by Dr Crofts. All that had been said byherself also, Bell had intended to tell; but when she came to thispart of the story, her account was very lame. "I don't think I saidanything, " she said. "But silence always gives consent. He'll knowthat, " Lily had rejoined. "No, he will not; my silence didn't giveany consent; I'm sure of that. And he didn't think that it did. " "Butyou didn't mean to refuse him?" "I think I did. I don't think I knewwhat I meant; and it was safer, therefore, to look no, than to lookyes. If I didn't say it, I'm sure I looked it. " "But you wouldn'trefuse him now?" asked Lily. "I don't know, " said Bell. "It seems asthough I should want years to make up my mind; and he won't ask meagain. "

Bell was still at her sister's feet, caressing them, and praying withall her heart that that wound might be healed in due time, when MrsDale came in and announced the doctor's daily visit. "Then I'll go, "said Bell. 

"Indeed you won't, " said Lily. "He is coming simply to make a morningcall, and nobody need run away. Now, Dr Crofts, you need not comeand stand over me with your watch, for I won't let you touch my handexcept to shake hands with me;" and then she held her hand out tohim. "And all you'll know of my tongue you'll learn from the sound. "

"I don't care in the least for your tongue. "

"I dare say not, and yet you may some of these days. I can speak outif I like it; can't I, mamma?"

"I should think Dr Crofts knows that by this time, my dear. "

"I don't know. There are some things gentlemen are very slowto learn. But you must sit down, Dr Crofts, and make yourselfcomfortable and polite; for you must understand that you are notmaster here any longer. I am out of bed now, and your reign is over. "

"That's the gratitude of the world, all through, " said Mrs Dale. 

"Who is ever grateful to a doctor? He only cures you that he maytriumph over some other doctor, and declare, as he goes by DrGruffen's door, 'There, had she called you in, she'd have been deadbefore now; or else would have been ill for twelve months. ' Don'tyou jump for joy when Dr Gruffen's patients die?"

"Of course I do--out in the market-place, so that everybody shallsee me, " said the doctor. 

"Lily, how can you say such shocking things?" said her sister. 

Then the doctor did sit down, and they were all very cosy togetherover the fire, talking about things which were not medical, or onlyhalf medical in their appliance. By degrees the conversation cameround to Mrs Eames and to John Eames. Two or three days since, Croftshad told Mrs Dale of that affair at the railway station, of which upto that time she had heard nothing. Mrs Dale, when she was assuredthat young Eames had given Crosbie a tremendous thrashing--thetidings of the affair which had got themselves substantiated atGuestwick so described the nature of the encounter--could notwithhold some meed of applause. 

"Dear boy!" she said, almost involuntarily. "Dear boy! it came fromthe honestness of his heart!" And then she gave special injunctionsto the doctor, --injunctions which were surely unnecessary, --that noword of the matter should be whispered before Lily. 

"I was at the manor, yesterday, " said the doctor, "and the earl wouldtalk about nothing but Master Johnny. He says he's the finest fellowgoing. " Whereupon Mrs Dale touched him with her foot, fearing thatthe conversation might be led away in the direction of Johnny'sprowess. 

"I am so glad, " said Lily. "I always knew that they'd find John outat last. "

"And Lady Julia is just as fond of him, " said the doctor. 

"Dear me!" said Lily. "Suppose they were to make up a match!"

"Lily, how can you be so absurd?"

"Let me see; what relation would he be to us? He would certainly beBernard's uncle, and Uncle Christopher's half brother-in-law. Wouldn't it be odd?"

"It would rather, " said Mrs Dale. 

"I hope he'll be civil to Bernard. Don't you, Bell? Is he to give upthe Income-tax Office, Dr Crofts?"

"I didn't hear that that was settled yet. " And so they went ontalking about John Eames. 

"Joking apart, " said Lily, "I am very glad that Lord De Guest hastaken him by the hand. Not that I think an earl is better thananybody else, but because it shows that people are beginning tounderstand that he has got something in him. I always said that theywho laughed at John would see him hold up his head yet. " All whichwords sank deep into Mrs Dale's mind. If only, in some coming time, her pet might be taught to love this new young hero! But then wouldnot that last heroic deed of his militate most strongly against anypossibility of such love!

"And now I may as well be going, " said the doctor, rising from hischair. At this time Bell had left the room, but Mrs Dale was stillthere. 

"You need not be in such a hurry, especially this evening, " saidLily. 

"Why especially this evening?"

"Because it will be the last. Sit down again, Dr Crofts. I've got alittle speech to make to you. I've been preparing it all the morning, and you must give me an opportunity of speaking it. "

"I'll come the day after to-morrow, and I'll hear it then. "

"But I choose, sir, that you should hear it now. Am I not to beobeyed when I first get up on to my own throne? Dear, dear Dr Crofts, how am I to thank you for all that you have done?"

"How are any of us to thank him?" said Mrs Dale. 

"I hate thanks, " said the doctor. "One kind glance of the eye isworth them all, and I've had many such in this house. "

"You have our hearts' love, at any rate, " said Mrs Dale. 

"God bless you all!" said he, as he prepared to go. 

"But I haven't made my speech yet, " said Lily. "And to tell thetruth, mamma, you must go away, or I shall never be able to make it. It's very improper, is it not, turning you out, but it shall onlytake three minutes. " Then Mrs Dale, with some little joking word, left the room; but, as she left it, her mind was hardly at ease. Ought she to have gone, leaving it to Lily's discretion to say whatwords he might think fit to Dr Crofts? Hitherto she had never doubtedher daughters--not even their discretion; and therefore it had beennatural to her to go when she was bidden. But as she went downstairsshe had her doubts whether she was right or no. 

"Dr Crofts, " said Lily, as soon as they were alone. "Sit down there, close to me. I want to ask you a question. What was it you said toBell when you were alone with her the other evening in the parlour?"

The doctor sat for a moment without answering, and Lily, who waswatching him closely, could see by the light of the fire that he hadbeen startled--had almost shuddered as the question was asked him. 

"What did I say to her?" and he repeated her words in a very lowvoice. "I asked her if she could love me, and be my wife. "

"And what answer did she make to you?"

"What answer did she make? She simply refused me. "

"No, no, no; don't believe her, Dr Crofts. It was not so;--I think itwas not so. Mind you, I can say nothing as coming from her. She hasnot told me her own mind. But if you really love her, she will be madto refuse you. "

"I do love her, Lily; that at any rate is true. "

"Then go to her again. I am speaking for myself now. I cannot affordto lose such a brother as you would be. I love you so dearly that Icannot spare you. And she, --I think she'll learn to love you as youwould wish to be loved. You know her nature, how silent she is, andaverse to talk about herself. She has confessed nothing to me butthis, --that you spoke to her and took her by surprise. Are we to haveanother chance? I know how wrong I am to ask such a question. But, after all, is not the truth the best?"

"Another chance!"

"I know what you mean, and I think she is worthy to be your wife. Ido, indeed; and if so, she must be very worthy. You won't tell of me, will you now, doctor?"

"No; I won't tell of you. "

"And you'll try again?"

"Yes; I'll try again. "

"God bless you, my brother! I hope, --I hope you'll be my brother. "Then, as he put out his hand to her once more, she raised her headtowards him, and he, stooping down, kissed her forehead. "Make mammacome to me, " were the last words she spoke as he went out at thedoor. 

"So you've made your speech, " said Mrs Dale. 

"Yes, mamma. "

"I hope it was a discreet speech. "

"I hope it was, mamma. But it has made me so tired, and I believeI'll go to bed. Do you know I don't think I should have done muchgood down at the school to-day?"

Then Mrs Dale, in her anxiety to repair what injury might have beendone to her daughter by over-exertion, omitted any further mention ofthe farewell speech. 

Dr Crofts as he rode home enjoyed but little of the triumph of asuccessful lover. "It may be that she's right, " he said to himself;"and, at any rate, I'll ask again. " Nevertheless, that "No" whichBell had spoken, and had repeated, still sounded in his ears harshand conclusive. There are men to whom a peal of noes rattling abouttheir ears never takes the sound of a true denial, and others to whomthe word once pronounced, be it whispered ever so softly, comes asthough it were an unchangeable verdict from the supremejudgment-seat. 

CHAPTER XLIII

Fie, Fie!

Will any reader remember the loves, --no, not the loves; that wordis so decidedly ill-applied as to be incapable of awakening theremembrance of any reader; but the flirtations--of Lady Dumbello andMr Plantagenet Palliser? Those flirtations, as they had been carriedon at Courcy Castle, were laid bare in all their enormities to theeye of the public, and it must be confessed that if the eye of thepublic was shocked, that eye must be shocked very easily. 

But the eye of the public was shocked, and people who were particularas to their morals said very strange things. Lady de Courcy herselfsaid very strange things indeed, shaking her head, and droppingmysterious words; whereas Lady Clandidlem spoke much more openly, declaring her opinion that Lady Dumbello would be off before May. They both agreed that it would not be altogether bad for LordDumbello that he should lose his wife, but shook their heads verysadly when they spoke of poor Plantagenet Palliser. As to the lady'sfate, that lady whom they had both almost worshipped during the daysat Courcy Castle, --they did not seem to trouble themselves aboutthat. 

And it must be admitted that Mr Palliser had been a littleimprudent, --imprudent, that is, if he knew anything about the rumoursafloat, --seeing that soon after his visit at Courcy Castle he hadgone down to Lady Hartletop's place in Shropshire, at which theDumbellos intended to spend the winter, and on leaving it hadexpressed his intention of returning in February. The Hartletoppeople had pressed him very much, --the pressure having come withpeculiar force from Lord Dumbello. Therefore it is reasonable tosuppose that the Hartletop people had at any rate not heard of therumour. 

Mr Plantagenet Palliser spent his Christmas with his uncle, the Dukeof Omnium, at Gatherum Castle. That is to say, he reached the castlein time for dinner on Christmas eve, and left it on the morning afterChristmas day. This was in accordance with the usual practice ofhis life, and the tenants, dependants, and followers of the Omniuminterest were always delighted to see this manifestation of a healthyEnglish domestic family feeling between the duke and his nephew. But the amount of intercourse on such occasions between them wasgenerally trifling. The duke would smile as he put out his right handto his nephew, and say, --

"Well, Plantagenet, --very busy, I suppose?"

The duke was the only living being who called him Plantagenet to hisface, though there were some scores of men who talked of Planty Palbehind his back. The duke had been the only living being so to callhim. Let us hope that it still was so, and that there had arisenno feminine exception, dangerous in its nature and improper in itscircumstances. 

"Well, Plantagenet, " said the duke, on the present occasion, "verybusy, I suppose?"

"Yes, indeed, duke, " said Mr Palliser. "When a man gets the harnesson him he does not easily get quit of it. "

The duke remembered that his nephew had made almost the same remarkat his last Christmas visit. 

"By-the-by, " said the duke, "I want to say a word or two to youbefore you go. "

Such a proposition on the duke's part was a great departure fromhis usual practice, but the nephew of course undertook to obey hisuncle's behests. 

"I'll see you before dinner to-morrow, " said Plantagenet. 

"Ah, do, " said the duke. "I'll not keep you five minutes. " And at sixo'clock on the following afternoon the two were closeted together inthe duke's private room. 

"I don't suppose there is much in it, " began the duke, "but peopleare talking about you and Lady Dumbello. "

"Upon my word, people are very kind. " And Mr Palliser bethoughthimself of the fact, --for it certainly was a fact, --that people fora great many years had talked about his uncle and Lady Dumbello'smother-in-law. 

"Yes; kind enough; are they not? You've just come from Hartlebury, I believe. " Hartlebury was the Marquis of Hartletop's seat inShropshire. 

"Yes, I have. And I'm going there again in February. "

"Ah, I'm sorry for that. Not that I mean, of course, to interferewith your arrangements. You will acknowledge that I have not oftendone so, in any matter whatever. "

"No; you have not, " said the nephew, comforting himself with aninward assurance that no such interference on his uncle's part couldhave been possible. 

"But in this instance it would suit me, and I really think it wouldsuit you too, that you should be as little at Hartlebury as possible. You have said you would go there, and of course you will go. But if Iwere you, I would not stay above a day or two. "

Mr Plantagenet Palliser received everything he had in the world fromhis uncle. He sat in Parliament through his uncle's interest, andreceived an allowance of ever so many thousand a year which his unclecould stop to-morrow by his mere word. He was his uncle's heir, andthe dukedom, with certain entailed properties, must ultimately fallto him, unless his uncle should marry and have a son. But by far thegreater portion of the duke's property was unentailed; the duke mightprobably live for the next twenty years or more; and it was quitepossible that, if offended, he might marry and become a father. Itmay be said that no man could well be more dependent on another thanPlantagenet Palliser was upon his uncle; and it may be said also thatno father or uncle ever troubled his heir with less interference. Nevertheless, the nephew immediately felt himself aggrieved by thisallusion to his private life, and resolved at once that he would notsubmit to such surveillance. 

"I don't know how long I shall stay, " said he; "but I cannot say thatmy visit will be influenced one way or the other by such a rumour asthat. "

"No; probably not. But it may perhaps be influenced by my request. "And the duke, as he spoke, looked a little savage. 

"You wouldn't ask me to regard a report that has no foundation. "

"I am not asking about its foundation. Nor do I in the least wish tointerfere with your manner in life. " By which last observation theduke intended his nephew to understand that he was quite at libertyto take away any other gentleman's wife, but that he was not atliberty to give occasion even for a surmise that he wanted to takeLord Dumbello's wife. "The fact is this, Plantagenet. I have for manyyears been intimate with that family. I have not many intimacies, andshall probably never increase them. Such friends as I have, I wishto keep, and you will easily perceive that any such report as thatwhich I have mentioned, might make it unpleasant for me to go toHartlebury, or for the Hartlebury people to come here. " The dukecertainly could not have spoken plainer, and Mr Palliser understoodhim thoroughly. Two such alliances between the two families could notbe expected to run pleasantly together, and even the rumour of anysuch second alliance might interfere with the pleasantness of theformer one. 

"That's all, " said the duke. 

"It's a most absurd slander, " said Mr Palliser. 

"I dare say. Those slanders always are absurd; but what can we do?We can't tie up people's tongues. " And the duke looked as though hewished to have the subject considered as finished, and to be leftalone. 

"But we can disregard them, " said the nephew, indiscreetly. 

"You may. I have never been able to do so. And yet, I believe, I havenot earned for myself the reputation of being subject to the voicesof men. You think that I am asking much of you; but you shouldremember that hitherto I have given much and have asked nothing. Iexpect you to oblige me in this matter. "

Then Mr Plantagenet Palliser left the room, knowing that he had beenthreatened. What the duke had said amounted to this--If you go ondangling after Lady Dumbello, I'll stop the seven thousand a yearwhich I give you. I'll oppose your next return at Silverbridge, andI'll make a will and leave away from you Matching and The Horns, --abeautiful little place in Surrey, the use of which had been alreadyoffered to Mr Palliser in the event of his marriage; all theLittlebury estate in Yorkshire, and the enormous Scotch property. Ofmy personal goods, and money invested in loans, shares, and funds, you shall never touch a shilling, or the value of a shilling. And, ifI find that I can suit myself, it may be that I'll leave you plain MrPlantagenet Palliser, with a little first cousin for the head of yourfamily. 

The full amount of this threat Mr Palliser understood, and, as hethought of it, he acknowledged to himself that he had never felt forLady Dumbello anything like love. No conversation between them hadever been warmer than that of which the reader has seen a sample. Lady Dumbello had been nothing to him. But now, --now that the matterhad been put before him in this way, might it not become him, as agentleman, to fall in love with so very beautiful a woman, whose namehad already been linked with his own? We all know that story of thepriest, who, by his question in the confessional, taught the ostlerto grease the horses' teeth. "I never did yet, " said the ostler, "butI'll have a try at it. " In this case, the duke had acted the part ofthe priest, and Mr Palliser, before the night was over, had almostbecome as ready a pupil as the ostler. As to the threat, it would illbecome him, as a Palliser and a Plantagenet, to regard it. The dukewould not marry. Of all men in the world he was the least likely tospite his own face by cutting off his own nose; and, for the restof it, Mr Palliser would take his chance. Therefore he went down toHartlebury early in February, having fully determined to be veryparticular in his attentions to Lady Dumbello. 

Among a houseful of people at Hartlebury, he found Lord Porlock, aslight, sickly, worn-out looking man, who had something about his eyeof his father's hardness, but nothing in his mouth of his father'sferocity. 

"So your sister is going to be married?" said Mr Palliser. 

"Yes. One has no right to be surprised at anything they do, when oneremembers the life their father leads them. "

"I was going to congratulate you. "

"Don't do that. "

"I met him at Courcy, and rather liked him. "

Mr Palliser had barely spoken to Mr Crosbie at Courcy, but then inthe usual course of his social life he seldom did more than barelyspeak to anybody. 

"Did you?" said Lord Porlock. "For the poor girl's sake I hope he'snot a ruffian. How any man should propose to my father to marry adaughter out of his house, is more than I can understand. How was mymother looking?"

"I didn't see anything amiss about her. "

"I expect that he'll murder her some day. " Then that conversationcame to an end. 

Mr Palliser himself perceived--as he looked at her he could not butperceive--that a certain amount of social energy seemed to enlivenLady Dumbello when he approached her. She was given to smile whenaddressed, but her usual smile was meaningless, almost leaden, andnever in any degree flattering to the person to whom it was accorded. Very many women smile as they answer the words which are spoken tothem, and most who do so flatter by their smile. The thing is socommon that no one thinks of it. The flattering pleases, but meansnothing. The impression unconsciously taken simply conveys a feelingthat the woman has made herself agreeable, as it was her duty todo, --agreeable, as far as that smile went, in some very infinitesimaldegree. But she has thereby made her little contribution to society. She will make the same contribution a hundred times in the sameevening. No one knows that she has flattered anybody; she does notknow it herself; and the world calls her an agreeable woman. But LadyDumbello put no flattery into her customary smiles. They were cold, unmeaning, accompanied by no special glance of the eye, and seldomaddressed to the individual. They were given to the room at large;and the room at large, acknowledging her great pretensions, acceptedthem as sufficient. But when Mr Palliser came near to her she wouldturn herself slightly, ever so slightly, on her seat, and would allowher eyes to rest for a moment upon his face. Then when he remarkedthat it had been rather cold, she would smile actually upon him asshe acknowledged the truth of his observation. All this Mr Pallisertaught himself to observe, having been instructed by his foolishuncle in that lesson as to the greasing of the horses' teeth. 

But, nevertheless, during the first week of his stay at Hartlebury, he did not say a word to her more tender than his observation aboutthe weather. It is true that he was very busy. He had undertaken tospeak upon the address, and as Parliament was now about to be opened, and as his speech was to be based upon statistics, he was full offigures and papers. His correspondence was pressing, and the day wasseldom long enough for his purposes. He felt that the intimacy towhich he aspired was hindered by the laborious routine of his life;but nevertheless he would do something before he left Hartlebury, toshow the special nature of his regard. He would say something to her, that should open to her view the secret of--shall we say his heart?Such was his resolve, day after day. And yet day after day went by, and nothing was said. He fancied that Lord Dumbello was somewhat lessfriendly in his manner than he had been, that he put himself in theway and looked cross; but, as he declared to himself, he cared verylittle for Lord Dumbello's looks. 

"When do you go to town?" he said to her one evening. 

"Probably in April. We certainly shall not leave Hartlebury beforethat. "

"Ah, yes. You stay for the hunting. "

"Yes; Lord Dumbello always remains here through March. He may run upto town for a day or two. "

"How comfortable! I must be in London on Thursday, you know. "

"When Parliament meets, I suppose?"

"Exactly. It is such a bore; but one has to do it. "

"When a man makes a business of it, I suppose he must. "

"Oh, dear, yes; it's quite imperative. " Then Mr Palliser looked roundthe room, and thought he saw Lord Dumbello's eye fixed upon him. Itwas really very hard work. If the truth must be told, he did not knowhow to begin. What was he to say to her? How was he to commence aconversation that should end by being tender? She was very handsomecertainly, and for him she could look interesting; but for his verylife he did not know how to begin to say anything special to her. Aliaison with such a woman as Lady Dumbello, --platonic, innocent, butnevertheless very intimate, --would certainly lend a grace to hislife, which, under its present circumstances, was rather dry. Hewas told, --told by public rumour, which had reached him through hisuncle, --that the lady was willing. She certainly looked as though sheliked him; but how was he to begin? The art of startling the House ofCommons and frightening the British public by the voluminous accuracyof his statistics he had already learned; but what was he to say to apretty woman?

"You'll be sure to be in London in April?" This was on anotheroccasion. 

"Oh, yes; I think so. "

"In Carlton Gardens, I suppose. "

"Yes; Lord Dumbello has got a lease of the house now. "

"Has he, indeed? Ah, it's an excellent house. I hope I shall beallowed to call there sometimes. "

"Certainly, --only I know you must be so busy. "

"Not on Saturdays and Sundays. "

"I always receive on Sundays, " said Lady Dumbello. Mr Palliser feltthat there was nothing peculiarly gracious in this. A permission tocall when all her other acquaintances would be there, was not much;but still, perhaps, it was as much as he could expect to obtain onthat occasion. He looked up and saw that Lord Dumbello's eyes wereagain upon him, and that Lord Dumbello's brow was black. He beganto doubt whether a country house, where all the people were throwntogether, was the best place in the world for such manoeuvring. Lady Dumbello was very handsome, and he liked to look at her, buthe could not find any subject on which to interest her in thatdrawing-room at Hartlebury. Later in the evening he found himselfsaying something to her about the sugar duties, and then he knew thathe had better give it up. He had only one day more, and that wasrequired imperatively for his speech. The matter would go mucheasier in London, and he would postpone it till then. In the crowdedrooms of London private conversation would be much easier, and LordDumbello wouldn't stand over and look at him. Lady Dumbello hadtaken his remarks about the sugar very kindly, and had asked for adefinition of an ad valorem duty. It was a nearer approach to a realconversation than he had ever before made; but the subject had beenunlucky, and could not, in his hands, be brought round to anythingtender; so he resolved to postpone his gallantry till the Londonspring should make it easy, and felt as he did so that he wasrelieved for the time from a heavy weight. 

"Good-bye, Lady Dumbello, " he said, on the next evening. "I startearly to-morrow morning. "

"Good-bye, Mr Palliser. "

As she spoke she smiled ever so sweetly, but she certainly had notlearned to call him Plantagenet as yet. He went up to London andimmediately got himself to work. The accurate and voluminous speechcame off with considerable credit to himself, --credit of thatquiet, enduring kind which is accorded to such men. The speech wasrespectable, dull, and correct. Men listened to it, or sat with theirhats over their eyes, asleep, pretending to do so; and the daily_Jupiter_ in the morning had a leading article about it, which, however, left the reader at its close altogether in doubt whether MrPalliser might be supposed to be a great financial pundit or no. MrPalliser might become a shining light to the moneyed world, and aglory to the banking interests; he might be a future Chancellor ofthe Exchequer. But then again, it might turn out that, in theseaffairs, he was a mere _ignis fatuus_, a blind guide, --a man to belaid aside as very respectable, but of no depth. Who, then, at thepresent time, could judiciously risk his credit by declaring whetherMr Palliser understood his subject or did not understand it? We arenot content in looking to our newspapers for all the information thatearth and human intellect can afford; but we demand from them whatwe might demand if a daily sheet could come to us from the world ofspirits. The result, of course, is this, --that the papers do pretendthat they have come daily from the world of spirits; but the oraclesare very doubtful, as were those of old. 

Plantagenet Palliser, though he was contented with this article, felt, as he sat in his chambers in the Albany, that something elsewas wanting to his happiness. This sort of life was all very well. Ambition was a grand thing, and it became him, as a Palliser and afuture peer, to make politics his profession. But might he not sparean hour or two for Amaryllis in the shade? Was it not hard, this lifeof his? Since he had been told that Lady Dumbello smiled upon him, hehad certainly thought more about her smiles than had been good forhis statistics. It seemed as though a new vein in his body had beenbrought into use, and that blood was running where blood had neverrun before. If he had seen Lady Dumbello before Dumbello had seenher, might he not have married her? Ah! in such case as that, had shebeen simply Miss Grantly, or Lady Griselda Grantly, as the case mighthave been, he thought he might have been able to speak to her withmore ease. As it was, he certainly had found the task difficult, downin the country, though he had heard of men of his class doing thesame sort of thing all his life. For my own part, I believe that thereputed sinners are much more numerous than the sinners. 

As he sat there, a certain Mr Fothergill came in upon him. MrFothergill was a gentleman who managed most of his uncle's ordinaryaffairs, --a clever fellow, who knew on which side his bread wasbuttered. Mr Fothergill was naturally anxious to stand well with theheir; but to stand well with the owner was his business in life, andwith that business he never allowed anything to interfere. On thisoccasion Mr Fothergill was very civil, complimenting his futurepossible patron on his very powerful speech, and predicting for himpolitical power with much more certainty than the newspapers whichhad, or had not, come from the world of spirits. Mr Fothergill hadcome in to say a word or two about some matter of business. As allMr Palliser's money passed through Mr Fothergill's hands, and as hiselectioneering interests were managed by Mr Fothergill, Mr Fothergillnot infrequently called to say a necessary word or two. When this wasdone he said another word or two, which might be necessary or not, asthe case might be. 

"Mr Palliser, " said he, "I wonder you don't think of marrying. I hopeyou'll excuse me. "

Mr Palliser was by no means sure that he would excuse him, and sathimself suddenly upright in his chair in a manner that was intendedto exhibit a first symptom of outraged dignity. But, singularlyenough, he had himself been thinking of marriage at that moment. How would it have been with him had he known the beautiful Griseldabefore the Dumbello alliance had been arranged? Would he have marriedher? Would he have been comfortable if he had married her? Ofcourse he could not marry now, seeing that he was in love with LadyDumbello, and that the lady in question, unfortunately, had a husbandof her own; but though he had been thinking of marrying, he did notlike to have the subject thus roughly thrust before his eyes, and, as it were, into his very lap by his uncle's agent. Mr Fothergill, no doubt, saw the first symptom of outraged dignity, for he was aclever, sharp man. But, perhaps, he did not in truth much regard it. Perhaps he had received instructions which he was bound to regardabove all other matters. 

"I hope you'll excuse me, Mr Palliser, I do, indeed; but I say itbecause I am half afraid of some--some--some diminution of goodfeeling, perhaps, I had better call it, between you and your uncle. Anything of that kind would be such a monstrous pity. "

"I am not aware of any such probability. "

This Mr Palliser said with considerable dignity; but when the wordswere spoken he bethought himself whether he had not told a fib. 

"No; perhaps not. I trust there is no such probability. But the dukeis a very determined man if he takes anything into his head;--andthen he has so much in his power. "

"He has not me in his power, Mr Fothergill. "

"No, no, no. One man does not have another in his power in thiscountry, --not in that way; but then you know, Mr Palliser, it wouldhardly do to offend him; would it?"

"I would rather not offend him, as is natural. Indeed, I do not wishto offend any one. "

"Exactly so; and least of all the duke, who has the whole property inhis own hands. We may say the whole, for he can marry to-morrow if hepleases. And then his life is so good. I don't know a stouter man ofhis age, anywhere. "

"I'm very glad to hear it. "

"I'm sure you are, Mr Palliser. But if he were to take offence, youknow?"

"I should put up with it. "

"Yes, exactly; that's what you would do. But it would be worth whileto avoid it, seeing how much he has in his power. "

"Has the duke sent you to me now, Mr Fothergill?"

"No, no, no, --nothing of the sort. But he dropped words the other daywhich made me fancy that he was not quite--quite--quite at ease aboutyou. I have long known that he would be very glad indeed to see anheir born to the property. The other morning, --I don't know whetherthere was anything in it, --but I fancied he was going to make somechange in the present arrangements. He did not do it, and it mighthave been fancy. Only think, Mr Palliser, what one word of his mightdo! If he says a word, he never goes back from it. " Then, having saidso much, Mr Fothergill went his way. 

Mr Palliser understood the meaning of all this very well. Itwas not the first occasion on which Mr Fothergill had given himadvice, --advice such as Mr Fothergill himself had no right to givehim. He always received such counsel with an air of half-injureddignity, intending thereby to explain to Mr Fothergill that he wasintruding. But he knew well whence the advice came; and though, inall such cases, he had made up his mind not to follow such counsel, it had generally come to pass that Mr Palliser's conduct had more orless accurately conformed itself to Mr Fothergill's advice. A wordfrom the duke might certainly do a great deal! Mr Palliser resolvedthat in that affair of Lady Dumbello he would follow his own devices. But, nevertheless, it was undoubtedly true that a word from the dukemight do a great deal!

We, who are in the secret, know how far Mr Palliser had alreadyprogressed in his iniquitous passion before he left Hartlebury. Others, who were perhaps not so well informed, gave him credit fora much more advanced success. Lady Clandidlem, in her letter toLady de Courcy, written immediately after the departure of MrPalliser, declared that, having heard of that gentleman's intendedmatutinal departure, she had confidently expected to learn at thebreakfast-table that Lady Dumbello had flown with him. From the toneof her ladyship's language, it seemed as though she had been robbedof an anticipated pleasure by Lady Dumbello's prolonged sojournin the halls of her husband's ancestors. "I feel, however, quiteconvinced, " said Lady Clandidlem, "that it cannot go on longer thanthe spring. I never yet saw a man so infatuated as Mr Palliser. Hedid not leave her for one moment all the time he was here. No onebut Lady Hartletop would have permitted it. But, you know, there isnothing so pleasant as good old family friendships. "

CHAPTER XLIV

Valentine's Day at Allington

Lily had exacted a promise from her mother before her illness, and during the period of her convalescence often referred to it, reminding her mother that that promise had been made, and must bekept. Lily was to be told the day on which Crosbie was to be married. It had come to the knowledge of them all that the marriage was totake place in February. But this was not sufficient for Lily. Shemust know the day. 

And as the time drew nearer, --Lily becoming stronger the while, and less subject to medical authority, --the marriage of Crosbie andAlexandrina was spoken of much more frequently at the Small House. It was not a subject which Mrs Dale or Bell would have chosen forconversation; but Lily would refer to it. She would begin by doing soalmost in a drolling strain, alluding to herself as a forlorn damselin a play-book; and then she would go on to speak of his interests asa matter which was still of great moment to her. But in the course ofsuch talking she would too often break down, showing by some sad wordor melancholy tone how great was the burden on her heart. Mrs Daleand Bell would willingly have avoided the subject, but Lily would nothave it avoided. For them it was a very difficult matter on whichto speak in her hearing. It was not permitted to them to say a wordof abuse against Crosbie, as to whom they thought that no word ofcondemnation could be sufficiently severe; and they were forced tolisten to such excuses for his conduct as Lily chose to manufacture, never daring to point out how vain those excuses were. 

Indeed, in those days Lily reigned as a queen at the Small House. Ill-usage and illness together falling into her hands had given hersuch power, that none of the other women were able to withstand it. Nothing was said about it; but it was understood by them all, Janeand the cook included, that Lily was for the time paramount. She wasa dear, gracious, loving, brave queen, and no one was anxious torebel;--only that those praises of Crosbie were so very bitter in theears of her subjects. The day was named soon enough, and the tidingscame down to Allington. On the fourteenth of February, Crosbie wasto be made a happy man. This was not known to the Dales till thetwelfth, and they would willingly have spared the knowledge then, hadit been possible to spare it. But it was not so, and on that eveningLily was told. 

During these days, Bell used to see her uncle daily. Her visits weremade with the pretence of taking to him information as to Lily'shealth; but there was perhaps at the bottom of them a feeling that, as the family intended to leave the Small House at the end of March, it would be well to let the squire know that there was no enmity intheir hearts against him. Nothing more had been said about theirmoving, --nothing, that is, from them to him. But the matter was goingon, and he knew it. Dr Crofts was already in treaty on their behalffor a small furnished house at Guestwick. The squire was very sadabout it, --very sad indeed. When Hopkins spoke to him on the subject, he sharply desired that faithful gardener to hold his tongue, givingit to be understood that such things were not to be made matterof talk by the Allington dependants till they had been officiallyannounced. With Bell during these visits he never alluded to thematter. She was the chief sinner, in that she had refused to marryher cousin, and had declined even to listen to rational counsel uponthe matter. But the squire felt that he could not discuss the subjectwith her, seeing that he had been specially informed by Mrs Dale thathis interference would not be permitted; and then he was perhapsaware that if he did discuss the subject with Bell, he would not gainmuch by such discussion. Their conversation, therefore, generallyfell upon Crosbie, and the tone in which he was mentioned in theGreat House was very different from that assumed in Lily's presence. 

"He'll be a wretched man, " said the squire, when he told Bell of theday that had been fixed. 

"I don't want him to be wretched, " said Bell. "But I can hardly thinkthat he can act as he has done without being punished. "

"He will be a wretched man. He gets no fortune with her, and she willexpect everything that fortune can give. I believe, too, that sheis older than he is. I cannot understand it. Upon my word, I cannotunderstand how a man can be such a knave and such a fool. Give mylove to Lily. I'll see her to-morrow or the next day. She's well ridof him; I'm sure of that;--though I suppose it would not do to tellher so. "

The morning of the fourteenth came upon them at the Small House, as comes the morning of those special days which have been longconsidered, and which are to be long remembered. It brought with it ahard, bitter frost, --a black, biting frost, --such a frost as breaksthe water-pipes, and binds the ground to the hardness of granite. Lily, queen as she was, had not yet been allowed to go back to herown chamber, but occupied the larger bed in her mother's room, hermother sleeping on a smaller one. 

"Mamma, " she said, "how cold they'll be!" Her mother had announced toher the fact of the black frost, and these were the first words shespoke. 

"I fear their hearts will be cold also, " said Mrs Dale. She ought notto have said so. She was transgressing the acknowledged rule of thehouse in saying any word that could be construed as being inimical toCrosbie or his bride. But her feeling on the matter was too strong, and she could not restrain herself. 

"Why should their hearts be cold? Oh, mamma, that is a terrible thingto say. Why should their hearts be cold?"

"I hope it may not be so. "

"Of course you do; of course we all hope it. He was not cold-hearted, at any rate. A man is not cold-hearted, because he does not knowhimself. Mamma, I want you to wish for their happiness. "

Mrs Dale was silent for a minute or two before she answered this, butthen she did answer it. "I think I do, " said she. "I think I do wishfor it. "

"I am very sure that I do, " said Lily. 

At this time Lily had her breakfast upstairs, but went down into thedrawing-room in the course of the morning. 

"You must be very careful in wrapping yourself as you go downstairs, "said Bell, who stood by the tray on which she had brought up thetoast and tea. "The cold is what you would call awful. "

"I should call it jolly, " said Lily, "if I could get up and go out. Do you remember lecturing me about talking slang the day that hefirst came?"

"Did I, my pet?"

"Don't you remember, when I called him a swell? Ah, dear! so he was. That was the mistake, and it was all my own fault, as I had seen itfrom the first. "

Bell for a moment turned her face away, and beat with her footagainst the ground. Her anger was more difficult of restraint thanwas even her mother's, --and now, not restraining it, but wishing tohide it, she gave it vent in this way. 

"I understand, Bell. I know what your foot means when it goes in thatway; and you shan't do it. Come here, Bell, and let me teach youChristianity. I'm a fine sort of teacher, am I not? And I did notquite mean that. "

"I wish I could learn it from some one, " said Bell. "There arecircumstances in which what we call Christianity seems to me to behardly possible. "

"When your foot goes in that way it is a very unchristian foot, andyou ought to keep it still. It means anger against him, because hediscovered before it was too late that he would not be happy, --thatis, that he and I would not be happy together if we were married. "

"Don't scrutinise my foot too closely, Lily. "

"But your foot must bear scrutiny, and your eyes, and your voice. Hewas very foolish to fall in love with me. And so was I very foolishto let him love me, at a moment's notice, --without a thought as itwere. I was so proud of having him, that I gave myself up to him allat once, without giving him a chance of thinking of it. In a week ortwo it was done. Who could expect that such an engagement should belasting?"

"And why not? That is nonsense, Lily. But we will not talk about it. "

"Ah, but I want to talk about it. It was as I have said, and if so, you shouldn't hate him because he did the only thing which hehonestly could do when he found out his mistake. "

"What; become engaged again within a week!"

"There had been a very old friendship, Bell; you must remember that. But I was speaking of his conduct to me, and not of his conduct to--"And then she remembered that that other lady might at this verymoment possess the name which she had once been so proud to thinkthat she would bear herself. "Bell, " she said, stopping her otherspeech suddenly, "at what o'clock do people get married in London?"

"Oh, at all manner of hours, --any time before twelve. They will befashionable, and will be married late. "

"You don't think she's Mrs Crosbie yet, then?"

"Lady Alexandrina Crosbie, " said Bell, shuddering. 

"Yes, of course; I forgot. I should so like to see her. I feel suchan interest about her. I wonder what coloured hair she has. I supposeshe is a sort of Juno of a woman, --very tall and handsome. I'm sureshe has not got a pug-nose like me. Do you know what I should reallylike, only of course it's not possible;--to be godmother to his firstchild. "

"Oh, Lily!"

"I should. Don't you hear me say that I know it's not possible? I'mnot going up to London to ask her. She'll have all manner of grandeesfor her godfathers and godmothers. I wonder what those grand peopleare really like. "

"I don't think there's any difference. Look at Lady Julia. "

"Oh, she's not a grand person. It isn't merely having a title. Don'tyou remember that he told us that Mr Palliser is about the grandestgrandee of them all. I suppose people do learn to like them. Healways used to say that he had been so long among people of thatsort, that it would be very difficult for him to divide himself offfrom them. I should never have done for that kind of thing; shouldI?"

"There is nothing I despise so much as what you call that kind ofthing. "

"Do you? I don't. After all, think how much work they do. He used totell me of that. They have all the governing in their hands, and getvery little money for doing it. "

"Worse luck for the country. "

"The country seems to do pretty well. But you're a radical, Bell. Mybelief is, you wouldn't be a lady if you could help it. "

"I'd sooner be an honest woman. "

"And so you are, --my own dear, dearest, honest Bell, --and the fairestlady that I know. If I were a man, Bell, you are just the girl that Ishould worship. "

"But you are not a man; so it's no good. "

"But you mustn't let your foot go astray in that way; you mustn't, indeed. Somebody said, that whatever is, is right, and I declare Ibelieve it. "

"I'm sometimes inclined to think, that whatever is, is wrong. "

"That's because you're a radical. I think I'll get up now, Bell; onlyit's so frightfully cold that I'm afraid. "

"There's a beautiful fire, " said Bell. 

"Yes; I see. But the fire won't go all around me, like the bed does. I wish I could know the very moment when they're at the altar. It'sonly half-past ten yet. "

"I shouldn't be at all surprised if it's over. "

"Over! What a word that is! A thing like that is over, and then allthe world cannot put it back again. What if he should be unhappyafter all?"

"He must take his chance, " said Bell, thinking within her own mindthat that chance would be a very bad one. 

"Of course he must take his chance. Well, --I'll get up now. " And thenshe took her first step out into the cold world beyond her bed. "Wemust all take our chance. I have made up my mind that it will be athalf-past eleven. "

When half-past eleven came, she was seated in a large easy chair overthe drawing-room fire, with a little table by her side, on which anovel was lying. She had not opened her book that morning, and hadbeen sitting for some time perfectly silent, with her eyes closed, and her watch in her hand. 

"Mamma, " she said at last, "it is over now, I'm sure. "

"What is over, my dear?"

"He has made that lady his wife. I hope God will bless them, and Ipray that they may be happy. " As she spoke these words, there was anunwonted solemnity in her tone which startled Mrs Dale and Bell. 

"I also will hope so, " said Mrs Dale. "And now, Lily, will it not bewell that you should turn your mind away from the subject, andendeavour to think of other things?"

"But I can't, mamma. It is so easy to say that; but people can'tchoose their own thoughts. "

"They can usually direct them as they will, if they make the effort. "

"But I can't make the effort. Indeed, I don't know why I should. Itseems natural to me to think about him, and I don't suppose it can bevery wrong. When you have had so deep an interest in a person, youcan't drop him all of a sudden. " Then there was again silence, andafter a while Lily took up her novel. She made that effort of whichher mother had spoken, but she made it altogether in vain. "Ideclare, Bell, " she said, "it's the greatest rubbish I ever attemptedto read. " This was specially ungrateful, because Bell had recommendedthe book. "All the books have got to be so stupid! I think I'll read_Pilgrim's Progress_ again. "

"What do you say to _Robinson Crusoe_?" said Bell. 

"Or _Paul and Virginia_?" said Lily. "But I believe I'll have_Pilgrim's Progress_. I never can understand it, but I rather thinkthat makes it nicer. "

"I hate books I can't understand, " said Bell. "I like a book to beclear as running water, so that the whole meaning may be seen atonce. "

"The quick seeing of the meaning must depend a little on the reader, must it not?" said Mrs Dale. 

"The reader mustn't be a fool, of course, " said Bell. 

"But then so many readers are fools, " said Lily. "And yet they getsomething out of their reading. Mrs Crump is always poring over theRevelations, and nearly knows them by heart. I don't think she couldinterpret a single image, but she has a hazy, misty idea of thetruth. That's why she likes it, --because it's too beautiful to beunderstood; and that's why I like _Pilgrim's Progress_. " After whichBell offered to get the book in question. 

"No, not now, " said Lily. "I'll go on with this, as you say it's sogrand. The personages are always in their tantrums, and go on asthough they were mad. Mamma, do you know where they're going for thehoneymoon?"

"No, my dear. "

"He used to talk to me about going to the lakes. " And then there wasanother pause, during which Bell observed that her mother's facebecame clouded with anxiety. "But I won't think of it any more, "continued Lily; "I will fix my mind to something. " And then she gotup from her chair. "I don't think it would have been so difficult ifI had not been ill. "

"Of course it would not, my darling. "

"And I'm going to be well again now, immediately. Let me see: I wastold to read Carlyle's _History of the French Revolution_, and Ithink I'll begin now. " It was Crosbie who had told her to read thebook, as both Bell and Mrs Dale were well aware. "But I must put itoff till I can get it down from the other house. "

"Jane shall fetch it, if you really want it, " said Mrs Dale. 

"Bell shall get it, when she goes up in the afternoon; will you, Bell? And I'll try to get on with this stuff in the meantime. " Thenagain she sat with her eyes fixed upon the pages of the book. "I'lltell you what, mamma, --you may have some comfort in this: that whento-day's gone by, I shan't make a fuss about any other day. "

"Nobody thinks that you are making a fuss, Lily. "

"Yes, but I am. Isn't it odd, Bell, that it should take place onValentine's day? I wonder whether it was so settled on purpose, because of the day. Oh, dear, I used to think so often of the letterthat I should get from him on this day, when he would tell me that Iwas his valentine. Well; he's got another--valen--tine--now. " So muchshe said with articulate voice, and then she broke down, bursting outinto convulsive sobs, and crying in her mother's arms as though shewould break her heart. And yet her heart was not broken, and shewas still strong in that resolve which she had made, that her griefshould not overpower her. As she had herself said, the thing wouldnot have been so difficult, had she not been weakened by illness. 

"Lily, my darling; my poor, ill-used darling. "

"No, mamma, I won't be that. " And she struggled grievously to get thebetter of the hysterical attack which had overpowered her. "I won'tbe regarded as ill-used; not as specially ill-used. But I am yourdarling, your own darling. Only I wish you'd beat me and thump mewhen I'm such a fool, instead of pitying me. It's a great mistakebeing soft to people when they make fools of themselves. There, Bell;there's your stupid book, and I won't have any more of it. I believeit was that that did it. " And she pushed the book away from her. 

After this little scene she said no further word about Crosbie andhis bride on that day, but turned the conversation towards theprospect of their new house at Guestwick. 

"It will be a great comfort to be nearer Dr Crofts; won't it, Bell?"

"I don't know, " said Bell. 

"Because if we are ill, he won't have such a terrible distance tocome. "

"That will be a comfort for him, I should think, " said Bell, verydemurely. 

In the evening the first volume of the _French Revolution_ had beenprocured, and Lily stuck to her reading with laudable perseverance;till at eight her mother insisted on her going to bed, queen as shewas. 

"I don't believe a bit, you know, that the king was such a bad man asthat, " she said. 

"I do, " said Bell. 

"Ah, that's because you're a radical. I never will believe that kingsare so much worse than other people. As for Charles the First, he wasabout the best man in history. "

This was an old subject of dispute; but Lily on the present occasionwas allowed her own way, --as being an invalid. 

CHAPTER XLV

Valentine's Day in London

The fourteenth of February in London was quite as black, and cold, and as wintersome as it was at Allington, and was, perhaps, somewhatmore melancholy in its coldness. Nevertheless Lady Alexandrina deCourcy looked as bright as bridal finery could make her, when shegot out of her carriage and walked into St. James's church at eleveno'clock on that morning. 

It had been finally arranged that the marriage should take place inLondon. There were certainly many reasons which would have made amarriage from Courcy Castle more convenient. The de Courcy familywere all assembled at their country family residence, and couldtherefore have been present at the ceremony without cost or trouble. The castle too was warm with the warmth of life, and the pleasantnessof home would have lent a grace to the departure of one of thedaughters of the house. The retainers and servants were there, andsomething of the rich mellowness of a noble alliance might have beenfelt, at any rate by Crosbie, at a marriage so celebrated. And itmust have been acknowledged, even by Lady de Courcy, that the housein Portman Square was very cold--that a marriage from thence wouldbe cold, --that there could be no hope of attaching to it any honourand glory, or of making it resound with fashionable _éclat_ in thecolumns of the _Morning Post_. But then, had they been married inthe country, the earl would have been there; whereas there was noprobability of his travelling up to London for the purpose of beingpresent on such an occasion. 

The earl was very terrible in these days, and Alexandrina, as shebecame confidential in her communications with her future husband, spoke of him as of an ogre, who could not by any means be avoidedin all the concerns of life, but whom one might shun now andagain by some subtle device and careful arrangement of favourablecircumstances. Crosbie had more than once taken upon himself to hintthat he did not specially regard the ogre, seeing that for the futurehe could keep himself altogether apart from the malicious monster'sdominions. 

"He will not come to me in our new home, " he had said to his love, with some little touch of affection. But to this view of the caseLady Alexandrina had demurred. The ogre in question was not only herparent, but was also a noble peer, and she could not agree to anyarrangement by which their future connection with the earl, and withnobility in general, might be endangered. Her parent, doubtless, wasan ogre, and in his ogreship could make himself very terrible tothose near him; but then might it not be better for them to be nearto an earl who was an ogre, than not to be near to any earl at all?She had therefore signified to Crosbie that the ogre must be endured. 

But, nevertheless, it was a great thing to be rid of him on thathappy occasion. He would have said very dreadful things, --things sodreadful that there might have been a question whether the bridegroomcould have borne them. Since he had heard of Crosbie's accident atthe railway station, he had constantly talked with fiendish glee ofthe beating which had been administered to his son-in-law. Lady deCourcy in taking Crosbie's part, and maintaining that the match wasfitting for her daughter, had ventured to declare before her husbandthat Crosbie was a man of fashion, and the earl would now ask, with aloathsome grin, whether the bridegroom's fashion had been improved byhis little adventure at Paddington. Crosbie, to whom all this was notrepeated, would have preferred a wedding in the country. But thecountess and Lady Alexandrina knew better. 

The earl had strictly interdicted any expenditure, and the countesshad of necessity construed this as forbidding any unnecessaryexpense. "To marry a girl without any immediate cost was a thingwhich nobody could understand, " as the countess remarked to hereldest daughter. 

"I would really spend as little as possible, " Lady Amelia hadanswered. "You see, mamma, there are circumstances about it which onedoesn't wish to have talked about just at present. There's the storyof that girl, --and then that fracas at the station. I really thinkit ought to be as quiet as possible. " The good sense of Lady Ameliawas not to be disputed, as her mother acknowledged. But then ifthe marriage were managed in any notoriously quiet way, the verynotoriety of that quiet would be as dangerous as an attempt at loudglory. "But it won't cost as much, " said Amelia. And thus it had beenresolved that the wedding should be very quiet. 

To this Crosbie had assented very willingly, though he had notrelished the manner in which the countess had explained to him herviews. 

"I need not tell you, Adolphus, " she had said, "how thoroughlysatisfied I am with this marriage. My dear girl feels that she can behappy as your wife, and what more can I want? I declared to her andto Amelia that I was not ambitious, for their sakes, and have allowedthem both to please themselves. "

"I hope they have pleased themselves, " said Crosbie. 

"I trust so; but nevertheless, --I don't know whether I make myselfunderstood?"

"Quite so, Lady de Courcy. If Alexandrina were going to marry theeldest son of a marquis, you would have a longer procession to churchthan will be necessary when she marries me. "

"You put it in such an odd way, Adolphus. "

"It's all right so long as we understand each other. I can assure youI don't want any procession at all. I should be quite contented to godown with Alexandrina, arm in arm, like Darby and Joan, and let theclerk give her away. "

We may say that he would have been much better contented could hehave been allowed to go down the street without any encumbrance onhis arm. But there was no possibility now for such deliverance asthat. 

Both Lady Amelia and Mr Gazebee had long since discovered thebitterness of his heart and the fact of his repentance, and Gazebeehad ventured to suggest to his wife that his noble sister-in-law waspreparing for herself a life of misery. 

"He'll become quiet and happy when he's used to it, " Lady Amelia hadreplied, thinking, perhaps, of her own experiences. 

"I don't know, my dear; he's not a quiet man. There's something inhis eye which tells me that he could be very hard to a woman. "

"It has gone too far now for any change, " Lady Amelia had answered. 

"Well; perhaps it has. "

"And I know my sister so well; she would not hear of it. I reallythink they will do very well when they become used to each other. "

Mr Gazebee, who also had had his own experiences, hardly dared tohope so much. His home had been satisfactory to him, because he hadbeen a calculating man, and having made his calculation correctlywas willing to take the net result. He had done so all his life withsuccess. In his house his wife was paramount, --as he very well knew. But no effort on his wife's part, had she wished to make such effort, could have forced him to spend more than two-thirds of his income. Of this she also was aware, and had trimmed her sails accordingly, likening herself to him in this respect. But of such wisdom, and suchtrimmings, and such adaptability, what likelihood was there with MrCrosbie and Lady Alexandrina?

"At any rate, it is too late now, " said Lady Amelia, thus concludingthe conversation. 

But nevertheless, when the last moment came, there was some littleattempt at glory. Who does not know the way in which a latelymarried couple's little dinner-party stretches itself out from thepure simplicity of a fried sole and a leg of mutton to the attemptat clear soup, the unfortunately cold dish of round balls whichis handed about after the sole, and the brightly red jelly, andbeautifully pink cream, which are ordered, in the last agony ofambition, from the next pastry-cook's shop?

"We cannot give a dinner, my dear, with only cook and Sarah. "

It has thus begun, and the husband has declared that he has no suchidea. "If Phipps and Dowdney can come here and eat a bit of mutton, they are very welcome; if not, let them stay away. And you might aswell ask Phipps's sister; just to have some one to go with you intothe drawing-room. "

"I'd much rather go alone, because then I can read, "--or sleep, wemay say. 

But her husband has explained that she would look friendless in thissolitary state, and therefore Phipps's sister has been asked. Thenthe dinner has progressed down to those costly jellies which havebeen ordered in a last agony. There has been a conviction on theminds of both of them that the simple leg of mutton would have beenmore jolly for them all. Had those round balls not been carried aboutby a hired man; had simple mutton with hot potatoes been handed toMiss Phipps by Sarah, Miss Phipps would not have simpered with suchunmeaning stiffness when young Dowdney spoke to her. They would havebeen much more jolly. "Have a bit more mutton, Phipps; and where doyou like it?" How pleasant it sounds! But we all know that it isimpossible. My young friend had intended this, but his dinner hadrun itself away to cold round balls and coloured forms from thepastry-cook. And so it was with the Crosbie marriage. 

The bride must leave the church in a properly appointed carriage, andthe postboys must have wedding favours. So the thing grew; not intonoble proportions, not into proportions of true glory, justifyingthe attempt and making good the gala. A well-cooked rissole, broughtpleasantly to you, is good eating. A gala marriage, when everythingis in keeping, is excellent sport. Heaven forbid that we shouldhave no gala marriages. But the small spasmodic attempt, made inopposition to manifest propriety, made with an inner conviction offailure, --that surely should be avoided in marriages, in dinners, andin all affairs of life. 

There were bridesmaids and there was a breakfast. Both Margaretta andRosina came up to London for the occasion, as did also a first cousinof theirs, one Miss Gresham, a lady whose father lived in the samecounty. Mr Gresham had married a sister of Lord de Courcy's, and hisservices were also called into requisition. He was brought up to giveaway the bride, because the earl, --as the paragraph in the newspaperdeclared, --was confined at Courcy Castle by his old hereditary enemy, the gout. A fourth bridesmaid also was procured, and thus there wasa bevy, though not so large a bevy as is now generally thought to bedesirable. There were only three or four carriages at the church, buteven three or four were something. The weather was so frightfullycold that the light-coloured silks of the ladies carried with thema show of discomfort. Girls should be very young to look nice inlight dresses on a frosty morning, and the bridesmaids at LadyAlexandrina's wedding were not very young. Lady Rosina's nose wasdecidedly red. Lady Margaretta was very wintry, and apparently verycross. Miss Gresham was dull, tame, and insipid; and the HonourableMiss O'Flaherty, who filled the fourth place, was sulky at findingthat she had been invited to take a share in so very lame aperformance. 

But the marriage was made good, and Crosbie bore up against hismisfortunes like a man. Montgomerie Dobbs and Fowler Pratt both stoodby him, giving him, let us hope, some assurance that he was notabsolutely deserted by all the world, --that he had not given himselfup, bound hand and foot, to the de Courcys, to be dealt with in allmatters as they might please. It was that feeling which had been sogrievous to him, --and that other feeling, cognate to it, that if heshould ultimately succeed in rebelling against the de Courcys, hewould find himself a solitary man. 

"Yes; I shall go, " Fowler Pratt had said to Montgomerie Dobbs. "I always stick to a fellow if I can. Crosbie has behaved like ablackguard, and like a fool also; and he knows that I think so. But Idon't see why I should drop him on that account. I shall go as he hasasked me. "

"So shall I, " said Montgomerie Dobbs, who considered that he would besafe in doing whatever Fowler Pratt did, and who remarked to himselfthat after all Crosbie was marrying the daughter of an earl. 

Then, after the marriage, came the breakfast, at which the countesspresided with much noble magnificence. She had not gone to church, thinking, no doubt, that she would be better able to maintain hergood humour at the feast, if she did not subject herself to thechance of lumbago in the church. At the foot of the table sat MrGresham, her brother-in-law, who had undertaken to give the necessarytoast and make the necessary speech. The Honourable John was there, saying all manner of ill-natured things about his sister and newbrother-in-law, because he had been excluded from his proper positionat the foot of the table. But Alexandrina had declared that she wouldnot have the matter entrusted to her brother. The Honourable Georgewould not come, because the countess had not asked his wife. 

"Maria may be slow, and all that sort of thing, " George had said;"but she is my wife. And she had got what they haven't. Love me, lovemy dog, you know. " So he had stayed down at Courcy, --very properly asI think. 

Alexandrina had wished to go away before breakfast, and Crosbie wouldnot have cared how early an escape had been provided for him; butthe countess had told her daughter that if she would not wait forthe breakfast, there should be no breakfast at all, and in fact nowedding; nothing but a simple marriage. Had there been a grand party, that going away of the bride and bridegroom might be very well; butthe countess felt that on such an occasion as this nothing but thepresence of the body of the sacrifice could give any reality to thefestivity. So Crosbie and Lady Alexandrina Crosbie heard Mr Gresham'sspeech, in which he prophesied for the young couple an amount ofhappiness and prosperity almost greater than is compatible withthe circumstances of humanity. His young friend Crosbie, whoseacquaintance he had been delighted to make, was well known as oneof the rising pillars of the State. Whether his future career mightbe parliamentary, or devoted to the permanent Civil Service of thecountry, it would be alike great, noble, and prosperous. As to hisdear niece, who was now filling that position in life which was mostbeautiful and glorious for a young woman, --she could not have donebetter. She had preferred genius to wealth, --so said Mr Gresham, --andshe would find her fitting reward. As to her finding her fittingreward, whatever her preferences may have been, there Mr Gresham wasno doubt quite right. On that head I myself have no doubt whatever. After that Crosbie returned thanks, making a much better speech thannine men do out of ten on such occasions, and then the thing wasover. No other speaking was allowed, and within half an hour fromthat time, he and his bride were in the post-chaise, being carriedaway to the Folkestone railway station; for that place had beenchosen as the scene of their honeymoon. It had been at one timeintended that the journey to Folkestone should be made simply as thefirst stage to Paris, but Paris and all foreign travelling had beengiven up by degrees. 

"I don't care a bit about France;--we have been there so often, "Alexandrina said. 

She had wished to be taken to Naples, but Crosbie had made herunderstand at the first whispering of the word, that Naples was quiteout of the question. He must look now in all things to money. Fromthe very first outset of his career he must save a shilling wherevera shilling could be saved. To this view of life no opposition wasmade by the de Courcy interest. Lady Amelia had explained to hersister that they ought so to do their honeymooning that it should notcost more than if they began keeping house at once. Certain thingsmust be done which, no doubt, were costly in their nature. The bridemust take with her a well-dressed lady's-maid. The rooms at theFolkestone hotel must be large, and on the first floor. A carriagemust be hired for her use while she remained; but every shilling mustbe saved the spending of which would not make itself apparent to theouter world. Oh, deliver us from the poverty of those who, with smallmeans, affect a show of wealth! There is no whitening equal to thatof sepulchres whited as they are whited!

By the proper administration of a slight bribe Crosbie securedfor himself and his wife a compartment in the railway carriage tothemselves. And as he seated himself opposite to Alexandrina, havingproperly tucked her up with all her bright-coloured trappings, heremembered that he had never in truth been alone with her before. He had danced with her frequently, and been left with her for a fewminutes between the figures. He had flirted with her in crowdeddrawing-rooms, and had once found a moment at Courcy Castle to tellher that he was willing to marry her in spite of his engagement withLilian Dale. But he had never walked with her for hours together ashe had walked with Lily. He had never talked to her about government, and politics, and books, nor had she talked to him of poetry, ofreligion, and of the little duties and comforts of life. He had knownthe Lady Alexandrina for the last six or seven years; but he hadnever known her, --perhaps never would know her, --as he had learned toknow Lily Dale within the space of two months. 

And now that she was his wife, what was he to say to her? Theytwo had commenced a partnership which was to make of them for theremaining term of their lives one body and one flesh. They were tobe all-in-all to each other. But how was he to begin this all-in-allpartnership? Had the priest, with his blessing, done it sosufficiently that no other doing on Crosbie's own part was necessary?There she was, opposite to him, his very actual wife, --bone of hisbone; and what was he to say to her? As he settled himself on hisseat, taking over his own knees a part of a fine fur rug trimmed withscarlet, with which he had covered her other mufflings, he bethoughthimself how much easier it would have been to talk to Lily. And Lilywould have been ready with all her ears, and all her mind, and allher wit, to enter quickly upon whatever thoughts had occurred to him. In that respect Lily would have been a wife indeed, --a wife thatwould have transferred herself with quick mental activity into herhusband's mental sphere. Had he begun about his office Lily wouldhave been ready for him, but Alexandrina had never yet asked him asingle question about his official life. Had he been prepared with aplan for to-morrow's happiness Lily would have taken it up eagerly, but Alexandrina never cared for such trifles. 

"Are you quite comfortable?" he said, at last. 

"Oh, yes, quite, thank you. By-the-by, what did you do with mydressing-case?"

And that question she did ask with some energy. 

"It is under you. You can have it as foot-stool if you like it. "

"Oh, no; I should scratch it. I was afraid that if Hannah had it, it might be lost. " Then again there was silence, and Crosbie againconsidered as to what he would next say to his wife. 

We all know the advice given us of old as to what we should dounder such circumstances; and who can be so thoroughly justified infollowing that advice as a newly-married husband? So he put out hishand for hers and drew her closer to him. 

"Take care of my bonnet, " she said, as she felt the motion of therailway carriage when he kissed her. I don't think he kissed heragain till he had landed her and her bonnet safely at Folkestone. Howoften would he have kissed Lily, and how pretty would her bonnet havebeen when she reached the end of her journey, and how delightfullyhappy would she have looked when she scolded him for bending it! ButAlexandrina was quite in earnest about her bonnet; by far too much inearnest for any appearance of happiness. 

So he sat without speaking, till the train came to the tunnel. 

"I do so hate tunnels, " said Alexandrina. 

He had half intended to put out his hand again, under some mistakenidea that the tunnel afforded him an opportunity. The whole journeywas one long opportunity, had he desired it; but his wife hatedtunnels, and so he drew his hand back again. Lily's little fingerswould have been ready for his touch. He thought of this, and couldnot help thinking of it. 

He had _The Times_ newspaper in his dressing-bag. She also had anovel with her. Would she be offended if he took out the paper andread it? The miles seemed to pass by very slowly; and there was stillanother hour down to Folkestone. He longed for his _Times_, butresolved at last that he would not read unless she read first. Shealso had remembered her novel; but by nature she was more patientthan he, and she thought that on such a journey any reading mightperhaps be almost improper. So she sat tranquilly, with her eyesfixed on the netting over her husband's head. 

At last he could stand it no longer, and he dashed off intoa conversation, intended to be most affectionate and serious. 

"Alexandrina, " he said, and his voice was well-tuned for the tenderserious manner, had her ears been alive to such tuning. "Alexandrina, this is a very important step that you and I have taken to-day. "

"Yes; it is, indeed, " said she. 

"I trust we shall succeed in making each other happy. "

"Yes; I hope we shall. "

"If we both think seriously of it, and remember that that is ourchief duty, we shall do so. "

"Yes, I suppose we shall. I only hope we shan't find the house verycold. It is so new, and I am so subject to colds in my head. Ameliasays we shall find it very cold; but then she was always against ourgoing there. "

"The house will do very well, " said Crosbie. And Alexandrina couldperceive that there was something of the master in his tone as hespoke. 

"I am only telling you what Amelia said, " she replied. 

Had Lily been his bride, and had he spoken to her of their futurelife and mutual duties, how she would have kindled to the theme!She would have knelt at his feet on the floor of the carriage, and, looking up into his face, would have promised him to do herbest, --her best, --her very best. And with what an eagerness of inwardresolution would she have determined to keep her promise. He thoughtof all this now, but he knew that he ought not to think of it. Then, for some quarter of an hour, he did take out his newspaper, and she, when she saw him do so, did take out her novel. 

He took out his newspaper, but he could not fix his mind upon thepolitics of the day. Had he not made a terrible mistake? Of whatuse to him in life would be that thing of a woman that sat oppositeto him? Had not a great punishment come upon him, and had he notdeserved the punishment? In truth, a great punishment had comeupon him. It was not only that he had married a woman incapable ofunderstanding the higher duties of married life, but that he himselfwould have been capable of appreciating the value of a woman whodid understand them. He would have been happy with Lily Dale; andtherefore we may surmise that his unhappiness with Lady Alexandrinawould be the greater. There are men who, in marrying such as LadyAlexandrina de Courcy, would get the article best suited to them, as Mortimer Gazebee had done in marrying her sister. Miss GriseldaGrantly, who had become Lady Dumbello, though somewhat colder andsomewhat cleverer than Lady Alexandrina, had been of the same sort. But in marrying her, Lord Dumbello had got the article best suitedto him;--if only the ill-natured world would allow him to keepthe article. It was in this that Crosbie's failure had been sogrievous, --that he had seen and approved the better course, but hadchosen for himself to walk in that which was worse. During that weekat Courcy Castle, --the week which he passed there immediately afterhis second visit to Allington, --he had deliberately made up his mindthat he was more fit for the bad course than for the good one. Thecourse was now before him, and he had no choice but to walk in it. 

It was very cold when they got to Folkestone, and Lady Alexandrinashivered as she stepped into the private-looking carriage which hadbeen sent to the station for her use. 

"We shall find a good fire in the parlour at the hotel, " saidCrosbie. 

"Oh, I hope so, " said Alexandrina, "and in the bedroom too. "

The young husband felt himself to be offended, but he hardly knewwhy. He felt himself to be offended, and with difficulty inducedhimself to go through all those little ceremonies the absence ofwhich would have been remarked by everybody. He did his work, however, seeing to all her shawls and wrappings, speaking withgood-nature to Hannah, and paying special attention to thedressing-case. 

"What time would you like to dine?" he asked, as he prepared to leaveher alone with Hannah in the bedroom. 

"Whenever you please; only I should like some tea andbread-and-butter presently. "

Crosbie went into the sitting-room, ordered the tea andbread-and-butter, ordered also the dinner, and then stood himself upwith his back to the fire, in order that he might think a little ofhis future career. 

He was a man who had long since resolved that his life should be asuccess. It would seem that all men would so resolve, if the matterwere simply one of resolution. But the majority of men, as I take it, make no such resolution, and very many men resolve that they willbe unsuccessful. Crosbie, however, had resolved on success, and haddone much towards carrying out his purpose. He had made a name forhimself, and had acquired a certain fame. That, however, was, as heacknowledged to himself, departing from him. He looked the matterstraight in the face, and told himself that his fashion must beabandoned; but the office remained to him. He might still rule overMr Optimist, and make a subservient slave of Butterwell. That mustbe his line in life now, and to that line he would endeavour to betrue. As to his wife and his home, --he would look to them for hisbreakfast, and perhaps his dinner. He would have a comfortablearm-chair, and if Alexandrina should become a mother he wouldendeavour to love his children; but above all things he would neverthink of Lily. After that he stood and thought of her for half anhour. 

"If you please, sir, my lady wants to know at what time you haveordered dinner. "

"At seven, Hannah. "

"My lady says she is very tired, and will lie down till dinner-time. "

"Very well, Hannah. I will go into her room when it is time to dress. I hope they are making you comfortable downstairs?"

Then Crosbie strolled out on the pier in the dusk of the cold winterevening. 

CHAPTER XLVI

John Eames at His Office

Mr Crosbie and his wife went upon their honeymoon tour to Folkestonein the middle of February, and returned to London about the endof March. Nothing of special moment to the interests of our storyoccurred during those six weeks, unless the proceedings of theyoung married couple by the sea-side may be thought to have anyspecial interest. With regard to those proceedings I can only saythat Crosbie was very glad when they were brought to a close. Allholiday-making is hard work, but holiday-making with nothing to do isthe hardest work of all. At the end of March they went into their newhouse, and we will hope that Lady Alexandrina did not find it verycold. 

During this time Lily's recovery from her illness was beingcompleted. She had no relapse, nor did anything occur to create anew fear on her account. But, nevertheless, Dr Crofts gave it as hisopinion that it would be inexpedient to move her into a fresh houseat Lady-day. March is not a kindly month for invalids; and thereforewith some regret on the part of Mrs Dale, with much impatience onthat of Bell, and with considerable outspoken remonstrance from Lilyherself, the squire was requested to let them remain through themonth of April. How the squire received this request, and in what wayhe assented to the doctor's reasoning, will be told in the course ofa chapter or two. 

In the meantime John Eames had continued his career in London withoutmuch immediate satisfaction--to himself, or to the lady who boastedto be his heart's chosen queen. Miss Amelia Roper, indeed, wasbecoming very cross, and in her ill-temper was playing a game thatwas tending to create a frightful amount of hot water in BurtonCrescent. She was devoting herself to a flirtation with Mr Cradell, not only under the immediate eyes of Johnny Eames, but also underthose of Mrs Lupex. John Eames, the blockhead, did not like it. Hewas above all things anxious to get rid of Amelia and her claims; soanxious, that on certain moody occasions he would threaten himselfwith diverse tragical terminations to his career in London. He wouldenlist. He would go to Australia. He would blow out his brains. Hewould have "an explanation" with Amelia, tell her that she was avixen, and proclaim his hatred. He would rush down to Allington andthrow himself in despair at Lily's feet. Amelia, was the bugbear ofhis life. Nevertheless, when she flirted with Cradell, he did notlike it, and was ass enough to speak to Cradell about it. 

"Of course I don't care, " he said, "only it seems to me that you aremaking a fool of yourself. "

"I thought you wanted to get rid of her. "

"She's nothing on earth to me; only it does, you know--"

"Does do what?" asked Cradell. 

"Why, if I was to be fal-lalling with that married woman, youwouldn't like it. That's all about it. Do you mean to marry her?"

"What!--Amelia?"

"Yes; Amelia. "

"Not if I know it. "

"Then if I were you I would leave her alone. She's only making a foolof you. "

Eames's advice may have been good, and the view taken by him ofAmelia's proceedings may have been correct; but as regarded his ownpart in the affair, he was not wise. Miss Roper, no doubt, wished tomake him jealous; and she succeeded in the teeth of his aversion toher and of his love elsewhere. He had no desire to say soft thingsto Miss Roper. Miss Roper, with all her skill, could not extract aword pleasantly soft from him once a week. But, nevertheless, softwords to her and from her in another quarter made him uneasy. Suchbeing the case, must we not acknowledge that John Eames was stillfloundering in the ignorance of his hobbledehoyhood?

The Lupexes at this time still held their ground in the Crescent, although repeated warnings to go had been given them. Mrs Roper, though she constantly spoke of sacrificing all that they owed her, still hankered, with a natural hankering, after her money. And aseach warning was accompanied by a demand for payment, and usuallyproduced some slight subsidy on account, the thing went on from weekto week; and at the beginning of April Mr and Mrs Lupex were stillboarders at Mrs Roper's house. 

Eames had heard nothing from Allington since the time of hisChristmas visit, and his subsequent correspondence with Lord DeGuest. In his letters from his mother he was told that game camefrequently from Guestwick Manor, and in this way he knew that hewas not forgotten by the earl. But of Lily he had heard not aword, --except, indeed, the rumour, which had now become general, thatthe Dales from the Small House were about to move themselves intoGuestwick. When first he learned this he construed the tidings asfavourable to himself, thinking that Lily, removed from the grandeurof Allington, might possibly be more easily within his reach; but, latterly, he had given up any such hope as that, and was tellinghimself that his friend at the Manor had abandoned all idea of makingup the marriage. Three months had already elapsed since his visit. Five months had passed since Crosbie had surrendered his claim. Surely such a knave as Crosbie might be forgotten in five months!If any steps could have been taken through the squire, surely threemonths would have sufficed for them! It was very manifest to himthat there was no ground of hope for him at Allington, and it wouldcertainly be well for him to go off to Australia. He would go toAustralia, but he would thrash Cradell first for having dared tointerfere with Amelia Roper. That, generally, was the state of hismind during the first week in April. 

Then there came to him a letter from the earl which instantlyeffected a great change in all his feelings; which taught him toregard Australia as a dream, and almost put him into a good humourwith Cradell. The earl had by no means lost sight of his friend'sinterests at Allington; and, moreover, those interests were nowbacked by an ally who in this matter must be regarded as much morepowerful than the earl. The squire had given in his consent to theEames alliance. 

The earl's letter was as follows:--

 GUESTWICK MANOR, April, 18--. 

 MY DEAR JOHN, I told you to write to me again, and you haven't done it. I saw your mother the other day, or else you might have been dead for anything I knew. A young man always ought to write letters when he is told to do so. 

Eames, when he had got so far, felt himself rather aggrieved by thisrebuke, knowing that he had abstained from writing to his patronsimply from an unwillingness to intrude upon him with his letters. "By Jove, I'll write to him every week of his life, till he's sick ofme, " Johnny said to himself when he found himself thus instructed asto a young man's duties. 

 And now I have got to tell you a long story, and I should like it much better if you were down here, so that I might save myself the trouble; but you would think me ill-natured if I were to keep you waiting. I happened to meet Mr Dale the other day, and he said that he should be very glad if a certain young lady would make up her mind to listen to a certain young friend of mine. So I asked him what he meant to do about the young lady's fortune, and he declared himself willing to give her a hundred a year during his life, and to settle four thousand pounds upon her after his death. I said that I would do as much on my part by the young man; but as two hundred a year, with your salary, would hardly give you enough to begin with, I'll make mine a hundred and fifty. You'll be getting up in your office soon, and with five hundred a year you ought to be able to get along; especially as you need not insure your life. I should live somewhere near Bloomsbury Square at first, because I'm told you can get a house for nothing. After all, what's fashion worth? You can bring your wife down here in the autumn, and have some shooting. She won't let you go to sleep under the trees, I'll be bound. 

 But you must look after the young lady. You will understand that no one has said a word to her about it; or, if they have, I don't know it. You'll find the squire on your side. That's all. Couldn't you manage to come down this Easter? Tell old Buffle, with my compliments, that I want you. I'll write to him if you like it. I did know him at one time, though I can't say I was ever fond of him. It stands to reason that you can't get on with Miss Lily without seeing her; unless, indeed, you like better to write to her, which always seems to me to be very poor sort of fun. You'd much better come down, and go a-wooing in the regular old-fashioned way. I need not tell you that Lady Julia will be delighted to see you. You are a prime favourite with her since that affair at the railway station. She thinks a great deal more about that than she does about the bull. 

 Now, my dear fellow, you know all about it, and I shall take it very much amiss of you if you don't answer my letter soon. 

 Your very sincere friend, DE GUEST. 

When Eames had finished this letter, sitting at his office-desk, hissurprise and elation were so great that he hardly knew where he wasor what he ought to do. Could it be the truth that Lily's uncle hadnot only consented that the match should be made, but that he hadalso promised to give his niece a considerable fortune? For a fewminutes it seemed to Johnny as though all obstacles to his happinesswere removed, and that there was no impediment between him and anamount of bliss of which he had hitherto hardly dared to dream. Then, when he considered the earl's munificence, he almost cried. He foundthat he could not compose his mind to think, or even his hand towrite. He did not know whether it would be right in him to acceptsuch pecuniary liberality from any living man, and almost thoughtthat he should feel himself bound to reject the earl's offer. As tothe squire's money, that he knew he might accept. All that comes inthe shape of a young woman's fortune may be taken by any man. 

He would certainly answer the earl's letter, and that at once. Hewould not leave the office till he had done so. His friend shouldhave cause to bring no further charge against him of that kind. Andthen again he reverted to the injustice which had been done to him inthe matter of letter-writing--as if that consideration were of momentin such a state of circumstances as was now existing. But at lasthis thoughts brought themselves to the real question at issue. WouldLily Dale accept him? After all, the realisation of his good fortunedepended altogether upon her feelings; and, as he remembered this, his mind misgave him sorely. It was filled not only with a younglover's ordinary doubts, with the fear and trembling incidental tothe bashfulness of hobbledehoyhood--but with an idea that that affairwith Crosbie would still stand in his way. He did not, perhaps, rightly understand all that Lily had suffered, but he conceived itto be probable that there had been wounds which even the last fivemonths might not yet have cured. Could it be that she would allow himto cure these wounds? As he thought of this he felt almost crushedto the earth by an indomitable bashfulness and conviction of his ownunworthiness. What had he to offer worthy of the acceptance of such agirl as Lilian Dale?

I fear that the Crown did not get out of John Eames an adequatereturn for his salary on that day. So adequate, however, had been thereturn given by him for some time past, that promotion was supposedthroughout the Income-tax Office to be coming in his way, much to thejealousy of Cradell, Fisher, and others, his immediate compeers andcronies. And the place assigned to him by rumour was one which wasgenerally regarded as a perfect Elysium upon earth in the CivilService world. He was, so rumour said, to become private secretary tothe First Commissioner. He would be removed by such a change as thisfrom the large uncarpeted room in which he at present sat; occupyingthe same desk with another man to whom he had felt himself to beignominiously bound, as dogs must feel when they are coupled. Thisroom had been the bear-garden of the office. Twelve or fourteenmen sat in it. Large pewter pots were brought into it daily at oneo'clock, giving it an air that was not aristocratic. The seniorof the room, one Mr Love, who was presumed to have it under hisimmediate dominion, was a clerk of the ancient stamp, dull, heavy, unambitious, living out on the farther side of Islington, and unknownbeyond the limits of his office to any of his younger brethren. He was generally regarded as having given a bad tone to the room. And then the clerks in this room would not unfrequently be blownup, --with very palpable blowings up, --by an official swell, a certainchief clerk, named Kissing, much higher in standing though younger inage than the gentleman of whom we have before spoken. He would hurryin, out of his own neighbouring chamber, with quick step and nose inthe air, shuffling in his office slippers, looking on each occasionas though there were some cause to fear that the whole Civil Servicewere coming to an abrupt termination, and would lay about him withhard words, which some of those in the big room did not find it veryeasy to bear. His hair was always brushed straight up, his eyes werealways very wide open, --and he usually carried a big letter-book withhim, keeping in it a certain place with his finger. This book wasalmost too much for his strength, and he would flop it down, now onthis man's desk and now on that man's, and in along career of suchfloppings had made himself to be very much hated. On the score ofsome old grudge he and Mr Love did not speak to each other; and forthis reason, on all occasions of fault-finding, the blown-up youngman would refer Mr Kissing to his enemy. 

"I know nothing about it, " Mr Love would say, not lifting his facefrom his desk for a moment. 

"I shall certainly lay the matter before the Board, " Mr Kissing wouldreply, and would then shuffle out of the room with the big book. 

Sometimes Mr Kissing would lay the matter before the Board, and thenhe, and Mr Love, and two or three delinquent clerks would be summonedthither. It seldom led to much. The delinquent clerks would becautioned. One Commissioner would say a word in private to Mr Love, and another a word in private to Mr Kissing. Then, when left alone, the Commissioners would have their little jokes, saying that Kissing, they feared, went by favour; and that Love should still be lord ofall. But these things were done in the mild days, before Sir RaffleBuffle came to the Board. 

There had been some fun in this at first; but of late John Eames hadbecome tired of it. He disliked Mr Kissing, and the big book outof which Mr Kissing was always endeavouring to convict him of someofficial sin, and had got tired of that joke setting Kissing and Loveby the ears together. When the Assistant Secretary first suggestedto him that Sir Raffle had an idea of selecting him as privatesecretary, and when he remembered the cosy little room, all carpeted, with a leathern arm-chair and a separate washing-stand, which in suchcase would be devoted to his use, and remembered also that he wouldbe put into receipt of an additional hundred a year, and would standin the way of still better promotion, he was overjoyed. But therewere certain drawbacks. The present private secretary, --who had beenprivate secretary also to the late First Commissioner, --was givingup his Elysium because he could not endure the tones of Sir Raffle'svoice. It was understood that Sir Raffle required rather more of aprivate secretary, in the way of obsequious attendance, than wasdesirable, and Eames almost doubted his own fitness for the place. 

"And why should he choose me?" he had asked the Assistant Secretary. 

"Well, we have talked it over together, and I think that he prefersyou to any other that has been named. "

"But he was so very hard upon me about the affair at the railwaystation. "

"I think he has heard more about that since; I think that somemessage has reached him from your friend, Earl De Guest. "

"Oh, indeed!" said Johnny, beginning to comprehend what it was tohave an earl for his friend. Since his acquaintance with the noblemanhad commenced, he had studiously avoided all mention of the earl'sname at his office; and yet he received almost daily intimation thatthe fact was well known there, and not a little considered. 

"But he is so very rough, " said Johnny. 

"You can put up with that, " said his friend the Assistant Secretary. "His bark is worse than his bite, as you know, and then a hundred ayear is worth having. " Eames was at that moment inclined to take agloomy view of life in general, and was disposed to refuse the place, should it be offered to him. He had not then received the earl'sletter; but now, as he sat with that letter open before him, lyingin the drawer beneath his desk so that he could still read it as heleaned back in his chair, he was enabled to look at things in generalthrough a different atmosphere. In the first place, Lilian Dale'shusband ought to have a room to himself, with a carpet and anarm-chair; and then that additional hundred a year would raise hisincome at once to the sum as to which the earl had made some sort ofstipulation. But could he get that leave of absence at Easter? If heconsented to be Sir Raffle's private secretary, he would make that apart of the bargain. 

At this moment the door of the big room was opened, and Mr Kissingshuffled in with very quick little steps. He shuffled in, and comingdirect up to John's desk, flopped his ledger down upon it before itsowner had had time to close the drawer which contained the preciousletter. 

"What have you got in that drawer, Mr Eames?"

"A private letter, Mr Kissing. "

"Oh;--a private letter!" said Mr Kissing, feeling strongly convincedthere was a novel hidden there, but not daring to express his belief. "I have been half the morning, Mr Eames, looking for this letter tothe Admiralty, and you've put it under S!" A bystander listeningto Mr Kissing's tone would have been led to believe that the wholeIncome-tax Office was jeopardised by the terrible iniquity thusdisclosed. 

"Somerset House, " pleaded Johnny. 

"Psha;--Somerset House! Half the offices in London--"

"You'd better ask Mr Love, " said Eames. "It's all done under hisspecial instructions. " Mr Kissing looked at Mr Love; and Mr Lovelooked steadfastly at his desk. "Mr Love knows all about theindexing, " continued Johnny. "He's index master general to thedepartment. "

"No, I'm not, Mr Eames, " said Mr Love, who rather liked John Eames, and hated Mr Kissing with his whole heart. "But I believe theindexes, on the whole, are very well done in this room. Some peopledon't know how to find letters. "

"Mr Eames, " began Mr Kissing, still pointing with a finger of bitterreproach to the misused S, and beginning an oration which wasintended for the benefit of the whole room, and for the annihilationof old Mr Love, "if you have yet to learn that the word Admiraltybegins with A and not with S, you have much to learn which shouldhave been acquired before you first came into this office. SomersetHouse is not a department. " Then he turned round to the room atlarge, and repeated the last words, as though they might become veryuseful if taken well to heart--"Is not a department. The Treasury isa department; the Home Office is a department; the India Board is adepartment--"

"No, Mr Kissing, it isn't, " said a young clerk from the other end ofthe room. 

 "You know very well what I mean, sir. The India Office is adepartment. "

"There's no Board, sir. "

"Never mind; but how any gentleman who has been in the service threemonths, --not to say three years, --can suppose Somerset House to be adepartment, is beyond my comprehension. If you have been improperlyinstructed--"

"We shall know all about it another time, " said Eames. "Mr Love willmake a memorandum of it. "

"I shan't do anything of the kind, " said Mr Love. 

"If you have been wrongly instructed--" Mr Kissing began again, stealing a glance at Mr Love as he did so; but at this moment thedoor was again opened, and a messenger summoned Johnny to thepresence of the really great man. "Mr Eames to wait upon Sir Raffle. "Upon hearing this Johnny immediately started, and left Mr Kissing andthe big book in possession of his desk. How the battle was waged, and how it raged in the large room, we cannot stop to hear, as it isnecessary that we should follow our hero into the presence of SirRaffle Buffle. 

"Ah, Eames, --yes, " said Sir Raffle, looking up from his desk whenthe young man entered; "just wait half a minute, will you?" And theknight went to work at his papers, as though fearing that any delayin what he was doing might be very prejudicial to the nation atlarge. "Ah, Eames, --well, --yes, " he said again, as he pushed awayfrom him, almost with a jerk, the papers on which he had beenwriting. "They tell me that you know the business of this officepretty well. "

"Some of it, sir, " said Eames. 

"Well, yes; some of it. But you'll have to understand the whole of itif you come to me. And you must be very sharp about it too. You knowthat FitzHoward is leaving me?"

"I have heard of it, sir. "

"A very excellent young man, though perhaps not-- But we won't mindthat. The work is a little too much for him, and he's going back intothe office. I believe Lord De Guest is a friend of yours; isn't he?"

"Yes; he is a friend of mine, certainly. He's been very kind to me. "

"Ah, well. I've known the earl for many years, --for very many years;and intimately at one time. Perhaps you may have heard him mention myname?"

"Yes, I have, Sir Raffle. "

"We were intimate once, but those things go off, you know. He's beenthe country mouse and I've been the town mouse. Ha, ha, ha! You maytell him that I say so. He won't mind that coming from me. "

"Oh, no; not at all, " said Eames. 

"Mind you tell him when you see him. The earl is a man for whom I'vealways had a great respect, --a very great respect, --I may say regard. And now, Eames, what do you say to taking FitzHoward's place? Thework is hard. It is fair that I should tell you that. The work will, no doubt, be very hard. I take a greater share of what's going thanmy predecessors have done; and I don't mind telling you that I havebeen sent here, because a man was wanted who would do that. " Thevoice of Sir Raffle, as he continued, became more and more harsh, andEames began to think how wise FitzHoward had been. "I mean to do myduty, and I shall expect that my private secretary will do his. But, Mr Eames, I never forget a man. Whether he be good or bad, I neverforget a man. You don't dislike late hours, I suppose. "

"Coming late to the office you mean? Oh, no, not in the least. "

"Staying late, --staying late. Six or seven o'clock if necessary, putting your shoulder to the wheel when the coach gets into the mud. That's what I've been doing all my life. They've known what I amvery well. They've always kept me for the heavy roads. If they paid, in the Civil Service, by the hour, I believe I should have drawn alarger income than any man in it. If you take the vacant chair in thenext room you'll find it's no joke. It's only fair that I should tellyou that. "

"I can work as hard as any man, " said Eames. 

"That's right. That's right. Stick to that and I'll stick to you. It will be a great gratification to me to have by me a friend of myold friend De Guest. Tell him I say so. And now you may as well getinto harness at once. FitzHoward is there. You can go in to him, and at half-past four exactly I'll see you both. I'm very exact, mind, --very;--and therefore you must be exact. " Then Sir Rafflelooked as though he desired to be left alone. 

"Sir Raffle, there's one favour I want to ask of you, " said Johnny. 

"And what's that?"

"I am most anxious to be absent for a fortnight or three weeks, justat Easter. I shall want to go in about ten days. "

"Absent for three weeks at Easter, when the parliamentary work isbeginning! That won't do for a private secretary. "

"But it's very important, Sir Raffle. "

"Out of the question, Eames; quite out of the question. "

"It's almost life and death to me. "

"Almost life and death. Why, what are you going to do?" With all hisgrandeur and national importance, Sir Raffle would be very curious asto little people. 

"Well, I can't exactly tell you, and I'm not quite sure myself. "

"Then don't talk nonsense. It's impossible that I should spare myprivate secretary just at that time of the year. I couldn't do it. The service won't admit of it. You're not entitled to leave at thatseason. Private secretaries always take their leave in the autumn. "

"I should like to be absent in the autumn too, but--"

"It's out of the question, Mr Eames. "

Then John Eames reflected that it behoved him in such an emergency tofire off his big gun. He had a great dislike to firing this big gun, but, as he said to himself, there are occasions which make a big gunvery necessary. "I got a letter from Lord De Guest this morning, pressing me very much to go to him at Easter. It's about business, "added Johnny. "If there was any difficulty, he said, he should writeto you. "

"Write to me, " said Sir Raffle, who did not like to be approached toofamiliarly in his office, even by an earl. 

"Of course I shouldn't tell him to do that. But, Sir Raffle, if Iremained out there, in the office, " and Johnny pointed towards thebig room with his head, "I could choose April for my month. And asthe matter is so important to me, and to the earl--"

"What can it be?" said Sir Raffle. 

"It's quite private, " said John Eames. 

Hereupon Sir Raffle became very petulant, feeling that a bargain wasbeing made with him. This young man would only consent to become hisprivate secretary upon certain terms! "Well, go in to FitzHoward now. I can't lose all my day in this way. "

"But I shall be able to get away at Easter?"

"I don't know. We shall see about it. But don't stand talking therenow. " Then John Eames went into FitzHoward's room, and received thatgentleman's congratulations on his appointment. "I hope you likebeing rung for, like a servant, every minute, for he's always ringingthat bell. And he'll roar at you till you're deaf. You must give upall dinner engagements, for though there is not much to do, he'llnever let you go. I don't think anybody ever asks him out to dinner, for he likes being here till seven. And you'll have to write allmanner of lies about big people. And, sometimes, when he has sentRafferty out about his private business, he'll ask you to bring himhis shoes. " Now Rafferty was the First Commissioner's messenger. 

It must be remembered, however, that this little account was given byan outgoing and discomfited private secretary. "A man is not asked tobring another man his shoes, " said Eames to himself, "until he showshimself fit for that sort of business. " Then he made within his ownbreast a little resolution about Sir Raffle's shoes. 

CHAPTER XLVII

The New Private Secretary

 INCOME-TAX OFFICE, April 8, 18--. 

 MY DEAR LORD DE GUEST, I hardly know how to answer your letter, it is so very kind--more than kind. And about not writing before, --I must explain that I have not liked to trouble you with letters. I should have seemed to be encroaching if I had written much. Indeed it didn't come from not thinking about you. And first of all, about the money, --as to your offer, I mean. I really feel that I do not know what I ought to say to you about it, without appearing to be a simpleton. The truth is, I don't know what I ought to do, and can only trust to you not to put me wrong. I have an idea that a man ought not to accept a present of money, unless from his father, or somebody like that. And the sum you mention is so very large that it makes me wish you had not named it. If you choose to be so generous, would it not be better that you should leave it me in your will?

"So that he might always want me to be dying, " said Lord De Guest, ashe read the letter out loud to his sister. 

"I'm sure he wouldn't want that, " said Lady Julia. "But you may livefor twenty-five years, you know. "

"Say fifty, " said the earl. And then he continued the reading of hisletter. 

 But all that depends so much upon another person, that it is hardly worth while talking about it. Of course I am very much obliged to Mr Dale, --very much indeed, --and I think that he is behaving very handsomely to his niece. But whether it will do me any good, that is quite another thing. However, I shall certainly accept your kind invitation for Easter, and find out whether I have a chance or not. I must tell you that Sir Raffle Buffle has made me his private secretary, by which I get a hundred a year. He says he was a great crony of yours many years ago, and seems to like talking about you very much. You will understand what all that means. He has sent you ever so many messages, but I don't suppose you will care to get them. I am to go to him to-morrow, and from all I hear I shall have a hard time of it. 

"By George, he will, " said the earl. "Poor fellow!"

"But I thought a private secretary never had anything to do, " saidLady Julia. 

"I shouldn't like to be private secretary to Sir Raffle, myself. Buthe's young, and a hundred a year is a great thing. How we all of usused to hate that man. His voice sounded like a bell with a crack init. We always used to be asking for some one to muffle the Buffle. They call him Huffle Scuffle at his office. Poor Johnny!" Then hefinished the letter:--

 I told him that I must have leave of absence at Easter, and he at first declared that it was impossible. But I shall carry my point about that. I would not stay away to be made private secretary to the Prime Minister; and yet I almost feel that I might as well stay away for any good that I shall do. 

 Give my kind regards to Lady Julia, and tell her how very much obliged to her I am. I cannot express the gratitude which I owe to you. But pray believe me, my dear Lord De Guest, always very faithfully yours, JOHN EAMES. 

It was late before Eames had finished his letter. He had been makinghimself ready for his exodus from the big room, and preparing hisdesk and papers for his successor. About half-past five Cradell cameup to him, and suggested that they should walk home together. 

"What! you here still?" said Eames. "I thought you always went atfour. " Cradell had remained, hanging about the office, in order thathe might walk home with the new private secretary. But Eames did notdesire this. He had much of which he desired to think alone, andwould fain have been allowed to walk by himself. 

"Yes; I had things to do. I say, Johnny, I congratulate you mostheartily; I do, indeed. "

"Thank you, old fellow!"

"It is such a grand thing, you know. A hundred a year and all atonce! And then such a snug room to yourself, --and that fellow, Kissing, never can come near you. He has been making himself such abeast all day. But, Johnny, I always knew you'd come to somethingmore than common. I always said so. "

"There's nothing uncommon about this; except that Fitz says that oldHuffle Scuffle makes himself uncommon nasty. "

"Never mind what Fitz says. It's all jealousy. You'll have it allyour own way, if you look sharp. I think you always do have it allyour own way. Are you nearly ready?"

"Well, --not quite. Don't wait for me, Caudle. "

"Oh, I'll wait. I don't mind waiting. They'll keep dinner for us ifwe both stay. Besides, what matters? I'd do more than that for you. "

"I have some idea of working on till eight, and having a chop sentin, " said Johnny. "Besides--I've got somewhere to call, by myself. "

Then Cradell almost cried. He remained silent for two or threeminutes, striving to master his emotion; and at last, when he didspeak, had hardly succeeded in doing so. "Oh, Johnny, " he said, "Iknow what that means. You are going to throw me over because youare getting up in the world. I have always stuck to you, througheverything; haven't I?"

"Don't make yourself a fool, Caudle. "

"Well; so I have. And if they had made me private secretary, I shouldhave been just the same to you as ever. You'd have found no change inme. "

"What a goose you are. Do you say I'm changed, because I want to dinein the city?"

"It's all because you don't want to walk home with me, as we used todo. I'm not such a goose but what I can see. But, Johnny--I suppose Imustn't call you Johnny, now. "

"Don't be such a--con-founded--" Then Eames got up, and walked aboutthe room. "Come along, " said he, "I don't care about staying, anddon't mind where I dine. " And he bustled away with his hat andgloves, hardly giving Cradell time to catch him before he got outinto the streets. "I tell you what it is, Caudle, " said he, "all thatkind of thing is disgusting. "

"But how would you feel, " whimpered Cradell, who had never succeededin putting himself quite on a par with his friend, even in his ownestimation, since that glorious victory at the railway station. If hecould only have thrashed Lupex as Johnny had thrashed Crosbie; thenindeed they might have been equal, --a pair of heroes. But he hadnot done so. He had never told himself that he was a coward, but heconsidered that circumstances had been specially unkind to him. "Buthow would you feel, " he whimpered, "if the friend whom you likedbetter than anybody else in the world, turned his back upon you?"

"I haven't turned my back upon you; except that I can't get you towalk fast enough. Come along, old fellow, and don't talk confoundednonsense. I hate all that kind of thing. You never ought to supposethat a man will give himself airs, but wait till he does. I don'tbelieve I shall remain with old Scuffles above a month or two. Fromall that I can hear that's as much as any one can bear. "

Then Cradell by degrees became happy and cordial, and during thewhole walk flattered Eames with all the flattery of which he wasmaster. And Johnny, though he did profess himself to be averse to"all that kind of thing, " was nevertheless open to flattery. WhenCradell told him that though FitzHoward could not manage the Tartarknight, he might probably do so; he was inclined to believe whatCradell said. "And as to getting him his shoes, " said Cradell, "Idon't suppose he'd ever think of asking you to do such a thing, unless he was in a very great hurry, or something of that kind. "

"Look here, Johnny, " said Cradell, as they got into one of thestreets bordering on Burton Crescent, "you know the last thing inthe world I should like to do would be to offend you. "

"All right, Caudle, " said Eames, going on, whereas his companion hadshown a tendency towards stopping. 

"Look here, now; if I have vexed you about Amelia Roper, I'll makeyou a promise never to speak to her again. "

"D---- Amelia Roper, " said Eames, suddenly stopping himself andstopping Cradell as well. The exclamation was made in a deep angryvoice which attracted the notice of one or two who were passing. Johnny was very wrong, --wrong to utter any curse, --very wrong toejaculate that curse against a human being; and especially wrong tofulminate it against a woman--a woman whom he had professed to love!But he did do so, and I cannot tell my story thoroughly withoutrepeating the wicked word. 

Cradell looked up at him and stared. "I only meant to say, " saidCradell, "I'll do anything you like in the matter. "

"Then never mention her name to me again. And as to talking to her, you may talk to her till you're both blue in the face, if youplease. "

"Oh;--I didn't know. You didn't seem to like it the other day. "

"I was a fool the other day, --a confounded fool. And so I have beenall my life. Amelia Roper! Look here, Caudle; if she makes up to youthis evening, as I've no doubt she will, for she seems to be playingthat game constantly now, just let her have her fling. Never mind me;I'll amuse myself with Mrs Lupex, or Miss Spruce. "

"But there'll be the deuce to pay with Mrs Lupex. She's as cross aspossible already whenever Amelia speaks to me. You don't know what ajealous woman is, Johnny. " Cradell had got upon what he consideredto be his high ground. And on that he felt himself equal to any man. It was no doubt true that Eames had thrashed a man, and that he hadnot; it was true also that Eames had risen to very high place in thesocial world, having become a private secretary; but for a dangerous, mysterious, overwhelming, life-enveloping intrigue--was not he theacknowledged hero of such an affair? He had paid very dearly, both inpocket and in comfort, for the blessing of Mrs Lupex's society; buthe hardly considered that he had paid too dearly. There are certainluxuries which a man will find to be expensive; but, for all that, they may be worth their price. Nevertheless as he went up the stepsof Mrs Roper's house he made up his mind that he would oblige hisfriend. The intrigue might in that way become more mysterious, andmore life-enveloping; whereas it would not become more dangerous, seeing that Mr Lupex could hardly find himself to be aggrieved bysuch a proceeding. 

The whole number of Mrs Roper's boarders were assembled at dinnerthat day. Mr Lupex seldom joined that festive board, but on thisoccasion he was present, appearing from his voice and manner to bein high good-humour. Cradell had communicated to the company in thedrawing-room the great good fortune which had fallen upon his friend, and Johnny had thereby become the mark of a certain amount ofhero-worship. 

"Oh, indeed!" said Mrs Roper. "An 'appy woman your mother will bewhen she hears it. But I always said you'd come down right sideuppermost. "

"Handsome is as handsome does, " said Miss Spruce. 

"Oh, Mr Eames!" exclaimed Mrs Lupex, with graceful enthusiasm, "Iwish you joy from the very depth of my heart. It is such an elegantappointment. "

"Accept the hand of a true and disinterested friend, " said Lupex. AndJohnny did accept the hand, though it was very dirty and stained allover with paint. 

Amelia stood apart and conveyed her congratulations by glance, --or, Imight better say, by a series of glances. "And now, --now will you notbe mine, " the glances said; "now that you are rolling in wealth andprosperity?" And then before they went downstairs she did whisper oneword to him. "Oh, I am so happy, John;--so very happy. "

"Bother!" said Johnny, in a tone quite loud enough to reach thelady's ear. Then making his way round the room, he gave his arm toMiss Spruce. Amelia, as she walked downstairs alone, declared toherself that she would wring his heart. She had been employed inwringing it for some days past, and had been astonished at her ownsuccess. It had been clear enough to her that Eames had been piquedby her overtures to Cradell, and she had therefore to play out thatgame. 

"Oh, Mr Cradell, " she said, as she took her seat next to him. "Thefriends I like are the friends that remain always the same. I hateyour sudden rises. They do so often make a man upsetting. "

"I should like to try, myself, all the same, " said Cradell. 

"Well, I don't think it would make any difference in you; I don'tindeed. And, of course, your time will come too. It's that earl ashas done it, --he that was worried by the bull. Since we have known anearl we have been so mighty fine. " And Amelia gave her head a littletoss, and then smiled archly, in a manner which, to Cradell's eyes, was really very becoming. But he saw that Mrs Lupex was looking athim from the other side of the table, and he could not quite enjoythe goods which the gods had provided for him. 

When the ladies left the dining-room Lupex and the two young men drewtheir chairs near the fire, and each prepared for himself a moderatepotation. Eames made a little attempt at leaving the room, but hewas implored by Lupex with such earnest protestations of friendshipto remain, and was so weakly fearful of being charged with givinghimself airs, that he did as he was desired. 

"And here, Mr Eames, is to your very good health, " said Lupex, raising to his mouth a steaming goblet of gin-and-water, "and wishingyou many years to enjoy your official prosperity. "

"Thank ye, " said Eames. "I don't know much about the prosperity, butI'm just as much obliged. "

"Yes, sir; when I see a young man of your age beginning to rise inthe world, I know he'll go on. Now look at me, Mr Eames. Mr Cradell, here's your very good health, and may all unkindness be drowned inthe flowing bowl. Look at me, Mr Eames. I've never risen in theworld. I've never done any good in the world, and never shall. "

"Oh, Mr Lupex, don't say that. "

"Ah, but I do say it. I've always been pulling the devil by the tail, and never yet got as much as a good hold on to that. And I'll tellyou why; I never got a chance when I was young. If I could have gotany big fellow, a star, you know, to let me paint his portrait when Iwas your age, --such a one, let us say, as your friend Sir Raffle--"

"What a star!" said Cradell. 

"Well, I suppose he's pretty much known in the world, isn't he? OrLord Derby, or Mr Spurgeon. You know what I mean. If I'd got such achance as that when I was young, I should never have been doing jobsof scene-painting at the minor theatres at so much a square yard. You've got the chance now, but I never had it. "

Whereupon Mr Lupex finished his first measure of gin-and-water. 

"It's a very queer thing, --life is, " continued Lupex; and, thoughhe did not at once go to work boldly at the mixing of another glassof toddy, he began gradually, and as if by instinct, to finger thethings which would be necessary for that operation. "A very queerthing. Now, remember, young gentlemen, I'm not denying that successin life will depend upon good conduct;--of course it does; but, then, how often good conduct comes from success! Should I have been what Iam now, do you suppose, if some big fellow had taken me by the handwhen I was struggling to make an artist of myself? I could have drunkclaret and champagne just as well as gin-and-water, and worn rufflesto my shirt as gracefully as many a fellow who used to be very fondof me, and now won't speak to me if he meets me in the streets. Inever got a chance, --never. "

"But it's not too late yet, Mr Lupex, " said Eames. 

"Yes, it is, Eames, --yes, it is. " And now Mr Lupex had grasped thegin-bottle. "It's too late now. The game's over, and the match islost. The talent is here. I'm as sure of that now as ever I was. I'venever doubted my own ability, --never for a moment. There are men thisvery day making a thousand a year off their easels who haven't sogood and true an eye in drawing as I have, or so good a feeling incolours. I could name them; only I won't. "

"And why shouldn't you try again?" said Eames. 

"If I were to paint the finest piece that ever delighted the eye ofman, who would come and look at it? Who would have enough belief inme to come as far as this place and see if it were true? No, Eames;I know my own position and my own ways, and I know my own weakness. I couldn't do a day's work now, unless I were certain of getting acertain number of shillings at the end of it. That's what a man comesto when things have gone against him. "

"But I thought men got lots of money by scene-painting?"

"I don't know what you may call lots, Mr Cradell; I don't call itlots. But I'm not complaining. I know who I have to thank; and ifever I blow my own brains out I shan't be putting the blame on thewrong shoulders. If you'll take my advice, "--and now he turned roundto Eames, --"you'll beware of marrying too soon in life. "

"I think a man should marry early, if he marries well, " said Eames. 

"Don't misunderstand me, " continued Lupex. "It isn't about Mrs L. I'mspeaking. I've always regarded my wife as a very fascinating woman. "

"Hear, hear, hear!" said Cradell, thumping the table. 

"Indeed she is, " said Eames. 

"And when I caution you against marrying, don't you misunderstand me. I've never said a word against her to any man, and never will. If aman don't stand by his wife, whom will he stand by? I blame no onebut myself. But I do say this; I never had a chance;--I never had achance;--never had a chance. " And as he repeated the words, for thethird time, his lips were already fixed to the rim of his tumbler. 

At this moment the door of the dining-room was opened, and Mrs Lupexput in her head. 

"Lupex, " she said, "what are you doing?"

"Yes, my dear. I can't say I'm doing anything at the present moment. I was giving a little advice to these young gentlemen. "

"Mr Cradell, I wonder at you. And, Mr Eames, I wonder at you, too, --in your position! Lupex, come upstairs at once. " She thenstepped into the room and secured the gin-bottle. 

"Oh, Mr Cradell, do come here, " said Amelia, in her liveliest tone, as soon as the men made their appearance above. "I've been waitingfor you this half-hour. I've got such a puzzle for you. " And shemade way for him to a chair which was between herself and the wall. Cradell looked half afraid of his fortunes as he took the profferedseat; but he did take it, and was soon secured from any positivephysical attack by the strength and breadth of Miss Roper'scrinoline. 

"Dear me! Here's a change, " said Mrs Lupex, out loud. 

Johnny Eames was standing close, and whispered into her ear, "Changesare so pleasant sometimes! Don't you think so? I do. "

CHAPTER XLVIII

Nemesis

Crosbie had now settled down to the calm realities of married life, and was beginning to think that the odium was dying away which fora week or two had attached itself to him, partly on account of hisusage of Miss Dale, but more strongly in consequence of the thrashingwhich he had received from John Eames. Not that he had in any wayrecovered his former tone of life, or that he ever hoped to do so. But he was able to go in and out of his club without embarrassment. He could talk with his wonted voice, and act with his wontedauthority at his office. He could tell his friends, with some littledegree of pleasure in the sound, that Lady Alexandrina would be veryhappy to see them. And he could make himself comfortable in his ownchair after dinner, with his slippers and his newspaper. He couldmake himself comfortable, or at any rate could tell his wife that hedid so. 

It was very dull. He was obliged to acknowledge to himself, when hethought over the subject, that the life which he was leading wasdull. Though he could go into his club without annoyance, nobodythere ever thought of asking him to join them at dinner. It was takenfor granted that he was going to dine at home; and in the absence ofany provocation to the contrary, he always did dine at home. He hadnow been in his house for three weeks, and had been asked with hiswife to a few bridal dinner-parties, given chiefly by friends of thede Courcy family. Except on such occasions he never passed an eveningout of his own house, and had not yet, since his marriage, dined onceaway from his wife. He told himself that his good conduct in thisrespect was the result of his own resolution; but, nevertheless, hefelt that there was nothing else left for him to do. Nobody asked himto go to the theatre. Nobody begged him to drop in of an evening. Men never asked him why he did not play a rubber. He would generallysaunter into Sebright's after he left his office, and lounge aboutthe room for half an hour, talking to a few men. Nobody was uncivilto him. But he knew that the whole thing was changed, and heresolved, with some wisdom, to accommodate himself to his alteredcircumstances. 

Lady Alexandrina also found her new life rather dull, and wassometimes inclined to be a little querulous. She would tell herhusband that she never got out, and would declare, when he offered towalk with her, that she did not care for walking in the streets. "Idon't exactly see, then, where you are to walk, " he once replied. Shedid not tell him that she was fond of riding, and that the Park wasa very fitting place for such exercise; but she looked it, and heunderstood her. "I'll do all I can for her, " he said to himself; "butI'll not ruin myself. " "Amelia is coming to take me for a drive, " shesaid another time. "Ah, that'll be very nice, " he answered. "No; itwon't be very nice, " said Alexandrina. "Amelia is always shopping andbargaining with the tradespeople. But it will be better than beingkept in the house without ever stirring out. "

They breakfasted nominally at half-past nine; in truth, it was alwaysnearly ten, as Lady Alexandrina found it difficult to get herself outof her room. At half-past ten punctually he left his house for hisoffice. He usually got home by six, and then spent the greatest partof the hour before dinner in the ceremony of dressing. He went, atleast, into his dressing-room, after speaking a few words to hiswife: and there remained pulling things about, clipping his nails, looking over any paper that came in his way, and killing the time. Heexpected his dinner punctually at seven, and began to feel a littlecross if he were kept waiting. After dinner, he drank one glass ofwine in company with his wife, and one other by himself, during whichlatter ceremony he would stare at the hot coals, and think of thething he had done. Then he would go upstairs, and have, first a cupof coffee, and then a cup of tea. He would read his newspaper, opena book or two, hide his face when he yawned, and try to make believethat he liked it. She had no signs or words of love for him. Shenever sat on his knee, or caressed him. She never showed him that anyhappiness had come to her in being allowed to live close to him. Theythought that they loved each other:--each thought so; but there wasno love, no sympathy, no warmth. The very atmosphere was cold, --socold that no fire could remove the chill. 

In what way would it have been different had Lily Dale sat oppositeto him there as his wife, instead of Lady Alexandrina? He toldhimself frequently that either with one or with the other life wouldhave been the same; that he had made himself for a while unfit fordomestic life, and that he must cure himself of that unfitness. But though he declared this to himself in one set of half-spokenthoughts, he would also declare to himself in another set, that Lilywould have made the whole house bright with her brightness; thathad he brought her home to his hearth, there would have been a sunshining on him every morning and every evening. But, nevertheless, hestrove to do his duty, and remembered that the excitement of officiallife was still open to him. From eleven in the morning till five inthe afternoon he could still hold a position which made it necessarythat men should regard him with respect, and speak to him withdeference. In this respect he was better off than his wife, for shehad no office to which she could betake herself. 

"Yes, " she said to Amelia, "it is all very nice, and I don't mind thehouse being damp; but I get so tired of being alone. "

"That must be the case with women who are married to men ofbusiness. "

"Oh, I don't complain. Of course I knew what I was about. I supposeit won't be so very dull when everybody is up in London. "

"I don't find the season makes much difference to us afterChristmas, " said Amelia; "but no doubt London is gayer in May. You'llfind you'll like it better next year; and perhaps you'll have a baby, you know. "

"Psha!" ejaculated Lady Alexandrina; "I don't want a baby, and don'tsuppose I shall have one. "

"It's always something to do, you know. "

Lady Alexandrina, though she was not of an energetic temperament, could not but confess to herself that she had made a mistake. She hadbeen tempted to marry Crosbie because Crosbie was a man of fashion, and now she was told that the London season would make no differenceto her, --the London season which had hitherto always brought to herthe excitement of parties, if it had not given her the satisfactionof amusement. She had been tempted to marry because it appeared toher that a married woman could enjoy society with less restraint thana girl who was subject to her mother or her chaperon; that she wouldhave more freedom of action as a married woman; and now she was toldthat she must wait for a baby before she could have anything to do. Courcy Castle was sometimes dull, but Courcy Castle would have beenbetter than this. 

When Crosbie returned home after this little conversation aboutthe baby, he was told by his wife that they were to dine with theGazebees on the next Sunday. On hearing this he shook his head withvexation. He knew, however, that he had no right to make complaint, as he had been only taken to St. John's Wood once since they had comehome from their marriage trip. There was, however, one point as towhich he could grumble. "Why, on earth, on Sunday?"

"Because Amelia asked me for Sunday. If you are asked for Sunday, youcannot say you'll go on Monday. "

"It is so terrible on a Sunday afternoon. At what hour?"

"She said half-past five. "

"Heavens and earth! What are we to do all the evening?"

"It is not kind of you, Adolphus, to speak in that way of myrelations. "

"Come, my love, that's a joke; as if I hadn't heard you say the samething twenty times. You've complained of having to go up there muchmore bitterly than I ever did. You know I like your sister, and, in his way, Gazebee is a very good fellow; but after three or fourhours, one begins to have had enough of him. "

"It can't be much duller than it is--" but Lady Alexandrina stoppedherself before she finished her speech. 

"One can always read at home, at any rate, " said Crosbie. 

"One can't always be reading. However, I have said you would go. Ifyou choose to refuse, you must write and explain. "

When the Sunday came the Crosbies of course did go to St. John'sWood, arriving punctually at that door which he so hated at half-pastfive. One of the earliest resolutions which he made when he firstcontemplated the de Courcy match, was altogether hostile to theGazebees. He would see but very little of them. He would shakehimself free of that connection. It was not with that branch of thefamily that he desired an alliance. But now, as things had gone, thatwas the only branch of the family with which he seemed to be allied. He was always hearing of the Gazebees. Amelia and Alexandrina wereconstantly together. He was now dragged there to a Sunday dinner;and he knew that he should often be dragged there, --that he couldnot avoid such draggings. He already owed money to Mortimer Gazebee, and was aware that his affairs had been allowed to fall into thatlawyer's hands in such a way that he could not take them out again. His house was very thoroughly furnished, and he knew that the billshad been paid; but he had not paid them; every shilling had been paidthrough Mortimer Gazebee. 

"Go with your mother and aunt, de Courcy, " the attorney said to thelingering child after dinner; and then Crosbie was left alone withhis wife's brother-in-law. This was the period of the St. John'sWood purgatory which was so dreadful to him. With his sister-in-lawhe could talk, remembering perhaps always that she was an earl'sdaughter. But with Gazebee he had nothing in common. And he felt thatGazebee, who had once treated him with great deference, had now lostall such feeling. Crosbie had once been a man of fashion in theestimation of the attorney, but that was all over. Crosbie, in theattorney's estimation, was now simply the secretary of a publicoffice, --a man who owed him money. The two had married sisters, andthere was no reason why the light of the prosperous attorney shouldpale before that of the civil servant, who was not very prosperous. All this was understood thoroughly by both the men. 

"There's terrible bad news from Courcy, " said the attorney, as soonas the boy was gone. 

"Why; what's the matter?"

"Porlock has married--that woman, you know. "

"Nonsense. "

"He has. The old lady has been obliged to tell me, and she's nearlybroken-hearted about it. But that's not the worst of it to my mind. All the world knows that Porlock had gone to the mischief. But he isgoing to bring an action against his father for some arrears of hisallowance, and he threatens to have everything out in court, if hedoesn't get his money. "

"But is there money due to him?"

"Yes, there is. A couple of thousand pounds or so. I suppose I shallhave to find it. But, upon my honour, I don't know where it's to comefrom; I don't, indeed. In one way or another, I've paid over fourteenhundred pounds for you. "

"Fourteen hundred pounds!"

"Yes, indeed;--what with the insurance and the furniture, and thebill from our house for the settlements. That's not paid yet, butit's the same thing. A man doesn't get married for nothing, I cantell you. "

"But you've got security. "

"Oh, yes; I've got security. But the thing is the ready money. Ourhouse has advanced so much on the Courcy property, that they don'tlike going any further; and therefore it is that I have to do thismyself. They'll all have to go abroad, --that'll be the end of it. There's been such a scene between the earl and George. George losthis temper and told the earl that Porlock's marriage was his fault. It has ended in George with his wife being turned out. "

"He has money of his own. "

"Yes, but he won't spend it. He's coming up here, and we shall findhim hanging about us. I don't mean to give him a bed here, and Iadvise you not to do so either. You'll not get rid of him if you do. "

"I have the greatest possible dislike to him. "

"Yes; he's a bad fellow. So is John. Porlock was the best, but he'sgone altogether to ruin. They've made a nice mess of it between them;haven't they?"

This was the family for whose sake Crosbie had jilted Lily Dale!His single and simple ambition had been that of being an earl'sson-in-law. To achieve that it had been necessary that he should makehimself a villain. In achieving it he had gone through all manner ofdirt and disgrace. He had married a woman whom he knew he did notlove. He was thinking almost hourly of a girl whom he had loved, whom he did love, but whom he had so injured, that, under nocircumstances, could he be allowed to speak to her again. Theattorney there, --who sat opposite to him, talking about his thousandsof pounds with that disgusting assumed solicitude which such men puton, when they know very well what they are doing, --had made a similarmarriage. But he had known what he was about. He had got from hismarriage all that he had expected. But what had Crosbie got?

"They're a bad set, --a bad set, " said he in his bitterness. 

"The men are, " said Gazebee, very comfortably. 

"H-m, " said Crosbie. It was manifest to Gazebee that his friend wasexpressing a feeling that the women, also, were not all that theyshould be, but he took no offence, though some portion of the censuremight thereby be supposed to attach to his own wife. 

"The countess means well, " said Gazebee. "But she's had a hard lifeof it, --a very hard life. I've heard him call her names that wouldfrighten a coal-heaver. I have, indeed. But he'll die soon, and thenshe'll be comfortable. She has three thousand a year jointure. "

He'll die soon, and then she'll be comfortable! That was one phase ofmarried life. As Crosbie's mind dwelt upon the words, he rememberedLily's promise made in the fields, that she would do everything forhim. He remembered her kisses; the touch of her fingers; the lowsilvery laughing voice; the feel of her dress as she would pressclose to him. After that he reflected whether it would not be wellthat he too should die, so that Alexandrina might be comfortable. Sheand her mother might be very comfortable together, with plenty ofmoney, at Baden-Baden!

The squire at Allington, and Mrs Dale, and Lady Julia De Guest, hadbeen, and still were, uneasy in their minds because no punishment hadfallen upon Crosbie, --no vengeance had overtaken him in consequenceof his great sin. How little did they know about it! Could he havebeen prosecuted and put into prison, with hard labour, for twelvemonths, the punishment would not have been heavier. He would, in thatcase, at any rate, have been saved from Lady Alexandrina. 

"George and his wife are coming up to town; couldn't we ask them tocome to us for a week or so?" said his wife to him, as soon as theywere in the fly together, going home. 

"No, " shouted Crosbie; "we will do no such thing. " There was notanother word said on the subject, --nor on any other subject till theygot home. When they reached their house Alexandrina had a headache, and went up to her room immediately. Crosbie threw himself into achair before the remains of a fire in the dining-room, and resolvedthat he would cut the whole de Courcy family altogether. His wife, ashis wife, should obey him. She should obey him--or else leave him andgo her way by herself, leaving him to go his way. There was an incomeof twelve hundred a year. Would it not be a fine thing for him if hecould keep six hundred for himself and return to his old manner oflife. All his old comforts of course he would not have, --nor the oldesteem and regard of men. But the luxury of a club dinner he mightenjoy. Unembarrassed evenings might be his, --with liberty to him topass them as he pleased. He knew many men who were separated fromtheir wives, and who seemed to be as happy as their neighbours. And then he remembered how ugly Alexandrina had been this evening, wearing a great tinsel coronet full of false stones, with a cold inher head which had reddened her nose. There had, too, fallen uponher in these her married days a certain fixed dreary dowdiness. Shecertainly was very plain! So he said to himself, and then he went tobed. I myself am inclined to think that his punishment wassufficiently severe. 

The next morning his wife still complained of headache, so that hebreakfasted alone. Since that positive refusal which he had given toher proposition for inviting her brother, there had not been muchconversation between them. "My head is splitting, and Sarah shallbring some tea and toast up to me, if you will not mind it. "

He did not mind it in the least, and ate his breakfast by himself, with more enjoyment than usually attended that meal. 

It was clear to him that all the present satisfaction of his lifemust come to him from his office work. There are men who find itdifficult to live without some source of daily comfort, and he wassuch a man. He could hardly endure his life unless there were somepage in it on which he could look with gratified eyes. He had alwaysliked his work, and he now determined that he would like it betterthan ever. But in order that he might do so it was necessary thathe should have much of his own way. According to the theory of hisoffice, it was incumbent on him as Secretary simply to take theorders of the Commissioners, and see that they were executed; and tosuch work as this his predecessor had strictly confined himself. Buthe had already done more than this, and had conceived the ambition ofholding the Board almost under his thumb. He flattered himself thathe knew his own work and theirs better than they knew either, andthat by a little management he might be their master. It is notimpossible that such might have been the case had there been nofracas at the Paddington station; but, as we all know, the dominantcock of the farmyard must be ever dominant. When he shall once havehad his wings so smeared with mud as to give him even the appearanceof adversity, no other cock will ever respect him again. Mr Optimistand Mr Butterwell knew very well that their secretary had beencudgelled, and they could not submit themselves to a secretary whohad been so treated. 

"Oh, by-the-by, Crosbie, " said Butterwell, coming into his room, soon after his arrival at his office on that day of his solitarybreakfast, "I want to say just a few words to you. " And Butterwellturned round and closed the door, the lock of which had notpreviously been fastened. Crosbie, without much thinking, immediatelyforetold himself the nature of the coming conversation. 

"Do you know--" said Butterwell, beginning. 

"Sit down, won't you?" said Crosbie, seating himself as he spoke. Ifthere was to be a contest, he would make the best fight he could. He would show a better spirit here than he had done on the railwayplatform. Butterwell did sit down, and felt as he did so, that thevery motion of sitting took away some of his power. He ought tohave sent for Crosbie into his own room. A man, when he wishesto reprimand another, should always have the benefit of his ownatmosphere. 

"I don't want to find any fault, " Butterwell began. 

"I hope you have not any cause, " said Crosbie. 

"No, no; I don't say that I have. But we think at the Board--"

"Stop, stop, Butterwell. If anything unpleasant is coming, it hadbetter come from the Board. I should take it in better spirit; Ishould, indeed. "

"What takes place at the Board must be official. "

"I should not mind that in the least. I should rather like it thanotherwise. "

"It simply amounts to this, --that we think you are taking a littletoo much on yourself. No doubt, it's a fault on the right side, andarises from your wishing to have the work well done. "

"And if I don't do it, who will?" asked Crosbie. 

"The Board is very well able to get through all that appertains toit. Come, Crosbie, you and I have known each other a great manyyears, and it would be pity that we should have any words. I havecome to you in this way because it would be disagreeable to you tohave any question raised officially. Optimist isn't given to beingvery angry, but he was downright angry yesterday. You had better takewhat I say in good part, and go along a little quieter. "

But Crosbie was not in a humour to take anything quietly. He was soreall over, and prone to hit out at everybody that he met. "I have donemy duty to the best of my ability, Mr Butterwell, " he said, "and Ibelieve I have done it well. I believe I know my duty here as wellas any one can teach me. If I have done more than my share of work, it is because other people have done less than theirs. " As he spoke, there was a black cloud upon his brow, and the Commissioner couldperceive that the Secretary was very wrathful. 

"Oh! very well, " said Butterwell, rising from his chair. "I can only, under such circumstances, speak to the Chairman, and he will tell youwhat he thinks at the Board. I think you're foolish; I do, indeed. Asfor myself, I have only meant to act kindly by you. " After that, MrButterwell took himself off. 

On the same afternoon, Crosbie was summoned into the Board-room inthe usual way, between two and three. This was a daily occurrence, as he always sat for about an hour with two out of the threeCommissioners, after they had fortified themselves with a biscuitand a glass of sherry. On the present occasion, the usual amount ofbusiness was transacted, but it was done in a manner which madeCrosbie feel that they did not all stand together on their usualfooting. The three Commissioners were all there. The Chairman gavehis directions in a solemn, pompous voice, which was by no meansusual to him when he was in good humour. The Major said little ornothing; but there was a gleam of satisfied sarcasm in his eye. Things were going wrong at the Board, and he was pleased. MrButterwell was exceedingly civil in his demeanour, and rather morethan ordinarily brisk. As soon as the regular work of the day wasover, Mr Optimist shuffled about on his chair, rising from his seat, and then sitting down again. He looked through a lot of papers closeto his hand, peering at them over his spectacles. Then he selectedone, took off his spectacles, leaned back in his chair, and began hislittle speech. 

"Mr Crosbie, " he said, "we are all very much gratified, --very muchgratified, indeed, --by your zeal and energy in the service. "

"Thank you, sir, " said Crosbie; "I am fond of the service. "

"Exactly, exactly; we all feel that. But we think that you, --if Iwere to say take too much upon yourself, I should say, perhaps, morethan we mean. "

"Don't say more than you mean, Mr Optimist. " Crosbie's eyes, as hespoke, gleamed slightly with his momentary triumph; as did also thoseof Major Fiasco. 

"No, no, no, " said Mr Optimist; "I would say rather less than more toso very good a public servant as yourself. But you, doubtless, understand me?"

"I don't think I do quite, sir. If I have not taken too much on me, what is it that I have done that I ought not to have done?"

"You have given directions in many cases for which you ought first tohave received authority. Here is an instance, " and the selected paperwas at once brought out. 

It was a matter in which the Secretary had been manifestly wrongaccording to written law, and he could not defend it on its ownmerits. 

"If you wish me, " said he, "to confine myself exactly to the positiveinstructions of the office, I will do so; but I think you will findit inconvenient. "

"It will be far the best" said Mr Optimist. 

"Very well, " said Mr Crosbie, "it shall be done. " And he at oncedetermined to make himself as unpleasant to the three gentlemen inthe room as he might find it within his power to do. He could makehimself very unpleasant, but the unpleasantness would be as much tohim as to them. 

Nothing would now go right with him. He could look in no directionfor satisfaction. He sauntered into Sebright's, as he went home, buthe could not find words to speak to any one about the little mattersof the day. He went home, and his wife, though she was up, complainedstill of her headache. 

"I haven't been out of the house all day, " she said, "and that hasmade it worse. "

"I don't know how you are to get out if you won't walk, " he answered. 

Then there was no more said between them till they sat down to theirmeal. 

Had the squire at Allington known all, he might, I think, have beensatisfied with the punishment which Crosbie had encountered. 

CHAPTER XLIX

Preparations for Going

"Mamma, read that letter. "

It was Mrs Dale's eldest daughter who spoke to her, and they werealone together in the parlour at the Small House. Mrs Dale took theletter and read it very carefully. She then put it back into itsenvelope and returned it to Bell. 

"It is, at any rate, a good letter, and, as I believe, tells thetruth. "

"I think it tells a little more than the truth, mamma. As you say, it is a well-written letter. He always writes well when he is inearnest. But yet--"

"Yet what, my dear?"

"There is more head than heart in it. "

"If so, he will suffer the less; that is, if you are quite resolvedin the matter. "

"I am quite resolved, and I do not think he will suffer much. Hewould not, I suppose, have taken the trouble to write like that, ifhe did not wish this thing. "

"I am quite sure that he does wish it, most earnestly; and that hewill be greatly disappointed. "

"As he would be if any other scheme did not turn out to hissatisfaction; that is all. "

The letter, of course, was from Bell's cousin Bernard, and containingthe strongest plea he was able to make in favour of his suit for herhand. Bernard Dale was better able to press such a plea by letterthan by spoken words. He was a man capable of doing anything well inthe doing of which a little time for consideration might be given tohim; but he had not in him that power of passion which will force aman to eloquence in asking for that which he desires to obtain. Hisletter on this occasion was long, and well argued. If there waslittle in it of passionate love, there was much of pleasant flattery. He told Bell how advantageous to both their families their marriagewould be; he declared to her that his own feeling in the matter hadbeen rendered stronger by absence; he alluded without boasting to hispast career of life as her best guarantee for his future conduct; heexplained to her that if this marriage could be arranged there needthen, at any rate, be no further question as to his aunt removingwith Lily from the Small House; and then he told her that hisaffection for herself was the absorbing passion of his existence. Had the letter been written with the view of obtaining from a thirdperson a favourable verdict as to his suit, it would have been a verygood letter indeed; but there was not a word in it that could stirthe heart of such a girl as Bell Dale. 

"Answer him kindly, " Mrs Dale said. 

"As kindly as I know how, " said Bell. "I wish you would write theletter, mamma. "

"I fear that would not do. What I should say would only tempt him totry again. "

Mrs Dale knew very well, --had known for some months past, --thatBernard's suit was hopeless. She felt certain, although the matterhad not been discussed between them, that whenever Dr Crofts mightchoose to come again and ask for her daughter's hand he would not berefused. Of the two men she probably liked Dr Crofts the best; butshe liked them both, and she could not but remember that the one, in a worldly point of view, would be a very poor match, whereas theother would, in all respects, be excellent. She would not, on anyaccount, say a word to influence her daughter, and knew, moreover, that no word which she could say would influence her; but she couldnot divest herself of some regret that it should be so. 

"I know what you would wish, mamma, " said Bell. 

"I have but one wish, dearest, and that is for your happiness. MayGod preserve you from any such fate as Lily's. When I tell you towrite kindly to your cousin, I simply mean that I think him to havedeserved a kind reply by his honesty. "

"It shall be as kind as I can make it, mamma; but you know what thelady says in the play, --how hard it is to take the sting from thatword 'no. '" Then Bell walked out alone for a while, and on her returngot her desk and wrote her letter. It was very firm and decisive. As for that wit which should pluck the sting "from such a sharp andwaspish word as 'no, '" I fear she had it not. "It will be betterto make him understand that I, also, am in earnest, " she said toherself; and in this frame of mind she wrote her letter. "Pray do notallow yourself to think that what I have said is unfriendly, " sheadded, in a postscript. "I know how good you are, and I know thegreat value of what I refuse; but in this matter it must be my dutyto tell you the simple truth. "

It had been decided between the squire and Mrs Dale that the removalfrom the Small House to Guestwick was not to take place till thefirst of May. When he had been made to understand that Dr Crofts hadthought it injudicious that Lily should be taken out of their presenthouse in March, he had used all the eloquence of which he was masterto induce Mrs Dale to consent to abandon her project. He had told herthat he had always considered that house as belonging, of right, tosome other of the family than himself; that it had always been soinhabited, and that no squire of Allington had for years past takenrent for it. "There is no favour conferred, --none at all, " he hadsaid; but speaking nevertheless in his usual sharp, ungenial tone. 

"There is a favour, a great favour, and great generosity, " Mrs Dalehad replied. "And I have never been too proud to accept it; but whenI tell you that we think we shall be happier at Guestwick, you willnot refuse to let us go. Lily has had a great blow in that house, and Bell feels that she is running counter to your wishes on herbehalf, --wishes that are so very kind!"

"No more need be said about that. All that may come right yet, if youwill remain where you are. "

But Mrs Dale knew that "all that" could never come right, andpersisted. Indeed, she would hardly have dared to tell her girls thatshe had yielded to the squire's entreaties. It was just then, at thatvery time, that the squire was, as it were, in treaty with the earlabout Lily's fortune; and he did feel it hard that he should beopposed in such a way by his own relatives at the moment when he wasbehaving towards them with so much generosity. But in his argumentsabout the house he said nothing of Lily, or her future prospects. 

They were to move on the first of May, and one week of April wasalready past. The squire had said nothing further on the matter afterthe interview with Mrs Dale to which allusion has just been made. Hewas vexed and sore at the separation, thinking that he was ill-used, by the feeling which was displayed by this refusal. He had done hisduty by them, as he thought; indeed more than his duty, and now theytold him that they were leaving him because they could no longer bearthe weight of an obligation conferred by his hands. But in truth hedid not understand them; nor did they understand him. He had beenhard in his manner, and had occasionally domineered, not feeling thathis position, though it gave him all the privileges of a near and adear friend, did not give him the authority of a father or a husband. In that matter of Bernard's proposed marriage he had spoken as thoughBell should have considered his wishes before she refused her cousin. He had taken upon himself to scold Mrs Dale, and had thereby givenoffence to the girls, which they at the time had found it utterlyimpossible to forgive. 

But they were hardly better satisfied in the matter than was he; andnow that the time had come, though they could not bring themselves togo back from their demand, almost felt that they were treating thesquire with cruelty. When their decision had been made, --while ithad been making, --he had been stern and hard to them. Since that hehad been softened by Lily's misfortune, and softened also by theanticipated loneliness which would come upon him when they should begone from his side. It was hard upon him that they should so treathim when he was doing his best for them all! And they also felt this, though they did not know the extent to which he was anxious to go inserving them. When they had sat round the fire planning the scheme oftheir removal, their hearts had been hardened against him, and theyhad resolved to assert their independence. But now, when the timefor action had come, they felt that their grievances against him hadalready been in a great measure assuaged. This tinged all that theydid with a certain sadness; but still they continued their work. 

Who does not know how terrible are those preparations forhouse-moving;--how infinite in number are the articles which must bepacked, how inexpressibly uncomfortable is the period of packing, andhow poor and tawdry is the aspect of one's belongings while they arethus in a state of dislocation? Nowadays people who understand theworld, and have money commensurate with their understanding, havelearned the way of shunning all these disasters, and of leaving thework to the hands of persons paid for doing it. The crockery is leftin the cupboards, the books on the shelves, the wine in the bins, thecurtains on their poles, and the family that is understanding goesfor a fortnight to Brighton. At the end of that time the crockery iscomfortably settled in other cupboards, the books on other shelves, the wine in other bins, the curtains are hung on other poles, andall is arranged. But Mrs Dale and her daughters understood nothingof such a method of moving as this. The assistance of the villagecarpenter in filling certain cases that he had made was all thatthey knew how to obtain beyond that of their own two servants. Everyarticle had to pass through the hands of some one of the family; andas they felt almost overwhelmed by the extent of the work to be done, they began it much sooner than was necessary, so that it becameevident as they advanced in their work, that they would have to passa dreadfully dull, stupid, uncomfortable week at last, among theirboxes and cases, in all the confusion of dismantled furniture. 

At first an edict had gone forth that Lily was to do nothing. She wasan invalid, and was to be petted and kept quiet. But this edict soonfell to the ground, and Lily worked harder than either her mother orher sister. In truth she was hardly an invalid any longer, and wouldnot submit to an invalid's treatment. She felt herself that, for thepresent, constant occupation could alone save her from the misery oflooking back, --and she had conceived an idea that the harder thatoccupation was, the better it would be for her. While pulling downthe books, and folding the linen, and turning out from their oldhiding-places the small long-forgotten properties of the household, she would be as gay as ever she had been in old times. She would talkover her work, standing with flushed cheek and laughing eyes amongthe dusty ruins around her, till for a moment her mother would thinkthat all was well within her. But then at other moments, when thereaction came, it would seem as though nothing were well. She couldnot sit quietly over the fire, with quiet rational work in herhands, and chat in a rational quiet way. Not as yet could she do so. Nevertheless it was well with her, --within her own bosom. She haddeclared to herself that she would conquer her misery, --as she hadalso declared to herself during her illness that her misfortuneshould not kill her, --and she was in the way to conquer it. She toldherself that the world was not over for her because her sweet hopeshad been frustrated. The wound had been deep and very sore, but theflesh of the patient had been sound and healthy, and her blood pure. A physician having knowledge in such cases would have declared, afterlong watching of her symptoms, that a cure was probable. Her motherwas the physician who watched her with the closest eyes; and she, though she was sometimes driven to doubt, did hope, with strongerhope from day to day, that her child might live to remember the storyof her love without abiding agony. 

That nobody should talk to her about it, --that had been the onestipulation which she had seemed to make, not sending forth a requestto that effect among her friends in so many words, but showing bycertain signs that such was her stipulation. A word to that effectshe had spoken to her uncle, --as may be remembered, which word hadbeen regarded with the closest obedience. She had gone out intoher little world very soon after the news of Crosbie's falsehoodhad reached her, --first to church and then among the people of thevillage, resolving to carry herself as though no crushing weight hadfallen upon her. The village people had understood it all, listeningto her and answering her without the proffer of any outspoken parley. 

"Lord bless 'ee, " said Mrs Crump, the postmistress, --and Mrs Crumpwas supposed to have the sourest temper in Allington, --"wheneverI look at thee, Miss Lily, I thinks that surely thee is thebeautifulest young 'ooman in all these parts. "

"And you are the crossest old woman, " said Lily, laughing, and givingher hand to the postmistress. 

"So I be, " said Mrs Crump. "So I be. " Then Lily sat down in thecottage and asked after her ailments. With Mrs Hearn it was the same. Mrs Hearn, after that first meeting which has been already mentioned, petted and caressed her, but spoke no further word of her misfortune. When Lily called a second time upon Mrs Boyce, which she did boldlyby herself, that lady did begin one other word of commiseration. "Mydearest Lily, we have all been made so unhappy--" So far Mrs Boycegot, sitting close to Lily and striving to look into her face; butLily, with a slightly heightened colour, turned sharp round uponone of the Boyce girls, tearing Mrs Boyce's commiseration into thesmallest shreds. "Minnie, " she said, speaking quite loud, almost withgirlish ecstasy, "what do you think Tartar did yesterday? I neverlaughed so much in my life. " Then she told a ludicrous story about avery ugly terrier which belonged to the squire. After that even MrsBoyce made no further attempt. Mrs Dale and Bell both understood thatsuch was to be the rule, --the rule even to them. Lily would speak tothem occasionally on the matter, --to one of them at a time, beginningwith some almost single word of melancholy resignation, and thenwould go on till she opened her very bosom before them; but no suchconversation was ever begun by them. But now, in these busy days ofthe packing, that topic seemed to have been banished altogether. 

"Mamma, " she said, standing on the top rung of a house-ladder, fromwhich position she was handing down glass out of a cupboard, "are yousure that these things are ours? I think some of them belong to thehouse. "

"I'm sure about that bowl at any rate, because it was my mother'sbefore I was married. "

"Oh, dear, what should I do if I were to break it? Whenever I handleanything very precious I always feel inclined to throw it down andsmash it. Oh! it was as nearly gone as possible, mamma; but that wasyour fault. "

"If you don't take care you'll be nearly gone yourself. Do take holdof something. "

"Oh, Bell, here's the inkstand for which you've been moaning forthree years. "

"I haven't been moaning for three years; but who could have put it upthere?"

"Catch it, " said Lily; and she threw the bottle down on to a pile ofcarpets. 

At this moment a step was heard in the hall, and the squire enteredthrough the open door of the room. "So you're all at work, " said he. 

"Yes, we're at work, " said Mrs Dale, almost with a tone of shame. "Ifit is to be done it is as well that it should be got over. "

"It makes me wretched enough, " said the squire. "But I didn't come totalk about that. I've brought you a note from Lady Julia De Guest, and I've had one from the earl. They want us all to go there and staythe week after Easter. "

Mrs Dale and the girls, when this very sudden proposition was madeto them, all remained fixed in their place, and, for a moment, werespeechless. Go and stay a week at Guestwick Manor! The whole family!Hitherto the intercourse between the Manor and the Small House hadbeen confined to morning calls, very far between. Mrs Dale hadnever dined there, and had latterly even deputed the calling to herdaughters. Once Bell had dined there with her uncle, the squire, andonce Lily had gone over with her uncle Orlando. Even this had beenlong ago, before they were quite brought out, and they had regardedthe occasion with the solemn awe of children. Now, at this time oftheir flitting into some small mean dwelling at Guestwick, they hadpreviously settled among themselves that that affair of calling atthe Manor might be allowed to drop. Mrs Eames never called, and theywere descending to the level of Mrs Eames. "Perhaps we shall get gamesent to us, and that will be better, " Lily had said. And now, at thisvery moment of their descent in life, they were all asked to go andstay a week at the Manor! Stay a week with Lady Julia! Had the Queensent the Lord Chamberlain down to bid them all go to Windsor Castleit could hardly have startled them more at the first blow. Bell hadbeen seated on the folded carpet when her uncle had entered, and nowhad again sat herself in the same place. Lily was still standing atthe top of the ladder, and Mrs Dale was at the foot with one hand onLily's dress. The squire had told his story very abruptly, but he wasa man who, having a story to tell, knew nothing better than to tellit out abruptly, letting out everything at the first moment. 

"Wants us all!" said Mrs Dale. "How many does the all mean?" Then sheopened Lady Julia's note and read it, not moving from her position atthe foot of the ladder. 

"Do let me see, mamma, " said Lily; and then the note was handed up toher. Had Mrs Dale well considered the matter she might probably havekept the note to herself for a while, but the whole thing was sosudden that she had not considered the matter well. 

 My dear Mrs Dale [the letter ran], I send this inside a note from my brother to Mr Dale. We particularly want you and your two girls to come to us for a week from the seventeenth of this month. Considering our near connection we ought to have seen more of each other than we have done for years past, and of course it has been our fault. But it is never too late to amend one's ways; and I hope you will receive my confession in the true spirit of affection in which it is intended, and that you will show your goodness by coming to us. I will do all I can to make the house pleasant to your girls, for both of whom I have much real regard. 

 I should tell you that John Eames will be here for the same week. My brother is very fond of him, and thinks him the best young man of the day. He is one of my heroes, too, I must confess. 

 Very sincerely yours, JULIA DE GUEST. 

Lily, standing on the ladder, read the letter very attentively. The squire meanwhile stood below speaking a word or two to hissister-in-law and niece. No one could see Lily's face, as it wasturned away towards the window, and it was still averted when shespoke. "It is out of the question that we should go, mamma;--thatis, all of us. "

"Why out of the question?" said the squire. 

"A whole family!" said Mrs Dale. 

"That is just what they want, " said the squire. 

"I should like of all things to be left alone for a week, " said Lily, "if mamma and Bell would go. "

"That wouldn't do at all, " said the squire. "Lady Julia speciallywants you to be one of the party. "

The thing had been badly managed altogether. The reference in LadyJulia's note to John Eames had explained to Lily the whole scheme atonce, and had so opened her eyes that all the combined influence ofthe Dale and De Guest families could not have dragged her over to theManor. 

"Why not do?" said Lily. "It would be out of the question, a wholefamily going in that way, but it would be very nice for Bell. "

"No, it would not, " said Bell. 

"Don't be ungenerous about it, my dear, " said the squire turning toBell; "Lady Julia means to be kind. But, my darling, " and the squireturned again towards Lily, addressing her, as was his wont in thesedays, with an affection that was almost vexatious to her; "but, mydarling, why should you not go? A change of scene like that will doyou all the good in the world, just when you are getting well. Mary, tell the girls they ought to go. "

Mrs Dale stood silent, again reading the note, and Lily came downfrom the ladder. When she reached the floor she went directly up toher uncle, and taking his hand turned him round with herself towardsone of the windows, so that they stood with their backs to the room. "Uncle, " she said, "do not be angry with me. I can't go;" and thenshe put up her face to kiss him. 

He stooped and kissed her and still held her hand. He looked into herface and read it all. He knew well, now, why she could not go; or, rather, why she herself thought that she could not go. "Cannot you, my darling?" he said. 

"No, uncle. It is very kind, --very kind; but I cannot go. I am notfit to go anywhere. "

"But you should get over that feeling. You should make a struggle. "

"I am struggling, and I shall succeed; but I cannot do it all atonce. At any rate I could not go there. You must give my love to LadyJulia, and not let her think me cross. Perhaps Bell will go. "

What would be the good of Bell's going, --or the good of his puttinghimself out of the way, by a visit which would of itself be sotiresome to him, if the one object of the visit could not be carriedout? The earl and his sister had planned the invitation with theexpress intention of bringing Lily and Eames together. It seemedthat Lily was firm in her determination to resist this intention;and, if so, it would be better that the whole thing should fall tothe ground. He was very vexed, and yet he was not angry with her. Everybody lately had opposed him in everything. All his intendedfamily arrangements had gone wrong. But yet he was seldom angryrespecting them. He was so accustomed to be thwarted that he hardlyexpected success. In this matter of providing Lily with a secondlover, he had not come forward of his own accord. He had beenappealed to by his neighbour the earl, and had certainly answered theappeal with much generosity. He had been induced to make the attemptwith eagerness, and a true desire for its accomplishment; but inthis, as in all his own schemes, he was met at once by opposition andfailure. 

"I will leave you to talk it over among yourselves, " he said. "But, Mary, you had better see me before you send your answer. If you willcome up by-and-by, Ralph shall take the two notes over together inthe afternoon. " So saying, he left the Small House, and went back tohis own solitary home. 

"Lily, dear, " said Mrs Dale, as soon as the front door had beenclosed, "this is meant for kindness to you, --for most affectionatekindness. "

"I know it, mamma; and you must go to Lady Julia, and must tell herthat I know it. You must give her my love. And, indeed, I do love hernow. But--"

"You won't go, Lily?" said Mrs Dale, beseechingly. 

"No, mamma; certainly I will not go. " Then she escaped out of theroom by herself, and for the next hour neither of them dared to goto her. 

CHAPTER L

Mrs Dale Is Thankful for a Good Thing

On that day they dined early at the Small House, as they had been inthe habit of doing since the packing had commenced. And after dinnerMrs Dale went through the gardens, up to the other house, with awritten note in her hand. In that note she had told Lady Julia, withmany protestations of gratitude, that Lily was unable to go out sosoon after her illness, and that she herself was obliged to stay withLily. She explained also, that the business of moving was in hand, and that, therefore, she could not herself accept the invitation. Buther other daughter, she said, would be very happy to accompany heruncle to Guestwick Manor. Then, without closing her letter, she tookit up to the squire in order that it might be decided whether itwould or would not suit his views. It might well be that he would notcare to go to Lord De Guest's with Bell alone. 

"Leave it with me, " he said; "that is, if you do not object. "

"Oh dear, no!"

"I'll tell you the plain truth at once, Mary. I shall go over myselfwith it, and see the earl. Then I will decline it or not, accordingto what passes between me and him. I wish Lily would have gone. "

"Ah! she could not. "

"I wish she could. I wish she could. I wish she could. " As herepeated the words over and over again, there was an eagerness inhis voice that filled Mrs Dale's heart with tenderness towards him. 

"The truth is, " said Mrs Dale, "she could not go there to meet JohnEames. "

"Oh, I know, " said the squire: "I understand it. But that is justwhat we want her to do. Why should she not spend a week in the samehouse with an honest young man whom we all like. "

"There are reasons why she would not wish it. "

"Ah, exactly; the very reasons which should make us induce her to gothere if we can. Perhaps I had better tell you all. Lord De Guest hastaken him by the hand, and wishes him to marry. He has promised tosettle on him an income which will make him comfortable for life. "

"That is very generous; and I am delighted to hear it, --for John'ssake. "

"And they have promoted him at his office. "

"Ah! then he will do well. "

"He will do very well. He is private secretary now to their head man. And, Mary, so that she, Lily, should not be empty-handed if theirmarriage can be arranged, I have undertaken to settle a hundred ayear on her, --on her and her children, if she will accept him. Nowyou know it all. I did not mean to tell you; but it is as well thatyou should have the means of judging. That other man was a villain. This man is honest. Would it not be well that she should learn tolike him? She always did like him, I thought, before that otherfellow came down here among us. "

"She has always liked him--as a friend. "

"She will never get a better lover. "

Mrs Dale sat silent, thinking over it all. Every word that the squiresaid was true. It would be a healing of wounds most desirable andsalutary; an arrangement advantageous to them all; a destiny for Lilymost devoutly to be desired, --if only it were possible. Mrs Dalefirmly believed that if her daughter could be made to accept JohnEames as her second lover in a year or two all would be well. Crosbiewould then be forgotten or thought of without regret, and Lily wouldbecome the mistress of a happy home. But there are positions whichcannot be reached, though there be no physical or material objectionin the way. It is the view which the mind takes of a thing whichcreates the sorrow that arises from it. If the heart were alwaysmalleable and the feelings could be controlled, who would permithimself to be tormented by any of the reverses which affection meets?Death would create no sorrow, ingratitude would lose its sting; andthe betrayal of love would do no injury beyond that which it mightentail upon worldly circumstances. But the heart is not malleable;nor will the feelings admit of such control. 

"It is not possible for her, " said Mrs Dale. "I fear it is notpossible. It is too soon. "

"Six months, " pleaded the squire. 

"It will take years, --not months, " said Mrs Dale. 

"And she will lose all her youth. "

"Yes; he has done all that by his treachery. But it is done, and wecannot now go back. She loves him yet as dearly as she ever lovedhim. "

Then the squire muttered certain words below his breath, --ejaculations against Crosbie, which were hardly voluntary; buteven as involuntary ejaculations were very improper. Mrs Daleheard them, and was not offended either by their impropriety or theirwarmth. "But you can understand, " she said, "that she cannot bringherself to go there. " The squire struck the table with his fist, andrepeated his ejaculations. If he could only have known how verydisagreeable Lady Alexandrina was making herself, his spirit might, perhaps, have been less vehemently disturbed. If, also, he could haveperceived and understood the light in which an alliance with the deCourcy family was now regarded by Crosbie, I think that he would havereceived some consolation from that consideration. Those who offendus are generally punished for the offence they give; but we sofrequently miss the satisfaction of knowing that we are avenged! Itis arranged, apparently, that the injurer shall be punished, but thatthe person injured shall not gratify his desire for vengeance. 

"And will you go to Guestwick yourself?" asked Mrs Dale. 

"I will take the note, " said the squire, "and will let you knowto-morrow. The earl has behaved so kindly that every possibleconsideration is due to him. I had better tell him the whole truth, and go or stay, as he may wish. I don't see the good of going. Whatam I to do at Guestwick Manor? I did think that if we had all beenthere it might have cured some difficulties. "

Mrs Dale got up to leave him, but she could not go without sayingsome word of gratitude for all that he had attempted to do forthem. She well knew what he meant by the curing of difficulties. He had intended to signify that had they lived together for a weekat Guestwick the idea of flitting from Allington might possiblyhave been abandoned. It seemed now to Mrs Dale as though herbrother-in-law were heaping coals of fire on her head in return forthat intention. She felt half-ashamed of what she was doing, almostacknowledging to herself that she should have borne with hissternness in return for the benefits he had done to her daughters. Had she not feared their reproaches she would, even now, have givenway. 

"I do not know what I ought to say to you for your kindness. "

"Say nothing, --either for my kindness or unkindness; but stay whereyou are, and let us live like Christians together, striving tothink good and not evil. " These were kind, loving words, showing inthemselves a spirit of love and forbearance; but they were spoken ina harsh, unsympathising voice, and the speaker, as he uttered them, looked gloomily at the fire. In truth the squire, as he spoke, washalf-ashamed of the warmth of what he said. 

"At any rate I will not think evil, " Mrs Dale answered, giving himher hand. After that she left him, and returned home. It was too latefor her to abandon her project of moving and remain at the SmallHouse; but as she went across the garden she almost confessed toherself that she repented of what she was doing. 

In these days of the cold early spring, the way from the lawn intothe house, through the drawing-room window, was not as yet open, andit was necessary to go round by the kitchen-garden on to the road, and thence in by the front door; or else to pass through the backdoor, and into the house by the kitchen. This latter mode of entranceMrs Dale now adopted; and as she made her way into the hall Lily cameupon her, with very silent steps, out from the parlour, and arrestedher progress. There was a smile upon Lily's face as she lifted upher finger as if in caution, and no one looking at her would havesupposed that she was herself in trouble. "Mamma, " she said, pointingto the drawing-room door, and speaking almost in a whisper, "you mustnot go in there; come into the parlour. "

"Who's there? Where's Bell?" and Mrs Dale went into the parlour asshe was bidden. "But who is there?" she repeated. 

"He's there!"

"Who is he?"

"Oh, mamma, don't be a goose! Dr Crofts is there, of course. He'sbeen nearly an hour. I wonder how he is managing, for there isnothing on earth to sit upon but the old lump of a carpet. The roomis strewed about with crockery, and Bell is such a figure! She hasgot on your old checked apron, and when he came in she was rolling upthe fire-irons in brown paper. I don't suppose she was ever in such amess before. There's one thing certain, --he can't kiss her hand. "

"It's you are the goose, Lily. "

"But he's in there certainly, unless he has gone out through thewindow, or up the chimney. "

"What made you leave them?"

"He met me here, in the passage, and spoke to me ever so seriously. 'Come in, ' I said, 'and see Bell packing the pokers and tongs. ' 'Iwill go in, ' he said, 'but don't come with me. ' He was ever soserious, and I'm sure he had been thinking of it all the way along. "

"And why should he not be serious?"

"Oh, no, of course he ought to be serious; but are you not glad, mamma? I am so glad. We shall live alone together, you and I; but shewill be so close to us! My belief is that he'll stay there for everunless somebody does something. I have been so tired of waiting andlooking out for you. Perhaps he's helping her to pack the things. Don't you think we might go in; or would it be ill-natured?"

"Lily, don't be in too great a hurry to say anything. You may bemistaken, you know; and there's many a slip between the cup and thelip. "

"Yes, mamma, there is, " said Lily, putting her hand inside hermother's arm, "that's true enough. "

"Oh, my darling, forgive me, " said the mother, suddenly rememberingthat the use of the old proverb at the present moment had been almostcruel. 

"Do not mind it, " said Lily, "it does not hurt me, it does me good;that is to say, when there is nobody by except yourself. But, withGod's help, there shall be no slip here, and she shall be happy. Itis all the difference between one thing done in a hurry, and anotherdone with much thinking. But they'll remain there for ever if wedon't go in. Come, mamma, you open the door. "

Then Mrs Dale did open the door, giving some little premonitorynotice with the handle, so that the couple inside might be warned ofapproaching footsteps. Crofts had not escaped, either through thewindow or up the chimney, but was seated in the middle of the roomon an empty box, just opposite to Bell, who was seated upon thelump of carpeting. Bell still wore the checked apron as describedby her sister. What might have been the state of her hands I willnot pretend to say; but I do not believe that her lover had foundanything amiss with them. "How do you do, doctor?" said Mrs Dale, striving to use her accustomed voice, and to look as though therewere nothing of special importance in his visit. "I have just comedown from the Great House. "

"Mamma, " said Bell, jumping up, "you must not call him doctor anymore. "

"Must I not? Has any one undoctored him?"

"Oh, mamma, you understand, " said Bell. 

"I understand, " said Lily, going up to the doctor, and giving him hercheek to kiss, "he is to be my brother, and I mean to claim him assuch from this moment. I expect him to do everything for us, and notto call a moment of his time his own. "

"Mrs Dale, " said the doctor, "Bell has consented that it shall be so, if you will consent. "

"There is but little doubt of that, " said Mrs Dale. 

"We shall not be rich--" began the doctor. 

"I hate to be rich, " said Bell. "I hate even to talk about it. Idon't think it quite manly even to think about it; and I'm sure itisn't womanly. "

"Bell was always a fanatic in praise of poverty, " said Mrs Dale. 

"No; I'm no fanatic. I'm very fond of money earned. I would like toearn some myself if I knew how. "

"Let her go out and visit the lady patients, " said Lily. "They do inAmerica. "

Then they all went into the parlour and sat round the fire talking asthough they were already one family. The proceeding, considering thenature of it, --that a young lady, acknowledged to be of great beautyand known to be of good birth, had on the occasion been asked andgiven in marriage, --was carried on after a somewhat humdrum fashion, and in a manner that must be called commonplace. How different hadit been when Crosbie had made his offer! Lily for the time had beenraised to a pinnacle, --a pinnacle which might be dangerous, but whichwas, at any rate, lofty. With what a pretty speech had Crosbie beengreeted! How it had been felt by all concerned that the fortunesof the Small House were in the ascendant, --felt, indeed, with sometrepidation, but still with much inward triumph. How great had beenthe occasion, forcing Lily almost to lose herself in wondermentat what had occurred! There was no great occasion now, and nowonderment. No one, unless it was Crofts, felt very triumphant. Butthey were all very happy, and were sure that there was safety intheir happiness. It was but the other day that one of them had beenthrown rudely to the ground through the treachery of a lover, but yetnone of them feared treachery from this lover. Bell was as sure ofher lot in life as though she were already being taken home to hermodest house in Guestwick. Mrs Dale already looked upon the man asher son, and the party of four as they sat round the fire groupedthemselves as though they already formed one family. 

But Bell was not seated next to her lover. Lily, when she had onceaccepted Crosbie, seemed to think that she could never be too nearto him. She had been in no wise ashamed of her love, and had shownit constantly by some little caressing motion of her hand, leaningon his arm, looking into his face, as though she were continuallydesirous of some palpable assurance of his presence. It was not so atall with Bell. She was happy in loving and in being loved, but sherequired no overt testimonies of affection. I do not think it wouldhave made her unhappy if some sudden need had required that Croftsshould go to India and back before they were married. The thing wassettled, and that was enough for her. But, on the other hand, whenhe spoke of the expediency of an immediate marriage, she raised nodifficulty. As her mother was about to go into a new residence, itmight be as well that that residence should be fitted to the wants oftwo persons instead of three. So they talked about chairs and tables, carpets and kitchens, in a most unromantic, homely, useful manner!A considerable portion of the furniture in the house they were nowabout to leave belonged to the squire, --or to the house rather, as they were in the habit of saying. The older and more solidthings, --articles of household stuff that stand the wear of half acentury, --had been in the Small House when they came to it. Therewas, therefore, a question of buying new furniture for a house inGuestwick, --a question not devoid of importance to the possessor ofso moderate an income as that owned by Mrs Dale. In the first monthor two they were to live in lodgings, and their goods were to bestored in some friendly warehouse. Under such circumstances wouldit not be well that Bell's marriage should be so arranged that thelodging question might not be in any degree complicated by hernecessities? This was the last suggestion made by Dr Crofts, inducedno doubt by the great encouragement he had received. 

"That would be hardly possible, " said Mrs Dale. "It only wants threeweeks;--and with the house in such a condition!"

"James is joking, " said Bell. 

"I was not joking at all, " said the doctor. 

"Why not send for Mr Boyce, and carry her off at once on a pillionbehind you?" said Lily. "It's just the sort of thing for primitivepeople to do, like you and Bell. All the same, Bell, I do wish youcould have been married from this house. "

"I don't think it will make much difference, " said Bell. 

"Only if you would have waited till summer we would have had sucha nice party on the lawn. It sounds so ugly, being married fromlodgings; doesn't it, mamma?"

"It doesn't sound at all ugly to me, " said Bell. 

"I shall always call you Dame Commonplace when you're married, " saidLily. 

Then they had tea, and after tea Dr Crofts got on his horse and rodeback to Guestwick. 

"Now may I talk about him?" said Lily, as soon as the door was closedbehind his back. 

"No; you may not. "

"As if I hadn't known it all along! And wasn't it hard to bear thatyou should have scolded me with such pertinacious austerity, and thatI wasn't to say a word in answer!"

"I don't remember the austerity, " said Mrs Dale. 

"Nor yet Lily's silence, " said Bell. 

"But it's all settled now, " said Lily, "and I'm downright happy. Inever felt more satisfaction, --never, Bell!"

"Nor did I, " said her mother; "I may truly say that I thank God forthis good thing. "

CHAPTER LI

John Eames Does Things Which He Ought Not to Have Done

John Eames succeeded in making his bargain with Sir Raffle Buffle. Heaccepted the private secretaryship on the plainly expressed conditionthat he was to have leave of absence for a fortnight towards the endof April. Having arranged this he took an affectionate leave of MrLove, who was really much affected at parting with him, discussedvaledictory pots of porter in the big room, over which many wisheswere expressed that he might be enabled to compass the length andbreadth of old Ruffle's feet, uttered a last cutting joke at MrKissing as he met that gentleman hurrying through the passages withan enormous ledger in his hands, and then took his place in thecomfortable arm-chair which FitzHoward had been forced to relinquish. 

"Don't tell any of the fellows, " said Fitz, "but I'm going to cutthe concern altogether. My governor wouldn't let me stop here in anyother place than that of private secretary. "

"Ah, your governor is a swell, " said Eames. 

"I don't know about that, " said FitzHoward. "Of course he has a gooddeal of family interest. My cousin is to come in for St. Bungay atthe next election, and then I can do better than remain here. "

"That's a matter of course;" said Eames. "If my cousin were Memberfor St Bungay, I'd never stand anything east of Whitehall. "

"And I don't mean, " said FitzHoward. "This room, you know, is allvery nice; but it is a bore coming into the City every day. And thenone doesn't like to be rung for like a servant. Not that I mean toput you out of conceit with it. "

"It will do very well for me, " said Eames. "I never was veryparticular. " And so they parted, Eames assuming the beautifularm-chair and the peril of being asked to carry Sir Raffle's shoes, while FitzHoward took the vacant desk in the big room till such timeas some member of his family should come into Parliament for theborough of St. Bungay. 

But Eames, though he drank the porter, and quizzed FitzHoward, andgibed at Kissing, did not seat himself in his new arm-chair withoutsome serious thoughts. He was aware that his career in London had nothitherto been one on which he could look back with self-respect. Hehad lived with friends whom he did not esteem; he had been idle, andsometimes worse than idle; and he had allowed himself to be hamperedby the pretended love of a woman for whom he had never felt any trueaffection, and by whom he had been cozened out of various foolishpromises which even yet were hanging over his head. As he sat withSir Raffle's notes before him, he thought almost with horror of themen and women in Burton Crescent. It was now about three years sincehe had first known Cradell, and he shuddered as he remembered howvery poor a creature was he whom he had chosen for his bosom friend. He could not make for himself those excuses which we can makefor him. He could not tell himself that he had been driven bycircumstances to choose a friend, before he had learned to know whatwere the requisites for which he should look. He had lived on termsof closest intimacy with this man for three years, and now his eyeswere opening themselves to the nature of his friend's character. Cradell was in age three years his senior. "I won't drop him, " hesaid to himself; "but he is a poor creature. " He thought, too, of theLupexes, of Miss Spruce, and of Mrs Roper, and tried to imagine whatLily Dale would do if she found herself among such people. It wouldbe impossible that she should ever so find herself. He might as wellask her to drink at the bar of a gin shop as to sit down in MrsRoper's drawing-room. If destiny had in store for him such goodfortune as that of calling Lily his own, it was necessary that heshould altogether alter his mode of life. 

In truth his hobbledehoyhood was dropping off from him, as its oldskin drops from a snake. Much of the feeling and something of theknowledge of manhood was coming on him, and he was beginning torecognise to himself that the future manner of his life must be tohim a matter of very serious concern. No such thought had come nearhim when he first established himself in London. It seems to me thatin this respect the fathers and mothers of the present generationunderstand but little of the inward nature of the young men for whomthey are so anxious. They give them credit for so much that it isimpossible they should have, and then deny them credit for so muchthat they possess! They expect from them when boys the discretionof men, --that discretion which comes from thinking; but will notgive them credit for any of that power of thought which alonecan ultimately produce good conduct. Young men are generallythoughtful, --more thoughtful than their seniors; but the fruit oftheir thought is not as yet there. And then so little is done for theamusement of lads who are turned loose into London at nineteen ortwenty. Can it be that any mother really expects her son to sit aloneevening after evening in a dingy room drinking bad tea, and readinggood books? And yet it seems that mothers do so expect, --the verymothers who talk about the thoughtlessness of youth! O ye mothers whofrom year to year see your sons launched forth upon the perils ofthe world, and who are so careful with your good advice, with underflannel shirting, with books of devotion and tooth-powder, does itnever occur to you that provision should be made for amusement, fordancing, for parties, for the excitement and comfort of women'ssociety? That excitement your sons will have, and if it be notprovided by you of one kind, will certainly be provided by themselvesof another kind. If I were a mother sending lads out into the world, the matter most in my mind would be this, --to what houses full ofnicest girls could I get them admission, so that they might do theirflirting in good company. 

Poor John Eames had been so placed that he had been driven to do hisflirting in very bad company, and he was now fully aware that it hadbeen so. It wanted but two days to his departure for Guestwick Manor, and as he sat breathing a while after the manufacture of a largebatch of Sir Raffle's notes, he made up his mind that he would giveMrs Roper notice before he started, that on his return to London hewould be seen no more in Burton Crescent. He would break his bondsaltogether asunder, and if there should be any penalty for suchbreaking he would pay it in what best manner he might be able. Heacknowledged to himself that he had been behaving badly to Amelia, confessing, indeed, more sin in that respect than he had in truthcommitted; but this, at any rate, was clear to him, that he must puthimself on a proper footing in that quarter before he could ventureto speak to Lily Dale. 

As he came to a definite conclusion on this subject the littlehandbell which always stood on Sir Raffle's table was sounded, andEames was called into the presence of the great man. "Ah, " said SirRaffle, leaning back in his arm-chair, and stretching himself afterthe great exertions which he had been making--"Ah, let me see! Youare going out of town the day after to-morrow. "

"Yes, Sir Raffle, the day after to-morrow. "

"Ah! it's a great annoyance, --a very great annoyance. But on suchoccasions I never think of myself. I never have done so, and don'tsuppose I ever shall. So you're going down to my old friend DeGuest?"

Eames was always angered when his new patron Sir Raffle talked of hisold friendship with the earl, and never gave the Commissioner anyencouragement. "I am going down to Guestwick, " said he. 

"Ah! yes; to Guestwick Manor? I don't remember that I was ever there. I dare say I may have been, but one forgets those things. "

"I never heard Lord De Guest speak of it. "

"Oh, dear, no. Why should his memory be better than mine? Tell him, will you, how very glad I shall be to renew our old intimacy. Ishould think nothing of running down to him for a day or two in thedull time of the year, --say in September or October. It's rather acoincidence our both being interested about you, --isn't it?"

"I'll be sure to tell him. "

"Mind you do. He's one of our most thoroughly independent noblemen, and I respect him very highly. Let me see; didn't I ring my bell?What was it I wanted? I think I rang my bell. "

"You did ring your bell. "

"Ah, yes; I know. I am going away, and I wanted my--would you tellRafferty to bring me--my boots?" Whereupon Johnny rang the bell--notthe little handbell, but the other bell. "And I shan't be hereto-morrow, " continued Sir Raffle. "I'll thank you to send myletters up to the square; and if they should send down from theTreasury;--but the Chancellor would write, and in that case you'llsend up his letter at once by a special messenger, of course. "

"Here's Rafferty, " said Eames, determined that he would not evensully his lips with speaking of Sir Raffle's boots. 

"Oh, ah, yes; Rafferty, bring me my boots. "

"Anything else to say?" asked Eames. 

"No, nothing else. Of course you'll be careful to leave everythingstraight behind you. "

"Oh, yes; I'll leave it all straight. " Then Eames withdrew, so thathe might not be present at the interview between Sir Raffle and hisboots. "He'll not do, " said Sir Raffle to himself. "He'll never do. He's not quick enough, --has no go in him. He's not man enough for theplace. I wonder why the earl has taken him by the hand in that way. "

Soon after the little episode of the boots Eames left his office, and walked home alone to Burton Crescent. He felt that he had gaineda victory in Sir Raffle's room, but the victory there had been easy. Now he had another battle on his hands, in which, as he believed, theachievement of victory would be much more difficult. Amelia Roper wasa person much more to be feared than the Chief Commissioner. He hadone strong arrow in his quiver on which he would depend, if thereshould come to him the necessity of giving his enemy a death-wound. During the last week she had been making powerful love to Cradell, so as to justify the punishment of desertion from a former lover. Hewould not throw Cradell in her teeth if he could help it; but it wasincumbent on him to gain a victory, and if the worst should come tothe worst, he must use such weapons as destiny and the chance of warhad given him. 

He found Mrs Roper in the dining-room as he entered, and immediatelybegan his work. "Mrs Roper, " he said, "I'm going out of town the dayafter to-morrow. "

"Oh, yes, Mr Eames, we know that. You're going as a visitor to thenoble mansion of the Earl De Guest. "

"I don't know about the mansion being very noble, but I'm going downinto the country for a fortnight. When I come back--"

"When you come back, Mr Eames, I hope you'll find your room a dealmore comfortable. I know it isn't quite what it should be for agentleman like you, and I've been thinking for some time past--"

"But, Mrs Roper, I don't mean to come back here any more. It's justthat that I want to say to you. "

"Not come back to the crescent!"

"No, Mrs Roper. A fellow must move sometimes, you know; and I'm sureI've been very constant to you for a long time. "

"But where are you going, Mr Eames?"

"Well; I haven't just made up my mind as yet. That is, it will dependon what I may do, --on what friends of mine may say down in thecountry. You'll not think I'm quarrelling with you, Mrs Roper. "

"It's them Lupexes as have done it, " said Mrs Roper, in her deepdistress. 

"No, indeed, Mrs Roper, nobody has done it. "

"Yes, it is; and I'm not going to blame you, Mr Eames. They've madethe house unfit for any decent young gentleman like you. I've beenfeeling that all along; but it's hard upon a lone woman like me, isn't it, Mr Eames?"

"But, Mrs Roper, the Lupexes have had nothing to do with my going. "

"Oh, yes, they have; I understand it all. But what could I do, MrEames? I've been giving them warning every week for the last sixmonths; but the more I give them warning, the more they won't go. Unless I were to send for a policeman, and have a row in the house--"

"But I haven't complained of the Lupexes, Mrs Roper. "

"You wouldn't be quitting without any reason, Mr Eames. You are notgoing to be married in earnest, are you, Mr Eames?"

"Not that I know of. "

"You may tell me; you may, indeed. I won't say a word, --not toanybody. It hasn't been my fault about Amelia. It hasn't really. "

"Who says there's been any fault?"

"I can see, Mr Eames. Of course it didn't do for me to interfere. Andif you had liked her, I will say I believe she'd have made as gooda wife as any young man ever took; and she can make a few pounds gofarther than most girls. You can understand a mother's feelings; andif there was to be anything, I couldn't spoil it; could I, now?"

"But there isn't to be anything. "

"So I've told her for months past. I'm not going to say anything toblame you; but young men ought to be very particular; indeed theyought. " Johnny did not choose to hint to the disconsolate mother thatit also behoved young women to be very particular, but he thought it. "I've wished many a time, Mr Eames, that she had never come here;indeed I have. But what's a mother to do? I couldn't put her outsidethe door. " Then Mrs Roper raised her apron up to her eyes, and beganto sob. 

"I'm very sorry if I've made any mischief, " said Johnny. 

"It hasn't been your fault, " continued the poor woman, from whom, asher tears became uncontrollable, her true feelings forced themselvesand the real outpouring of her feminine nature. "Nor it hasn't beenmy fault. But I knew what it would come to when I saw how she wasgoing on; and I told her so. I knew you wouldn't put up with thelikes of her. "

"Indeed, Mrs Roper, I've always had a great regard for her, and foryou too. "

"But you weren't going to marry her. I've told her so all along, and I've begged her not to do it, --almost on my knees I have; butshe wouldn't be said by me. She never would. She's always beenthat wilful that I'd sooner have her away from me than with me. Though she's a good young woman in the house, --she is, indeed, MrEames, --and there isn't a pair of hands in it that works so hard;but it was no use my talking. "

"I don't think any harm has been done. "

"Yes, there has; great harm. It has made the place not respectable. It's the Lupexes is the worst. There's Miss Spruce, who has beenwith me for nine years, --ever since I've had the house, --she's beentelling me this morning that she means to go into the country. It'sall the same thing. I understand it. I can see it. The house isn'trespectable, as it should be; and your mamma, if she were to knowall, would have a right to be angry with me. I did mean to berespectable, Mr Eames; I did indeed. "

"Miss Spruce will think better of it. "

"You don't know what I've had to go through. There's none of thempays, not regular, --only she and you. She's been like the Bank ofEngland, has Miss Spruce. "

"I'm afraid I've not been very regular, Mrs Roper. "

"Oh, yes, you have. I don't think of a pound or two more or less atthe end of a quarter, if I'm sure to have it some day. Thebutcher, --he understands one's lodgers just as well as I do, --if themoney's really coming, he'll wait; but he won't wait for such asthem Lupexes, whose money's nowhere. And there's Cradell; would youbelieve it, that fellow owes me eight-and-twenty pounds!"

"Eight and twenty pounds!"

"Yes, Mr Eames, eight-and-twenty pounds! He's a fool. It's themLupexes as have had his money. I know it. He don't talk of paying, and going away. I shall be just left with him and the Lupexes on myhands; and then the bailiffs may come and sell every stick about theplace. I won't say nay to them. " Then she threw herself into the oldhorsehair armchair, and gave way to her womanly sorrow. 

"I think I'll go upstairs, and get ready for dinner, " said Eames. 

"And you must go away when you come back?" said Mrs Roper. 

"Well, yes, I'm afraid I must. I meant you to have a month's warningfrom to-day. Of course I shall pay for the month. "

"I don't want to take any advantage; indeed, I don't. But I do hopeyou'll leave your things. You can have them whenever you like. IfChumpend knows that you and Miss Spruce are both going, of coursehe'll be down upon me for his money. " Chumpend was the butcher. ButEames made no answer to this piteous plea. Whether or no he couldallow his old boots to remain in Burton Crescent for the next weekor two, must depend on the manner in which he might be received byAmelia Roper this evening. 

When he came down to the drawing-room, there was no one there butMiss Spruce. "A fine day, Miss Spruce, " said he. 

"Yes, Mr Eames, it is a fine day for London; but don't you think thecountry air is very nice?"

"Give me the town, " said Johnny, wishing to say a good word for poorMrs Roper, if it were possible. 

"You're a young man, Mr Eames; but I'm an old woman. That makes adifference, " said Miss Spruce. 

"Not much, " said Johnny, meaning to be civil. "You don't like to bedull any more than I do. "

"I like to be respectable, Mr Eames. I always have been respectable, Mr Eames. " This the old woman said almost in a whisper, lookinganxiously to see that the door had not been opened to other listeningears. 

"I'm sure Mrs Roper is very respectable. "

"Yes; Mrs Roper is respectable, Mr Eames; but there are some herethat--Hush-sh-sh!" And the old lady put her finger up to her lips. The door opened and Mrs Lupex swam into the room. 

"How d'ye do, Miss Spruce? I declare you're always first. It's to geta chance of having one of the young gentlemen to yourself, I believe. What's the news in the city to-day, Mr Eames? In your position now ofcourse you hear all the news. "

"Sir Raffle Buffle has got a new pair of shoes. I don't know that forcertain, but I guess it from the time it took him to put them on. "

"Ah! now you're quizzing. That's always the way with you gentlemenwhen you get a little up in the world. You don't think women areworth talking to then, unless just for a joke or so. "

"I'd a great deal sooner talk to you, Mrs Lupex, than I would to SirRaffle Buffle. "

"It's all very well for you to say that. But we women know what suchcompliments as those mean;--don't we, Miss Spruce? A woman that'sbeen married five years as I have, --or I may say six, --doesn'texpect much attention from young men. And though I was young whenI married, --young in years, that is, --I'd seen too much and gonethrough too much to be young in heart. " This she said almost in awhisper; but Miss Spruce heard it, and was confirmed in her beliefthat Burton Crescent was no longer respectable. 

"I don't know what you were then, Mrs Lupex, " said Eames; "but you'reyoung enough now for anything. "

"Mr Eames, I'd sell all that remains of my youth at a cheap rate, --ata very cheap rate, if I could only be sure of--"

"Sure of what, Mrs Lupex?"

"The undivided affection of the one person that I loved. That is allthat is necessary to a woman's happiness. "

"And isn't Lupex--"

"Lupex! But hush, never mind. I should not have allowed myself tobe betrayed into an expression of feeling. Here's your friend MrCradell. Do you know I sometimes wonder what you find in that man tobe so fond of him. " Miss Spruce saw it all, and heard it all, andpositively resolved upon moving herself to those two small rooms atDulwich. 

Hardly a word was exchanged between Amelia and Eames before dinner. Amelia still devoted herself to Cradell, and Johnny saw that thatarrow, if it should be needed, would be a strong weapon. Mrs Roperthey found seated at her place at the dining-table, and Eames couldperceive the traces of her tears. Poor woman! Few positions in lifecould be harder to bear than hers! To be ever tugging at others formoney that they could not pay; to be ever tugged at for money whichshe could not pay; to desire respectability for its own sake, but tobe driven to confess that it was a luxury beyond her means; to putup with disreputable belongings for the sake of lucre, and then notto get the lucre, but be driven to feel that she was ruined by theattempt! How many Mrs Ropers there are who from year to year sinkdown and fall away, and no one knows whither they betake themselves!One fancies that one sees them from time to time at the corners ofthe streets in battered bonnets and thin gowns, with the tatteredremnants of old shawls upon their shoulders, still looking asthough they had within them a faint remembrance of long-distantrespectability. With anxious eyes they peer about, as thoughsearching in the streets for other lodgers. Where do they get theirdaily morsels of bread, and their poor cups of thin tea, --theircups of thin tea, with perhaps a pennyworth of gin added to it, ifProvidence be good! Of this state of things Mrs Roper had a livelyappreciation, and now, poor woman, she feared that she was reachingit, by the aid of the Lupexes. On the present occasion she carved herjoint of meat in silence, and sent out her slices to the good gueststhat would leave her, and to the bad guests that would remain, withapathetic impartiality. What was the use now of doing favour to onelodger or disfavour to another? Let them take their mutton, --theywho would pay for it and they who would not. She would not have thecarving of many more joints in that house if Chumpend acted up to allthe threats which he had uttered to her that morning. 

The reader may, perhaps, remember the little back room behind thedining parlour. A description was given in some former pages of aninterview which was held between Amelia and her lover. It was inthat room that all the interviews of Mrs Roper's establishment hadtheir existence. A special room for interviews is necessary in allhouseholds of a mixed nature. If a man lives alone with his wife, he can have his interviews where he pleases. Sons and daughters, even when they are grown up, hardly create the necessity of aninterview-chamber, though some such need may be felt if the daughtersare marriageable and independent in their natures. But when thefamily becomes more complicated than this, if an extra young man beintroduced, or an aunt comes into residence, or grown up childrenby a former wife interfere with the domestic simplicity, then suchaccommodation becomes quite indispensable. No woman would think oftaking in lodgers without such a room; and this room there was at MrsRoper's, very small and dingy, but still sufficient, --just behindthe dining parlour and opposite to the kitchen stairs. Hither, afterdinner, Amelia was summoned. She had just seated herself between MrsLupex and Miss Spruce, ready to do battle with the former because shewould stay, and with the latter because she would go, when she wascalled out by the servant girl. 

"Miss Mealyer, Miss Mealyer, --sh-sh-sh!" And Amelia, looking round, saw a large red hand beckoning to her. "He's down there, " saidJemima, as soon as her young mistress had joined her, "and wants tosee you most partic'lar. "

"Which of 'em?" asked Amelia, in a whisper. 

"Why, Mr Heames, to be sure. Don't you go and have anythink to say tothe other one, Miss Mealyer, pray don't; he ain't no good; he ain'tindeed. "

Amelia stood still for a moment on the landing, calculating whetherit would be well for her to have the interview, or well to declineit. Her objects were two, --or, rather, her object was in itsnature twofold. She was, naturally, anxious to drive John Eames todesperation; and anxious also, by some slight added artifice, to makesure of Cradell if Eames's desperation did not have a very speedyeffect. She agreed with Jemima's criticism in the main, but she didnot go quite so far as to think that Cradell was no good at all. Letit be Eames, if Eames were possible; but let the other string be keptfor use if Eames were not possible. Poor girl! in coming to thisresolve she had not done so without agony. She had a heart, and withsuch power as it gave her, she loved John Eames. But the world hadbeen hard to her; knocking her about hither and thither unmercifully;threatening, as it now threatened, to take from her what few goodthings she enjoyed. When a girl is so circumstanced she cannot affordto attend to her heart. She almost resolved not to see Eames on thepresent occasion, thinking that he might be made the more desperateby such refusal, and remembering also that Cradell was in the houseand would know of it. 

"He's there a-waiting, Miss Mealyer. Why don't yer come down?" andJemima plucked her young mistress by the arm. 

"I am coming, " said Amelia. And with dignified steps she descended tothe interview. 

"Here she is, Mr Heames, " said the girl. And then Johnny foundhimself alone with his lady-love. 

"You have sent for me, Mr Eames, " she said, giving her head a littletoss, and turning her face away from him. "I was engaged upstairs, but I thought it uncivil not to come down to you as you sent for meso special. "

"Yes, Miss Roper, I did want to see you very particularly. "

"Oh, dear!" she exclaimed, and he understood fully that theexclamation referred to his having omitted the customary use of herChristian name. 

"I saw your mother before dinner, and I told her that I am going awaythe day after to-morrow. "

"We all know about that;--to the earl's, of course!" And then therewas another chuck of her head. 

"And I told her also that I had made up my mind not to come back toBurton Crescent. "

"What! leave the house altogether!"

"Well; yes. A fellow must make a change sometimes, you know. "

"And where are you going, John?"

"That I don't know as yet. "

"Tell me the truth, John; are you going to be married? Areyou--going--to marry--that young woman--Mr Crosbie's leavings? Idemand to have an answer at once. Are you going to marry her?"

He had determined very resolutely that nothing she might say shouldmake him angry, but when she thus questioned him about "Crosbie'sleavings" he found it very difficult to keep his temper. 

"I have not come, " said he, "to speak to you about any one butourselves. "

"That put-off won't do with me, sir. You are not to treat any girlyou may please in that sort of way;--oh, John!" Then she looked athim as though she did not know whether to fly at him and cover himwith kisses, or to fly at him and tear his hair. 

"I know I haven't behaved quite as I should have done, " he began. 

"Oh, John!" and she shook her head. "You mean, then, to tell me thatyou are going to marry her?"

"I mean to say nothing of the kind. I only mean to say that I amgoing away from Burton Crescent. "

"John Eames, I wonder what you think will come to you! Will youanswer me this; have I had a promise from you, --a distinct promise, over and over again, or have I not?"

"I don't know about a distinct promise--"

"Well, well! I did think that you was a gentleman that would not goback from your word. I did think that. I did think that you wouldnever put a young lady to the necessity of bringing forward her ownletters to prove that she is not expecting more than she has a right!You don't know! And that, after all that has been between us! JohnEames!" And again it seemed to him as though she were about to fly. 

"I tell you that I know I haven't behaved well. What more can I say?"

"What more can you say? Oh, John! to ask me such a question! If youwere a man you would know very well what more to say. But all youprivate secretaries are given to deceit, as the sparks fly upwards. However, I despise you, --I do, indeed. I despise you. "

"If you despise me, we might as well shake hands and part at once. Idare say that will be best. One doesn't like to be despised, ofcourse; but sometimes one can't help it. " And then he put out hishand to her. 

"And is this to be the end of all?" she said, taking it. 

"Well, yes; I suppose so. You say I'm despised. "

"You shouldn't take up a poor girl in that way for a sharp word, --notwhen she is suffering as I am made to suffer. If you only think ofit, --think what I have been expecting!" And now Amelia began to cry, and to look as though she were going to fall into his arms. 

"It is better to tell the truth, " he said; "isn't it?"

"But it shouldn't be the truth. "

"But it is the truth. I couldn't do it. I should ruin myself and youtoo, and we should never be happy. "

"I should be happy, --very happy indeed. " At this moment the poorgirl's tears were unaffected, and her words were not artful. For aminute or two her heart, --her actual heart, --was allowed to prevail. 

"It cannot be, Amelia. Will you not say good-bye?"

"Good-bye, " she said, leaning against him as she spoke. 

"I do so hope you will be happy, " he said. And then, putting his armround her waist, he kissed her; which he certainly ought not to havedone. 

When the interview was over, he escaped out into the crescent, andas he walked down through the squares, --Woburn Square, and RussellSquare, and Bedford Square, --towards the heart of London, he felthimself elated almost to a state of triumph. He had got himself wellout of his difficulties, and now he would be ready for his love-taleto Lily. 

CHAPTER LII

The First Visit to the Guestwick Bridge

When John Eames arrived at Guestwick Manor, he was first welcomedby Lady Julia. "My dear Mr Eames, " she said, "I cannot tell you howglad we are to see you. " After that she always called him John, andtreated him throughout his visit with wonderful kindness. No doubtthat affair of the bull had in some measure produced this feeling; nodoubt, also, she was well disposed to the man who she hoped might beaccepted as a lover by Lily Dale. But I am inclined to think thatthe fact of his having beaten Crosbie had been the most potentialcause of this affection for our hero on the part of Lady Julia. Ladies, --especially discreet old ladies, such as Lady Julia DeGuest, --are bound to entertain pacific theories, and to condemnall manner of violence. Lady Julia would have blamed any one whomight have advised Eames to commit an assault upon Crosbie. But, nevertheless, deeds of prowess are still dear to the female heart, and a woman, be she ever so old and discreet, understands andappreciates the summary justice which may be done by means of athrashing. Lady Julia, had she been called upon to talk of it, wouldundoubtedly have told Eames that he had committed a fault in strikingMr Crosbie; but the deed had been done, and Lady Julia became veryfond of John Eames. 

"Vickers shall show you your room, if you like to go upstairs; butyou'll find my brother close about the house if you choose to goout; I saw him not half an hour since. " But John seemed to be wellsatisfied to sit in his arm-chair over the fire, and talk to hishostess; so neither of them moved. 

"And now that you're a private secretary, how do you like it?"

"I like the work well enough; only I don't like the man, Lady Julia. But I shouldn't say so, because he is such an intimate friend of yourbrother's. "

"An intimate friend of Theodore's!--Sir Raffle Buffle!" Lady Juliastiffened her back and put on a serious face, not being exactlypleased at being told that the Earl De Guest had any such intimatefriend. 

"At any rate he tells me so about four times a day, Lady Julia. Andhe particularly wants to come down here next September. "

"Did he tell you that, too?"

"Indeed he did. You can't believe what a goose he is! Then his voicesounds like a cracked bell; it's the most disagreeable voice you everheard in your life. And one has always to be on one's guard lest heshould make one do something that is--is--that isn't quite the thingfor a gentleman. You understand;--what the messenger ought to do. "

"You shouldn't be too much afraid of your own dignity. "

"No, I'm not. If Lord De Guest were to ask me to fetch him his shoes, I'd run to Guestwick and back for them and think nothing of it, --justbecause he's my friend. He'd have a right to send me. But I'm notgoing to do such things as that for Sir Raffle Buffle. "

"Fetch him his shoes!"

"That's what FitzHoward had to do, and he didn't like it. "

"Isn't Mr FitzHoward nephew to the Duchess of St Bungay?"

"Nephew, or cousin, or something. "

"Dear me!" said Lady Julia, "what a horrible man!" And in this wayJohn Eames and her ladyship became very intimate. 

There was no one at dinner at the Manor that day but the earl and hissister and their single guest. The earl when he came in was very warmin his welcome, slapping his young friend on the back, and pokingjokes at him with a good-humoured if not brilliant pleasantry. 

"Thrashed anybody lately, John?"

"Nobody to speak of, " said Johnny. 

"Brought your nightcap down for your out-o'-doors nap?"

"No, but I've got a grand stick for the bull, " said Johnny. 

"Ah! that's no joke now, I can tell you, " said the earl. "We had tosell him, and it half broke my heart. We don't know what had come tohim, but he became quite unruly after that;--knocked Darvel down inthe straw-yard! It was a very bad business, --a very bad business, indeed! Come, go and dress. Do you remember how you came down todinner that day? I shall never forget how Crofts stared at you. Come, you've only got twenty minutes, and you London fellows always want anhour. "

"He's entitled to some consideration now he's a private secretary, "said Lady Julia. 

"Bless us all! yes; I forgot that. Come, Mr Private Secretary, don'tstand on the grandeur of your neck-tie to-day, as there's nobody herebut ourselves. You shall have an opportunity to-morrow. "

Then Johnny was handed over to the groom of the chambers, and exactlyin twenty minutes he reappeared in the drawing-room. 

As soon as Lady Julia had left them after dinner, the earl began toexplain his plan for the coming campaign. "I'll tell you now what Ihave arranged, " said he. "The squire is to be here to-morrow with hiseldest niece, --your Miss Lily's sister, you know. "

"What, Bell?"

"Yes, with Bell, if her name is Bell. She's a very pretty girl, too. I don't know whether she's not the prettiest of the two, after all. "

"That's a matter of opinion. "

"Just so, Johnny; and do you stick to your own. They're coming herefor three or four days. Lady Julia did ask Mrs Dale and Lily. Iwonder whether you'll let me call her Lily?"

"Oh, dear! I wish I might have the power of letting you. "

"That's just the battle that you've got to fight. But the motherand the younger sister wouldn't come. Lady Julia says it's allright;--that, as a matter of course, she wouldn't come when she heardyou were to be here. I don't quite understand it. In my days theyoung girls were ready enough to go where they knew they'd meet theirlovers, and I never thought any the worse of them for it. "

"It wasn't because of that, " said Eames. 

"That's what Lady Julia says, and I always find her to be right inthings of that sort. And she says you'll have a better chance ingoing over there than you would here, if she were in the same housewith you. If I was going to make love to a girl, of course I'd soonerhave her close to me, --staying in the same house. I should think itthe best fun in the world. And we might have had a dance, and allthat kind of thing. But I couldn't make her come, you know. "

"Oh, no; of course not. "

"And Lady Julia thinks that it's best as it is. You must go over, youknow, and get the mother on your side, if you can. I take it, thetruth is this;--you mustn't be angry with me, you know, for sayingit. "

"You may be sure of that. "

"I suppose she was fond of that fellow, Crosbie. She can't be veryfond of him now, I should think, after the way he has treated her;but she'll find a difficulty in making her confession that she reallylikes you better than she ever liked him. Of course that's whatyou'll want her to say. "

"I want her to say that she'll be my wife, --some day. "

"And when she has agreed to the some day, then you'll begin to pressher to agree to your day;--eh, sir? My belief is you'll bring herround. Poor girl! why should she break her heart when a decent fellowlike you will only be too glad to make her a happy woman?" And inthis way the earl talked to Eames till the latter almost believedthat the difficulties were vanishing from out of his path. "Couldit be possible, " he asked himself, as he went to bed, "that in afortnight's time Lily Dale should have accepted him as her futurehusband?" Then he remembered that day on which Crosbie, with thetwo girls, had called at his mother's house, when in the bitternessof his heart, he had sworn to himself that he would always regardCrosbie as his enemy. Since then the world had gone well with him;and he had no longer any bitter feeling against Crosbie. That matterhad been arranged on the platform of the Paddington Station. He feltthat if Lily would now accept him he could almost shake hands withCrosbie. The episode in his life and in Lily's would have beenpainful; but he would learn to look back upon that without regret, ifLily could be taught to believe that a kind fate had at last givenher to the better of her two lovers. "I'm afraid she won't bringherself to forget him, " he had said to the earl. "She'll only be toohappy to forget him, " the earl had answered, "if you can induce herto begin the attempt. Of course it is very bitter at first;--all theworld knew about it; but, poor girl, she is not to be wretched forever, because of that. Do you go about your work with some littleconfidence, and I doubt not but what you'll have your way. You haveeverybody in your favour, --the squire, her mother, and all. " Whilesuch words as these were in his ears how could he fail to hope and tobe confident? While he was sitting cosily over his bedroom fire heresolved that it should be as the earl had said. But when he got upon the following morning, and stood shivering as he came out of hisbath, he could not feel the same confidence. "Of course I shall go toher, " he said to himself, "and make a plain story of it. But I knowwhat her answer will be. She will tell me that she cannot forgethim. " Then his feelings towards Crosbie were not so friendly as theyhad been on the previous evening. 

He did not visit the Small House on that, his first day. It had beenthought better that he should first meet the squire and Bell atGuestwick Manor, so he postponed his visit to Mrs Dale till the nextmorning. 

"Go when you like, " said the earl. "There's the brown cob for you todo what you like with him while you are here. "

"I'll go and see my mother, " said John; "but I won't take the cobto-day. If you'll let me have him to-morrow, I'll ride to Allington. "So he walked off to Guestwick by himself. 

He knew well every yard of the ground over which he went, rememberingevery gate and stile and greensward from the time of his earlyboyhood. And now as he went along through his old haunts, he couldnot but look back and think of the thoughts which had filled his mindin his earlier wanderings. As I have said before, in some of thesepages, no walks taken by the man are so crowded with thought as thosetaken by the boy. He had been early taught to understand that theworld to him would be very hard; that he had nothing to look to buthis own exertions, and that those exertions would not, unfortunately, be backed by any great cleverness of his own. I do not know thatanybody had told him that he was a fool; but he had come tounderstand, partly through his own modesty, and partly, no doubt, through the somewhat obtrusive diffidence of his mother, that he wasless sharp than other lads. It is probably true that he had come tohis sharpness later in life than is the case with many young men. Hehad not grown on the sunny side of the wall. Before that situationin the Income-tax Office had fallen in his way, very humble modes oflife had offered themselves, --or, rather, had not offered themselvesfor his acceptance. He had endeavoured to become an usher at acommercial seminary, not supposed to be in a very thriving condition;but he had been, luckily, found deficient in his arithmetic. Therehad been some chance of his going into the leather-warehouse ofMessrs Basil and Pigskin, but those gentlemen had required a premium, and any payment of that kind had been quite out of his mother'spower. A country attorney, who had known the family for years, hadbeen humbly solicited, the widow almost kneeling before him withtears, to take Johnny by the hand and make a clerk of him; but theattorney had discovered that Master Johnny Eames was not supposed tobe sharp, and would have none of him. During those days, those gawky, gainless, unadmired days, in which he had wandered about the lanes ofGuestwick as his only amusement, and had composed hundreds of rhymesin honour of Lily Dale which no human eye but his own had ever seen, he had come to regard himself as almost a burden upon the earth. Nobody seemed to want him. His own mother was very anxious; but heranxiety seemed to him to indicate a continual desire to get rid ofhim. For hours upon hours he would fill his mind with castles in theair, dreaming of wonderful successes in the midst of which Lily Dalealways reigned as a queen. He would carry on the same story in hisimagination from month to month, almost contenting himself with suchideal happiness. Had it not been for the possession of that power, what comfort could there have been to him in his life? There are ladsof seventeen who can find happiness in study, who can busy themselvesin books and be at their ease among the creations of other minds. These are they who afterwards become well-informed men. It was not sowith John Eames. He had never been studious. The perusal of a novelwas to him in those days a slow affair; and of poetry he read butlittle, storing up accurately in his memory all that he did read. But he created for himself his own romance, though to the eye a mostunromantic youth; and he wandered through the Guestwick woods withmany thoughts of which they who knew him best knew nothing. All thishe thought of now as, with devious steps, he made his way towards hisold home, --with very devious steps, for he went backwards through thewoods by a narrow path which led right away from the town down to alittle water-course, over which stood a wooden foot-bridge with arail. He stood on the centre of the plank, at a spot which he knewwell, and rubbing his hand upon the rail, cleaned it for the spaceof a few inches of the vegetable growth produced by the spray of thewater. There, rudely carved in the wood, was still the word LILY. When he cut those letters she had been almost a child. "I wonderwhether she will come here with me and let me show it to her, " hesaid to himself. Then he took out his knife and cleared the cuttingsof the letters, and having done so, leaned upon the rail, and lookeddown upon the running water. How well things in the world had gonefor him! How well! And yet what would it all be if Lily would notcome to him? How well the world had gone for him! In those days whenhe stood there carving the girl's name everybody had seemed to regardhim as a heavy burden, and he had so regarded himself. Now he wasenvied by many, respected by many, taken by the hand as a friend bythose high in the world's esteem. When he had come near the GuestwickMansion in his old walks, --always, however, keeping at a greatdistance lest the grumpy old lord should be down upon him and scoldhim, --he had little dreamed that he and the grumpy old lord wouldever be together on such familiar terms, that he would tell to thatlord more of his private thoughts than to any other living being; yetit had come to that. The grumpy old lord had now told him that thatgift of money was to be his whether Lily Dale accepted him or no. "Indeed, the thing's done, " said the grumpy lord, pulling out fromhis pocket certain papers, "and you've got to receive the dividendsas they become due. " Then, when Johnny had expostulated, --as, indeed, the circumstances had left him no alternative but toexpostulate, --the earl had roughly bade him hold his tongue, tellinghim that he would have to fetch Sir Raffle's boots directly he gotback to London. So the conversation had quickly turned itself awayto Sir Raffle, whom they had both ridiculed with much satisfaction. "If he finds his way down here in September, Master Johnny, or inany other month either, you may fit my head with a foolscap. Notremember, indeed! Is it not wonderful that any man should makehimself so mean a fool?" All this was thought over again, as Eamesleaned upon the bridge. He remembered every word, and rememberedmany other words, --earlier words, spoken years ago, filling him withdesolation as to the prospects of his life. It had seemed that hisfriends had united in prophesying that the outlook into the worldfor him was hopeless, and that the earning of bread must be forever beyond his power. And now his lines had fallen to him in verypleasant places, and he was among those whom the world had determinedto caress. And yet, what would it all be if Lily would not sharehis happiness? When he had carved that name on the rail, his lovefor Lily had been an idea. It had now become a reality which mightprobably be full of pain. If it were so, --if such should be theresult, of his wooing, --would not those old dreamy days have beenbetter than these--the days of his success?

It was one o'clock by the time that he reached his mother's house, and he found her and his sister in a troubled and embarrassed state. "Of course you know, John, " said his mother, as soon as their firstembraces were over, "that we are going to dine at the Manor thisevening?" But he did not know it, neither the earl nor Lady Juliahaving said anything on the subject. "Of course we are going, " saidMrs Eames, "and it was so very kind. But I've never been out to sucha house for so many years, John, and I do feel in such a twitter. Idined there once, soon after we were married; but I never have beenthere since that. "

"It's not the earl I mind, but Lady Julia, " said Mary Eames. 

"She's the most good-natured woman in the world, " said Johnny. 

"Oh, dear; people say she is so cross!"

"That's because people don't know her. If I was asked who is thekindest-hearted woman I know in the world, I think I should say LadyJulia De Guest. I think I should. "

"Ah! but then they're so fond of you, " said the admiring mother. "Yousaved his lordship's life, --under Providence. "

"That's all bosh, mother. You ask Dr Crofts. He knows them as well asI do. "

"Dr Crofts is going to marry Bell Dale, " said Mary; and then theconversation was turned from the subject of Lady Julia's perfections, and the awe inspired by the earl. 

"Crofts going to marry Bell!" exclaimed Eames, thinking almost withdismay of the doctor's luck in thus getting himself accepted all atonce, while he had been suing with the constancy almost of a Jacob. 

"Yes, " said Mary; "and they say that she has refused her cousinBernard, and that, therefore, the squire is taking away the housefrom them. You know they're all coming into Guestwick. "

"Yes, I know they are. But I don't believe that the squire is takingaway the house. "

"Why should they come then? Why should they give up such a charmingplace as that?"

"Rent-free!" said Mrs Eames. 

"I don't know why they should come away; but I can't believe thesquire is turning them out; at any rate not for that reason. " Thesquire was prepared to advocate John's suit, and therefore John wasbound to do battle on the squire's behalf. 

"He is a very stern man, " said Mrs Eames, "and they say that sincethat affair of poor Lily's he has been more cross than ever withthem. As far as I know, it was not Lily's fault. "

"Poor Lily!" said Mary. "I do pity her. If I was her I should hardlyknow how to show my face; I shouldn't, indeed. "

"And why shouldn't she show her face?" said John, in an angry tone. "What has she done to be ashamed of? Show her face indeed! I cannotunderstand the spite which one woman will sometimes have to another. "

"There is no spite, John; and it's very wrong of you to say so, " saidMary, defending herself. "But it is a very unpleasant thing for agirl to be jilted. All the world knows that she was engaged to him. "

"And all the world knows--" But he would not proceed to declare thatall the world knew that also Crosbie had been well thrashed for hisbaseness. It would not become him to mention that, even before hismother and sister. All the world did know it; all the world thatcared to know anything of the matter, --except Lily Dale herself. Nobody had ever yet told Lily Dale of that occurrence at thePaddington Railway Station, and it was well for John that her friendsand his had been so discreet. 

"Oh, of course you are her champion, " said Mary. "And I didn't meanto say anything unkind. Indeed I didn't. Of course it was amisfortune. "

"I think it was the best piece of good fortune that could havehappened to her, not to marry a d---- scoundrel like--"

"Oh, John!" exclaimed Mrs Eames. 

"I beg your pardon, mother. But it isn't swearing to call such aman as that a d---- scoundrel. " And he particularly emphasised thenaughty word, thinking that thereby he would add to its import, andtake away from its naughtiness. "But we won't talk any more abouthim. I hate the man's very name. I hated him the first moment that Isaw him, and knew that he was a blackguard from his look. And I don'tbelieve a word about the squire having been cross to them. Indeed Iknow he has been the reverse of cross. So Bell is going to marry DrCrofts!"

"There is no doubt on earth about that, " said Mary. "And they saythat Bernard Dale is going abroad with his regiment. "

Then John discussed with his mother his duties as private secretary, and his intention of leaving Mrs Roper's house. "I suppose it isn'tnice enough for you now, John, " said his mother. 

"It never was very nice, mother, to tell you the truth. There werepeople there-- But you mustn't think I am turning up my nose becauseI'm getting grand. I don't want to live any better than we all livedat Mrs Roper's; but she took in persons that were not agreeable. There is a Mr and Mrs Lupex there. " Then he described something oftheir life in Burton Crescent, but did not say much about AmeliaRoper. Amelia Roper had not made her appearance in Guestwick, as hehad once feared that she would do; and therefore it did not need thathe should at present make known to his mother that episode in hislife. 

When he got back to the Manor House he found that Mr Dale and hisniece had arrived. They were both sitting with Lady Julia when hewent into the morning room, and Lord De Guest was standing over thefire talking to them. Eames as he came among them felt terriblyconscious of his position, as though all there were aware that he hadbeen brought down from London on purpose to make a declaration oflove;--as, indeed, all of them were aware of that fact. Bell, thoughno one had told her so in direct words, was as sure of it as theothers. 

"Here comes the prince of matadores, " said the earl. 

"No, my lord; you're the prince. I'm only your first follower. "Though he could contrive that his words should be gay, his looks weresheepish, and when he gave his hand to the squire it was only by astruggle that he could bring himself to look straight into the oldman's face. 

"I'm very glad to see you, John, " said the squire, "very gladindeed. "

"And so am I, " said Bell. "I have been so happy to hear that you havebeen promoted at your office, and so is mamma. "

"I hope Mrs Dale is quite well, " said he;--"and Lily. " The word hadbeen pronounced, but it had been done with so manifest an effort thatall in the room were conscious of it, and he paused as Bell preparedher little answer. 

"My sister has been very ill, you know, --with scarlatina. But she hasrecovered with wonderful quickness, and is nearly well again now. Shewill be so glad to see you if you will go over. "

"Yes; I shall certainly go over, " said John. 

"And now shall I show you your room, Miss Dale?" said Lady Julia. Andso the party was broken up, and the ice had been broken. 

CHAPTER LIII

Loquitur Hopkins

The squire had been told that his niece Bell had accepted Dr Crofts, and he had signified a sort of acquiescence in the arrangement, saying that if it were to be so, he had nothing to say against DrCrofts. He spoke this in a melancholy tone of voice, wearing on hisface that look of subdued sorrow which was now habitual to him. Itwas to Mrs Dale that he spoke on the subject. "I could have wishedthat it might have been otherwise, " he said, "as you are well aware. I had family reasons for wishing that it might be otherwise. But Ihave nothing to say against it. Dr Crofts, as her husband, shall bewelcome to my house. " Mrs Dale, who had expected much worse thanthis, began to thank him for his kindness, and to say that she alsowould have preferred to see her daughter married to her cousin. "Butin such a matter the decision should be left entirely to the girl. Don't you think so?"

"I have not a word to say against her, " he repeated. Then Mrs Daleleft him, and told her daughter that her uncle's manner of receivingthe news had been, for him, very gracious. "You were his favourite, but Lily will be so now, " said Mrs Dale. 

"I don't care a bit about that;--or, rather, I do care, and think itwill be in every way better. But as I, who am the naughty one, willgo away, and as Lily, who is the good one, will remain with you, doesn't it almost seem a pity that you should be leaving the house?"

Mrs Dale thought it was almost a pity, but she could not say so now. "You think Lily will remain, " she said. 

"Yes, mamma; I feel sure she will. "

"She was always very fond of John Eames;--and he is doing so well. "

"It will be of no use, mamma. She is fond of him, --very fond. In asort of a way she loves him--so well, that I feel sure she nevermentions his name without some inward reference to her old childishthoughts and fancies. If he had come before Mr Crosbie it would haveall been well with her. But she cannot do it now. Her pride wouldprevent her, even if her heart permitted it. Oh! dear; it's verywrong of me to say so, after all that I have said before; but Ialmost wish you were not going. Uncle Christopher seems to be lesshard than he used to be; and as I was the sinner, and as I amdisposed of--"

"It is too late now, my dear. "

"And we should neither of us have the courage to mention it to Lily, "said Bell. 

On the following morning the squire sent for his sister-in-law, as itwas his wont to do when necessity came for any discussion on mattersof business. This was perfectly understood between them, and suchsending was not taken as indicating any lack of courtesy on the partof Mr Dale. "Mary, " he said, as soon as Mrs Dale was seated, "Ishall do for Bell exactly what I have proposed to do for Lily. I hadintended more than that once, of course. But then it would all havegone into Bernard's pocket; as it is, I shall make no differencebetween them. They shall each have a hundred a year, --that is, whenthey marry. You had better tell Crofts to speak to me. "

"Mr Dale, he doesn't expect it. He does not expect a penny. "

"So much the better for him; and, indeed, so much the better for her. He won't make her the less welcome to his home because she bringssome assistance to it. "

"We have never thought of it, --any of us. The offer has come sosuddenly that I don't know what I ought to say. "

"Say--nothing. If you choose to make me a return for it--; but I amonly doing what I conceive to be my duty, and have no right to askfor a kindness in return. "

"But what kindness can we show you, Mr Dale?"

"Remain in that house. " In saying these last words he spoke as thoughhe were again angry, --as though he were again laying down the law tothem, --as though he were telling her of a duty which was due to himand incumbent on her. His voice was as stern and his face as acid asever. He said that he was asking for a kindness; but surely no manever asked for kindness in a voice so peremptory. "Remain in thathouse. " Then he turned himself in towards his table as though he hadno more to say. 

But Mrs Dale was beginning, now at last, to understand something ofhis mind and real character. He could be affectionate and forbearingin his giving; but when asking, he could not be otherwise than stern. Indeed, he could not ask; he could only demand. 

"We have done so much now, " Mrs Dale began to plead. 

"Well, well, well. I did not mean to speak about that. Things areunpacked easier than they are packed. But, however-- Never mind. Bellis to go with me this afternoon to Guestwick Manor. Let her be uphere at two. Grimes can bring her box round, I suppose. "

"Oh, yes: of course. "

"And don't be talking to her about money before she starts. I hadrather you didn't;--you understand. But when you see Crofts, tell himto come to me. Indeed, he'd better come at once, if this thing is togo on quickly. "

It may easily be understood that Mrs Dale would disobey theinjunctions contained in the squire's last words. It was quite outof the question that she should return to her daughters and nottell them the result of her morning's interview with their uncle. A hundred a year in the doctor's modest household would make allthe difference between plenty and want, between modest plenty andendurable want. Of course she told them, giving Bell to understandthat she must dissemble so far as to pretend ignorance of the affair. 

"I shall thank him at once, " said Bell; "and tell him that I did notat all expect it, but am not too proud to accept it. "

"Pray don't, my dear; not just now. I am breaking a sort of promisein telling you at all, --only I could not keep it to myself. And hehas so many things to worry him! Though he says nothing about it now, he has half broken his heart about you and Bernard. " Then, too, MrsDale told the girls what request the squire had just made, and themanner in which he had made it. "The tone of his voice as he spokebrought tears into my eyes. I almost wish we had not done anything. "

"But, mamma, " said Lily, "what difference can it make to him? Youknow that our presence near him was always a trouble to him. He neverreally wanted us. He liked to have Bell there when he thought thatBell would marry his pet. "

"Don't be unkind, Lily. "

"I don't mean to be unkind. Why shouldn't Bernard be his pet? Ilove Bernard dearly, and always thought it the best point in UncleChristopher that he was so fond of him. I knew, you know, that itwas no use. Of course I knew it, as I understood all about--somebodyelse. But Bernard is his pet. "

"He's fond of you all, in his own way, " said Mrs Dale. 

"But is he fond of you?--that's the question, " said Lily. "We couldhave forgiven him anything done to us, and have put up with any wordshe might have spoken to us, because he regards us as children. Hisgiving a hundred a year to Bell won't make you comfortable in thishouse if he still domineers over you. If a neighbour be neighbourly, near neighbourhood is very nice. But Uncle Christopher has notbeen neighbourly. He has wanted to be more than an uncle to us, oncondition that he might be less than a brother to you. Bell and Ihave always felt that his regard on such terms was not worth having. "

"I almost feel that we have been wrong, " said Mrs Dale; "but in truthI never thought that the matter would be to him one of so muchmoment. "

When Bell had gone, Mrs Dale and Lily were not disposed to continuewith much energy the occupation on which they had all been employedfor some days past. There had been life and excitement in the workwhen they had first commenced their packing, but now it was grownwearisome, dull, and distasteful. Indeed so much of it was done thatbut little was left to employ them, except those final strappings andfastenings, and that last collection of odds and ends which could notbe accomplished till they were absolutely on the point of starting. The squire had said that unpacking would be easier than packing, andMrs Dale, as she wandered about among the hampers and cases, began toconsider whether the task of restoring all the things to their oldplaces would be very disagreeable. She said nothing of this to Lily, and Lily herself, whatever might be her thoughts, made no suchsuggestion to her mother. 

"I think Hopkins will miss us more than any one else, " she said. "Hopkins will have no one to scold. "

Just at that moment Hopkins appeared at the parlour window, andsignified his desire for a conference. 

"You must come round, " said Lily. "It's too cold for the window tobe opened. I always like to get him into the house, because he feelshimself a little abashed by the chairs and tables; or, perhaps, it isthe carpet that is too much for him. Out on the gravel-walks he issuch a terrible tyrant, and in the greenhouse he almost tramples uponone!"

Hopkins, when he did appear at the parlour door, seemed by his mannerto justify Lily's discretion. He was not at all masterful in his toneor bearing, and seemed to pay to the chairs and tables all thedeference which they could have expected. 

"So you be going in earnest, ma'am, " he said, looking down at MrsDale's feet. 

As Mrs Dale did not answer him at once, Lily spoke: "Yes, Hopkins, we are going in a very few days, now. We shall see you sometimes, Ihope, over at Guestwick. "

"Humph!" said Hopkins. "So you be really going! I didn't think it'dever come to that, miss; I didn't indeed, --and no more it oughtn't;but of course it isn't for me to speak. "

"People must change their residence sometimes, you know, " said MrsDale, using the same argument by which Eames had endeavoured toexcuse his departure to Mrs Roper. 

"Well, ma'am; it ain't for me to say anything. But this I will say, I've lived here about t' squire's place, man and boy, jist all mylife, seeing I was born here, as you knows, Mrs Dale; and of allthe bad things I ever see come about the place, this is a sight theworst. "

"Oh, Hopkins!"

"The worst of all, ma'am; the worst of all! It'll just kill t'squire! There's ne'ery doubt in the world about that. It'll be thevery death of t' old man. "

"That's nonsense, Hopkins, " said Lily. 

"Very well, miss. I don't say but what it is nonsense; only you'llsee. There's Mr Bernard, --he's gone away; and by all accounts henever did care very much for the place. They say all he's a-goingto the Hingies. And Miss Bell is going to be married, --which is allproper, in course; why shouldn't she? And why shouldn't you, too, Miss Lily?"

"Perhaps I shall, some day, Hopkins. "

"There's no day like the present, Miss Lily. And I do say this, thatthe man as pitched into him would be the man for my money. " This, which Hopkins spoke in the excitement of the moment, was perfectlyunintelligible to Lily, and Mrs Dale, who shuddered as she heardhim, said not a word to call for any explanation. "But, " continuedHopkins, "that's all as it may be, Miss Lily, and you be in the handsof Providence, --as is others. "

"Exactly so, Hopkins. "

"But why should your mamma be all for going away? She ain't goingto marry no one. Here's the house, and there's she, and there's t'squire; and why should she be for going away? So much going away allat once can't be for any good. It's just a breaking up of everything, as though nothing wasn't good enough for nobody. I never went away, and I can't abide it. "

"Well, Hopkins; it's settled now, " said Mrs Dale, "and I'm afraid itcan't be unsettled. "

"Settled;--well. Tell me this: do you expect, Mrs Dale, that he's tolive there all alone by hisself without any one to say a cross wordto, --unless it be me or Dingles; for Jolliffe's worse than nobody, he's so mortial cross hisself. Of course he can't stand it. If yougoes away, Mrs Dale, Mister Bernard, he'll be squire in less thantwelve months. He'll come back from the Hingies, then, I suppose?"

"I don't think my brother-in-law will take it in that way, Hopkins. "

"Ah, ma'am, you don't know him, --not as I knows him; all the ins andouts and crinks and crannies of him. I knows him as I does the oldapple-trees that I've been a-handling for forty year. There's a dealof bad wood about them old cankered trees, and some folk say theyain't worth the ground they stand on; but I know where the sap runs, and when the fruit-blossom shows itself I know where the fruitwill be the sweetest. It don't take much to kill one of them oldtrees, --but there's life in 'm yet if they be well handled. "

"I'm sure I hope my brother's life may be long spared to him, " saidMrs Dale. 

"Then don't be taking yourself away, ma'am, into them gashly lodgingsat Guestwick. I says they are gashly for the likes of a Dale. It isnot for me to speak, ma'am, of course. And I only came up now just toknow what things you'd like with you out of the greenhouse. "

"Oh, nothing, Hopkins, thank you, " said Mrs Dale. 

"He told me to put up for you the best I could pick, and I means todo it;" and Hopkins, as he spoke, indicated by a motion of his headthat he was making reference to the squire. 

"We shan't have any place for them, " said Lily. 

"I must send a few, miss, just to cheer you up a bit. I fear you'llbe very dolesome there. And the doctor, --he ain't got what you cancall a regular garden, but there is a bit of a place behind. "

"But we wouldn't rob the dear old place, " said Lily. 

"For the matter of that what does it signify? T' squire'll be thatwretched he'll turn sheep in here to destroy the place, or he'll havethe garden ploughed. You see if he don't. As for the place, the placeis clean done for, if you leave it. You don't suppose he'll go andlet the Small House to strangers. T' squire ain't one of that sortany ways. "

"Ah me!" exclaimed Mrs Dale, as soon as Hopkins had taken himselfoff. 

"What is it, mamma? He's a dear old man, but surely what he sayscannot make you really unhappy. "

"It is so hard to know what one ought to do. I did not mean to beselfish, but it seems to me as though I were doing the most selfishthing in the world. "

"Nay, mamma; it has been anything but selfish. Besides, it is we thathave done it; not you. "

"Do you know, Lily, that I also have that feeling as to breakingup one's old mode of life of which Hopkins spoke. I thought that Ishould be glad to escape from this place, but now that the time hascome I dread it. "

"Do you mean that you repent?"

Mrs Dale did not answer her daughter at once, fearing to commitherself by words which could not be retracted. But at last she said, "Yes, Lily; I think I do repent. I think that it has not been welldone. "

"Then let it be undone, " said Lily. 

The dinner-party at Guestwick Manor on that day was not very bright, and yet the earl had done all in his power to make his guests happy. But gaiety did not come naturally to his house, which, as will havebeen seen, was an abode very unlike in its nature to that of theother earl at Courcy Castle. Lady de Courcy at any rate understoodhow to receive and entertain a houseful of people, though thepractice of doing so might give rise to difficult questions in theprivacy of her domestic relations. Lady Julia did not understand it;but then Lady Julia was never called upon to answer for the expenseof extra servants, nor was she asked about twice a week who the ----was to pay the wine-merchant's bill? As regards Lord De Guest andthe Lady Julia themselves, I think they had the best of it; but I ambound to admit, with reference to chance guests, that the house wasdull. The people who were now gathered at the earl's table couldhardly have been expected to be very sprightly when in company witheach other. The squire was not a man much given to general society, and was unused to amuse a table full of people. On the presentoccasion he sat next to Lady Julia, and from time to time muttereda few words to her about the state of the country. Mrs Eames wasterribly afraid of everybody there, and especially of the earl, nextto whom she sat, and whom she continually called "my lord, " showingby her voice as she did so that she was almost alarmed by the soundof her own voice. Mr and Mrs Boyce were there, the parson sitting onthe other side of Lady Julia, and the parson's wife on the other sideof the earl. Mrs Boyce was very studious to show that she was quiteat home, and talked perhaps more than any one else; but in doing soshe bored the earl most exquisitely, so that he told John Eames thenext morning that she was worse than the bull. The parson ate hisdinner, but said little or nothing between the two graces. He wasa heavy, sensible, slow man, who knew himself and his own powers. "Uncommon good stewed beef, " he said, as he went home; "why can't wehave our beef stewed like that?" "Because we don't pay our cook sixtypounds a year, " said Mrs Boyce. "A woman with sixteen pounds can stewbeef as well as a woman with sixty, " said he; "she only wants lookingafter. " The earl himself was possessed of a sort of gaiety. There wasabout him a lightness of spirit which often made him an agreeablecompanion to one single person. John Eames conceived him to be themost sprightly old man of his day, --an old man with the fun andfrolic almost of a boy. But this spirit, though it would show itselfbefore John Eames, was not up to the entertainment of John Eames'smother and sister, together with the squire, the parson, and theparson's wife of Allington. So that the earl was over-weighted anddid not shine on this occasion at his own dinner-table. Dr Crofts, who had also been invited, and who had secured the place which wasnow peculiarly his own, next to Bell Dale, was no doubt happy enough;as, let us hope, was the young lady also; but they added very littleto the general hilarity of the company. John Eames was seated betweenhis own sister and the parson, and did not at all enjoy his position. He had a full view of the doctor's felicity, as the happy pair satopposite to him, and conceived himself to be hardly treated by Lily'sabsence. The party was certainly very dull, as were all such dinnersat Guestwick Manor. There are houses, which, in their everydaycourse, are not conducted by any means in a sad or unsatisfactorymanner, --in which life, as a rule, runs along merrily enough; butwhich cannot give a dinner-party; or, I might rather say, shouldnever allow themselves to be allured into the attempt. The owners ofsuch houses are generally themselves quite aware of the fact, anddread the dinner which they resolved to give quite as much as itis dreaded by their friends. They know that they prepare for theirguests an evening of misery, and for themselves certain long hours ofpurgatory which are hardly to be endured. But they will do it. Whythat long table, and all those supernumerary glasses and knives andforks, if they are never to be used? That argument produces all thismisery; that and others cognate to it. On the present occasion, nodoubt, there were excuses to be made. The squire and his niece hadbeen invited on special cause, and their presence would have beenwell enough. The doctor added in would have done no harm. It wasgood-natured, too, that invitation given to Mrs Eames and herdaughter. The error lay in the parson and his wife. There was nonecessity for their being there, nor had they any ground on whichto stand, except the party-giving ground. Mr and Mrs Boyce made thedinner-party, and destroyed the social circle. Lady Julia knew thatshe had been wrong as soon as she had sent out the note. 

Nothing was said on that evening which has any bearing on our story. Nothing, indeed, was said which had any bearing on anything. Theearl's professed object had been to bring the squire and young Eamestogether; but people are never brought together on such melancholyoccasions. Though they sip their port in close contiguity, they arepoles asunder in their minds and feelings. When the Guestwick flycame for Mrs Eames, and the parson's pony-phaeton came for him andMrs Boyce, a great relief was felt; but the misery of those who wereleft had gone too far to allow of any reaction on that evening. Thesquire yawned, and the earl yawned, and then there was an end of itfor that night. 

CHAPTER LIV

The Second Visit to the Guestwick Bridge

Bell had declared that her sister would be very happy to see JohnEames if he would go over to Allington, and he had replied that ofcourse he would go there. So much having been, as it were, settled, he was able to speak of his visit as a matter of course at thebreakfast-table, on the morning after the earl's dinner-party. "I must get you to come round with me, Dale, and see what I amdoing to the land, " the earl said. And then he proposed to ordersaddle-horses. But the squire preferred walking, and in this waythey were disposed of soon after breakfast. 

John had it in his mind to get Bell to himself for half an hour, andhold a conference with her; but it either happened that Lady Juliawas too keen in her duties as a hostess, or else, as was morepossible, Bell avoided the meeting. No opportunity for such aninterview offered itself, though he hung about the drawing-room allthe morning. "You had better wait for luncheon, now, " Lady Julia saidto him about twelve. But this he declined; and taking himself awayhid himself about the place for the next hour and a half. During thistime he considered much whether it would be better for him to ride orwalk. If she should give him any hope, he could ride back triumphantas a field-marshal. Then the horse would be delightful to him. Butif she should give him no hope, --if it should be his destiny to berejected utterly on that morning, --then the horse would be terriblyin the way of his sorrow. Under such circumstances what could he dobut roam wide across the fields, resting when he might choose torest, and running when it might suit him to run. "And she is not likeother girls, " he thought to himself. "She won't care for my bootsbeing dirty. " So at last he elected to walk. 

"Stand up to her boldly, man, " the earl had said to him. "By George, what is there to be afraid of? It's my belief they'll give most tothose who ask for most. There's nothing sets 'em against a man likebeing sheepish. " How the earl knew so much, seeing that he had nothimself given signs of any success in that walk of life, I am notprepared to say. But Eames took his advice as being in itself good, and resolved to act upon it. "Not that any resolution will be of anyuse, " he said to himself, as he walked along. "When the moment comesI know that I shall tremble before her, and I know that she'll seeit; but I don't think it will make any difference in her. "

He had last seen her on the lawn behind the Small House, just at thattime when her passion for Crosbie was at the strongest. Eames hadgone thither impelled by a foolish desire to declare to her hishopeless love, and she had answered him by telling him that she lovedMr Crosbie better than all the world besides. Of course she had doneso, at that time; but, nevertheless, her manner of telling him hadseemed to him to be cruel. And he also had been cruel. He had toldher that he hated Crosbie, --calling him "that man, " and assuring herthat no earthly consideration should induce him to go into "thatman's house. " Then he had walked away moodily wishing him all mannerof evil. Was it not singular that all the evil things which he, inhis mind, had meditated for the man, had fallen upon him. Crosbiehad lost his love! He had so proved himself to be a villain that hisname might not be so much as mentioned! He had been ignominiouslythrashed! But what good would all this be if his image were stilldear to Lily's heart? "I told her that I loved her then, " he said tohimself, "though I had no right to do so. At any rate I have a rightto tell her now. "

When he reached Allington he did not go in through the village and upto the front of the Small House by the cross street, but turned bythe church gate and passed over the squire's terrace, and by the endof the Great House through the garden. Here he encountered Hopkins. "Why, if that b'aint Mr Eames!" said the gardener. "Mr John, may Imake so bold!" and Hopkins held out a very dirty hand, which Eames ofcourse took, unconscious of the cause of this new affection. 

"I'm just going to call at the Small House, and I thought I'd comethis way. "

"To be sure; this way, or that way, or any way, who's so welcome, MrJohn? I envies you; I envies you more than I envies any man. If Icould a got him by the scuff of the neck, I'd a treated him jist likeany wermin;--I would, indeed! He was wermin! I ollays said it. Ihated him ollays! I did indeed, Mr John, from the first moment whenhe used to be nigging away at them foutry balls, knocking them inamong the rhododendrons, as though there weren't no flower blossomsfor next year. He never looked at one as though one were a Christian;did he, Mr John?"

"I wasn't very fond of him myself, Hopkins. "

"Of course you weren't very fond of him. Who was? Only she, pooryoung lady. She'll be better now, Mr John, a deal better. He wasn't awholesome lover, --not like you are. Tell me, Mr John, did you give ithim well when you got him? I heard you did;--two black eyes, and allhis face one mash of gore!" And Hopkins, who was by no means a youngman, stiffly put himself into a fighting attitude. 

Eames passed on over the little bridge, which seemed to be in a stateof fast decay, unattended to by any friendly carpenter, now that thedays of its use were so nearly at an end; and on into the garden, lingering on the spot where he had last said farewell to Lily. Helooked about as though he expected still to find her there; but therewas no one to be seen in the garden, and no sound to be heard. Asevery step brought him nearer to her whom he was seeking, he becamemore and more conscious of the hopelessness of his errand. Him shehad never loved, and why should he venture to hope that she wouldlove him now? He would have turned back had he not been aware thathis promise to others required that he should persevere. He had saidthat he would do this thing, and he would be as good as his word. Buthe hardly ventured to hope that he might be successful. In this frameof mind he slowly made his way up across the lawn. 

"My dear, there is John Eames, " said Mrs Dale, who had first seen himfrom the parlour window. 

"Don't go, mamma. "

"I don't know; perhaps it will be better that I should. "

"No, mamma, no; what good can it do? It can do no good. I like him aswell as I can like any one. I love him dearly. But it can do no good. Let him come in here, and be very kind to him; but do not go away andleave us. Of course I knew he would come, and I shall be very glad tosee him. "

Then Mrs Dale went round to the other room, and admitted hervisitor through the window of the drawing-room. "We are in terribleconfusion, John, are we not?

"And so you are really going to live in Guestwick?"

"Well, it looks like it, does it not? But, to tell you asecret, --only it must be a secret; you must not mention it atGuestwick Manor; even Bell does not know;--we have half made up ourminds to unpack all our things and stay where we are. "

Eames was so intent on his own purpose, and so fully occupied withthe difficulty of the task before him, that he could hardly receiveMrs Dale's tidings with all the interest which they deserved. "Unpackthem all again, " he said. "That will be very troublesome. Is Lilywith you, Mrs Dale?"

"Yes, she is in the parlour. Come and see her. " So he followed MrsDale through the hall, and found himself in the presence of his love. 

"How do you do, John?" "How do you do, Lily?" We all know the wayin which such meetings are commenced. Each longed to be tender andaffectionate to the other, --each in a different way; but neither knewhow to throw any tenderness into this first greeting. "So you'restaying at the Manor House, " said Lily. 

"Yes; I'm staying there. Your uncle and Bell came yesterdayafternoon. "

"Have you heard about Bell?" said Mrs Dale. 

"Oh, yes; Mary told me. I'm so glad of it. I always liked Dr Croftsvery much. I have not congratulated her, because I didn't knowwhether it was a secret. But Crofts was there last night, and if itis a secret he didn't seem to be very careful about keeping it. "

"It is no secret, " said Mrs Dale. "I don't know that I am fondof such secrets. " But as she said this, she thought of Crosbie'sengagement, which had been told to every one, and of itsconsequences. 

"Is it to be soon?" he asked. 

"Well, yes; we think so. Of course nothing is settled. "

"It was such fun, " said Lily. "James, who took, at any rate, a yearor two to make his proposal, wanted to be married the next dayafterwards. "

"No, Lily; not quite that. "

"Well, mamma, it was very nearly that. He thought it could all bedone this week. It has made us so happy, John! I don't know anybody Ishould so much like for a brother. I'm very glad you like him;--veryglad. I hope you'll be friends always. " There was some littletenderness in this--as John acknowledged to himself. 

"I'm sure we shall, --if he likes it. That is, if I ever happen to seehim. I'll do anything for him I can if he ever comes up to London. Wouldn't it be a good thing, Mrs Dale, if he settled himself inLondon?"

"No, John; it would be a very bad thing. Why should he wish to rob meof my daughter?"

Mrs Dale was speaking of her eldest daughter; but the very allusionto any such robbery covered John Eames's face with a blush, made himhot up to the roots of his hair, and for the moment silenced him. 

"You think he would have a better career in London?" said Lily, speaking under the influence of her superior presence of mind. 

She had certainly shown defective judgment in desiring her mother notto leave them alone; and of this Mrs Dale soon felt herself aware. The thing had to be done, and no little precautionary measure, suchas this of Mrs Dale's enforced presence, would prevent it. Of thisMrs Dale was well aware; and she felt, moreover, that John wasentitled to an opportunity of pleading his own cause. It might bethat such opportunity would avail him nothing, but not the lessshould he have it of right, seeing that he desired it. But yet MrsDale did not dare to get up and leave the room. Lily had asked hernot to do so, and at the present period of their lives all Lily'srequests were sacred. They continued for some time to talk of Croftsand his marriage; and when that subject was finished, they discussedtheir own probable, --or, as it seemed now, improbable, --removal toGuestwick. "It's going too far, mamma, " said Lily, "to say that youthink we shall not go. It was only last night that you suggested it. The truth is, John, that Hopkins came in and discoursed with themost wonderful eloquence. Nobody dared to oppose Hopkins. He made usalmost cry; he was so pathetic. "

"He has just been talking to me, too, " said John, "as I came throughthe squire's garden. "

"And what has he been saying to you?" said Mrs Dale. 

"Oh, I don't know; not much. " John, however, remembered well, at thismoment, all that the gardener had said to him. Did she know of thatencounter between him and Crosbie? and if she did know of it, in whatlight did she regard it?

They had sat thus for an hour together, and Eames was not as yet aninch nearer to his object. He had sworn to himself that he would notleave the Small House without asking Lily to be his wife. It seemedto him as though he would be guilty of falsehood towards the earl ifhe did so. Lord De Guest had opened his house to him, and had askedall the Dales there, and had offered himself up as a sacrifice at thecruel shrine of a serious dinner-party, to say nothing of that easierand lighter sacrifice which he had made in a pecuniary point of view, in order that this thing might be done. Under such circumstancesEames was too honest a man not to do it, let the difficulties in hisway be what they might. 

He had sat there for an hour, and Mrs Dale still remained with herdaughter. Should he get up boldly and ask Lily to put on her bonnetand come out into the garden? As the thought struck him, he rose andgrasped at his hat. "I am going to walk back to Guestwick, " said he. 

"It was very good of you to come so far to see us. "

"I was always fond of walking, " he said. "The earl wanted me to ride, but I prefer being on foot when I know the country, as I do here. "

"Have a glass of wine before you go. "

"Oh, dear, no. I think I'll go back through the squire's fields, andout on the road at the white gate. The path is quite dry now. "

"I dare say it is, " said Mrs Dale. 

"Lily, I wonder whether you would come as far as that with me. "As the request was made Mrs Dale looked at her daughter almostbeseechingly. "Do, pray do, " said he; "it is a beautiful day forwalking. "

The path proposed lay right across the field into which Lily hadtaken Crosbie when she made her offer to let him off from hisengagement. Could it be possible that she should ever walk thereagain with another lover? "No, John, " she said; "not to-day, I think. I am almost tired, and I had rather not go out. "

"It would do you good, " said Mrs Dale. 

"I don't want to be done good to, mamma. Besides, I should have tocome back by myself. "

"I'll come back with you, " said Johnny. 

"Oh, yes; and then I should have to go again with you. But, John, really I don't wish to walk to-day. " Whereupon John Eames again putdown his hat. 

"Lily, " said he; and then he stopped. Mrs Dale walked away to thewindow, turning her back upon her daughter and visitor. "Lily, I havecome over here on purpose to speak to you. Indeed, I have come downfrom London only that I might see you. "

"Have you, John?"

"Yes, I have. You know well all that I have got to tell you. I lovedyou before he ever saw you; and now that he has gone, I love youbetter than I ever did. Dear Lily!" and he put out his hand to her. 

"No, John; no, " she answered. 

"Must it be always no?"

"Always no to that. How can it be otherwise? You would not have memarry you while I love another!"

"But he is gone. He has taken another wife. "

"I cannot change myself because he is changed. If you are kind to meyou will let that be enough. "

"But you are so unkind to me!"

"No, no; oh, I would wish to be so kind to you! John, here; take myhand. It is the hand of a friend who loves you, and will always loveyou. Dear John, I will do anything, --everything for you but that. "

"There is only one thing, " said he, still holding her by the hand, but with his face turned from her. 

"Nay; do not say so. Are you worse off than I am? I could not havethat one thing, and I was nearer to my heart's longings than you haveever been. I cannot have that one thing; but I know that there areother things, and I will not allow myself to be broken-hearted. "

"You are stronger than I am, " he said. 

"Not stronger, but more certain. Make yourself as sure as I am, andyou, too, will be strong. Is it not so, mamma?"

"I wish it could be otherwise;--I wish it could be otherwise! If youcan give him any hope--"

"Mamma!"

"Tell me that I may come again, --in a year, " he pleaded. 

"I cannot tell you so. You may not come again, --not in this way. Doyou remember what I told you before, in the garden; that I loved himbetter than all the world besides? It is still the same. I still lovehim better than all the world. How, then, can I give you any hope?"

"But it will not be so for ever, Lily. "

"For ever! Why should he not be mine as well as hers when that forever comes? John, if you understand what it is to love, you will saynothing more of it. I have spoken to you more openly about this thanI have ever done to anybody, even to mamma, because I have wished tomake you understand my feelings. I should be disgraced in my own eyesif I admitted the love of another man, after--after--. It is to mealmost as though I had married him. I am not blaming him, remember. These things are different with a man. "

She had not dropped his hand, and as she made her last speech wassitting in her old chair with her eyes fixed upon the ground. Shespoke in a low voice, slowly, almost with difficulty; but still thewords came very clearly, with a clear, distinct voice which causedthem to be remembered with accuracy, both by Eames and Mrs Dale. Tohim it seemed to be impossible that he should continue his suit aftersuch a declaration. To Mrs Dale they were terrible words, speaking ofa perpetual widowhood, and telling of an amount of suffering greatereven than that which she had anticipated. It was true that Lily hadnever said so much to her as she had now said to John Eames, or hadattempted to make so clear an exposition of her own feelings. "Ishould be disgraced in my own eyes if I admitted the love of anotherman!" They were terrible words, but very easy to be understood. MrsDale had felt, from the first, that Eames was coming too soon, thatthe earl and the squire together were making an effort to cure thewound too quickly after its infliction; that time should have beengiven to her girl to recover. But now the attempt had been made, andwords had been forced from Lily's lips, the speaking of which wouldnever be forgotten by herself. 

"I knew that it would be so, " said John. 

"Ah, yes; you know it, because your heart understands my heart. Andyou will not be angry with me, and say naughty, cruel words, as youdid once before. We will think of each other, John, and pray for eachother; and will always love one another. When we do meet let us beglad to see each other. No other friend shall ever be dearer to methan you are. You are so true and honest! When you marry I will tellyour wife what an infinite blessing God has given her. "

"You shall never do that. "

"Yes, I will. I understand what you mean; but yet I will. "

"Good-bye, Mrs Dale, " he said. 

"Good-bye, John. If it could have been otherwise with her, you shouldhave had all my best wishes in the matter. I would have loved youdearly as my son; and I will love you now. " Then she put up her lipsand kissed his face. 

"And so will I love you, " said Lily, giving him her hand again. Helooked longingly into her face as though he had thought it possiblethat she also might kiss him: then he pressed her hand to his lips, and without speaking any further farewell, took up his hat and leftthe room. 

"Poor fellow!" said Mrs Dale. 

"They should not have let him come, " said Lily. "But they don'tunderstand. They think that I have lost a toy, and they mean to begood-natured, and to give me another. " Very shortly after that Lilywent away by herself, and sat alone for hours; and when she joinedher mother again at tea-time, nothing further was said of JohnEames's visit. 

He made his way out by the front door, and through the churchyard, and in this way on to the field through which he had asked Lily towalk with him. He hardly began to think of what had passed till hehad left the squire's house behind him. As he made his way throughthe tombstones he paused and read one, as though it interested him. He stood a moment under the tower looking up at the clock, and thenpulled out his own watch, as though to verify the one by the other. He made, unconsciously, a struggle to drive away from his thoughtsthe facts of the late scene, and for some five or ten minutes hesucceeded. He said to himself a word or two about Sir Raffle and hisletters, and laughed inwardly as he remembered the figure of Raffertybringing in the knight's shoes. He had gone some half mile upon hisway before he ventured to stand still and tell himself that he hadfailed in the great object of his life. 

Yes; he had failed: and he acknowledged to himself, with bitterreproaches, that he had failed, now and for ever. He told himselfthat he had obtruded upon her in her sorrow with an unmannerly love, and rebuked himself as having been not only foolish but ungenerous. His friend the earl had been wont, in his waggish way, to call himthe conquering hero, and had so talked him out of his common senseas to have made him almost think that he would be successful in hissuit. Now, as he told himself that any such success must have beenimpossible, he almost hated the earl for having brought him to thiscondition. A conquering hero, indeed! How should he manage to sneakback among them all at the Manor House, crestfallen and abject in hismisery? Everybody knew the errand on which he had gone, and everybodymust know of his failure. How could he have been such a fool as toundertake such a task under the eyes of so many lookers-on? Was itnot the case that he had so fondly expected success, as to think onlyof his triumph in returning, and not of his more probable disgrace?He had allowed others to make a fool of him, and had so made a foolof himself that now all hope and happiness were over for him. Howcould he escape at once out of the country, back to London? How couldhe get away without saying a word further to any one? That was thethought that at first occupied his mind. 

He crossed the road at the end of the squire's property, where theparish of Allington divides itself from that of Abbot's Guest inwhich the earl's house stands, and made his way back along the copsewhich skirted the field in which they had encountered the bull, intothe high woods which were at the back of the park. Ah, yes; it hadbeen well for him that he had not come out on horseback. That ridehome along the high road and up to the Manor House stables would, under his present circumstances, have been almost impossible to him. As it was, he did not think it possible that he should return tohis place in the earl's house. How could he pretend to maintain hisordinary demeanour under the eyes of those two old men? It would bebetter for him to get home to his mother, --to send a message fromthence to the Manor, and then to escape back to London. So thinking, but with no resolution made, he went on through the woods, and downfrom the hill back towards the town till he again came to the littlebridge over the brook. There he stopped and stood a while with hisbroad hand spread over the letters which he had cut in those earlydays, so as to hide them from his sight. "What an ass I havebeen, --always and ever!" he said to himself. 

It was not only of his late disappointment that he was thinking, butof his whole past life. He was conscious of his hobbledehoyhood, --ofthat backwardness on his part in assuming manhood which had renderedhim incapable of making himself acceptable to Lily before she hadfallen into the clutches of Crosbie. As he thought of this hedeclared to himself that if he could meet Crosbie again he wouldagain thrash him, --that he would so belabour him as to send him outof the world, if such sending might possibly be done by fair beating, regardless whether he himself might be called upon to follow him. Was it not hard that for the two of them, --for Lily and for himalso, --there should be such punishment because of the insincerity ofthat man? When he had thus stood upon the bridge for some quarter ofan hour, he took out his knife, and, with deep rough gashes in thewood, cut out Lily's name from the rail. 

He had hardly finished, and was still looking at the chips as theywere being carried away by the stream, when a gentle step came closeup to him, and turning round, he saw that Lady Julia was on thebridge. She was close to him, and had already seen his handiwork. "Has she offended you, John?" she said. 

"Oh, Lady Julia!"

"Has she offended you?"

"She has refused me, and it is all over. "

"It may be that she has refused you, and that yet it need not be allover. I am sorry that you have cut out the name. John. Do you mean tocut it out from your heart?"

"Never. I would if I could, but I never shall. "

"Keep to it as to a great treasure. It will be a joy to you in afteryears, and not a sorrow. To have loved truly, even though you shallhave loved in vain, will be a consolation when you are as old as Iam. It is something to have had a heart. "

"I don't know. I wish that I had none. "

"And, John;--I can understand her feeling now; and, indeed, I thoughtall through that you were asking her too soon; but the time may yetcome when she will think better of your wishes. "

"No, no; never. I begin to know her now. "

"If you can be constant in your love you may win her yet. Rememberhow young she is; and how young you both are. Come again in twoyears' time, and then, when you have won her, you shall tell me thatI have been a good old woman to you both. "

"I shall never win her, Lady Julia. " As he spoke these last wordsthe tears were running down his cheeks, and he was weeping openly inpresence of his companion. It was well for him that she had come uponhim in his sorrow. When he once knew that she had seen his tears, hecould pour out to her the whole story of his grief; and as he did soshe led him back quietly to the house. 

CHAPTER LV

Not Very Fie Fie after All

It will perhaps be remembered that terrible things had been foretoldas about to happen between the Hartletop and Omnium families. LadyDumbello had smiled whenever Mr Plantagenet Palliser had spoken toher. Mr Palliser had confessed to himself that politics were notenough for him, and that Love was necessary to make up the fullcomplement of his happiness. Lord Dumbello had frowned latterly whenhis eyes fell on the tall figure of the duke's heir; and the dukehimself, --that potentate, generally so mighty in his silence, --theduke himself had spoken. Lady de Courcy and Lady Clandidlem were, both of them, absolutely certain that the thing had been fullyarranged. I am, therefore, perfectly justified in stating thatthe world was talking about the loves, --the illicit loves, --of MrPalliser and Lady Dumbello. 

And the talking of the world found its way down to that respectablecountry parsonage in which Lady Dumbello had been born, and fromwhich she had been taken away to those noble halls which she nowgraced by her presence. The talking of the world was heard atPlumstead Episcopi, where still lived Archdeacon Grantly, the lady'sfather; and was heard also at the deanery of Barchester, where livedthe lady's aunt and grandfather. By whose ill-mannered tongue therumour was spread in these ecclesiastical regions it boots not now totell. But it may be remembered that Courcy Castle was not far fromBarchester, and that Lady de Courcy was not given to hide her lightsunder a bushel. 

It was a terrible rumour. To what mother must not such a rumourrespecting her daughter be very terrible? In no mother's ears couldit have sounded more frightfully than it did in those of Mrs Grantly. Lady Dumbello, the daughter, might be altogether worldly; but MrsGrantly had never been more than half worldly. In one moiety of hercharacter, her habits, and her desires, she had been wedded to thingsgood in themselves, --to religion, to charity, and to honest-hearteduprightness. It is true that the circumstances of her life hadinduced her to serve both God and Mammon, and that, therefore, shehad gloried greatly in the marriage of her daughter with the heirof a marquis. She had revelled in the aristocratic elevation of herchild, though she continued to dispense books and catechisms withher own hands to the children of the labourers of Plumstead Episcopi. When Griselda first became Lady Dumbello the mother feared somewhatlest her child should find herself unequal to the exigencies of hernew position. But the child had proved herself more than equal tothem, and had mounted up to a dizzy height of success, which broughtto the mother great glory and great fear also. She delighted to thinkthat her Griselda was great even among the daughters of marquises;but she trembled as she reflected how deadly would be the fall fromsuch a height--should there ever be a fall!

But she had never dreamed of such a fall as this! She would havesaid, --indeed, she often had said, --to the archdeacon that Griselda'sreligious principles were too firmly fixed to be moved by outwardworldly matters; signifying, it may be, her conviction that thatteaching of Plumstead Episcopi had so fastened her daughter into agroove, that all the future teaching of Hartlebury would not sufficeto undo the fastenings. When she had thus boasted, no such idea asthat of her daughter running from her husband's house had ever comeupon her; but she had alluded to vices of a nature kindred to thatvice, --to vices into which other aristocratic ladies sometimes fell, who had been less firmly grooved; and her boastings had amounted tothis, --that she herself had so successfully served God and Mammontogether, that her child might go forth and enjoy all worldly thingswithout risk of damage to things heavenly. Then came upon her thisrumour. The archdeacon told her in a hoarse whisper that he had beenrecommended to look to it, that it was current through the world thatGriselda was about to leave her husband. 

"Nothing on earth shall make me believe it, " said Mrs Grantly. Butshe sat alone in her drawing-room afterwards and trembled. Then cameher sister, Mrs Arabin, the dean's wife, over to the parsonage, andin half-hidden words told the same story. She had heard it from MrsProudie, the bishop's wife. "That woman is as false as the father offalsehoods, " said Mrs Grantly. But she trembled the more; and as sheprepared her parish work, could think of nothing but her child. Whatwould be all her life to come, what would have been all that waspast of her life, if this thing should happen to her? She would notbelieve it; but yet she trembled the more as she thought of herdaughter's exaltation, and remembered that such things had been donein that world to which Griselda now belonged. Ah! would it not havebeen better for them if they had not raised their heads so high! Andshe walked out alone among the tombs of the neighbouring churchyard, and stood over the grave in which had been laid the body of her otherdaughter. Could be it that the fate of that one had been the happier. 

Very few words were spoken on the subject between her and thearchdeacon, and yet it seemed agreed among them that something shouldbe done. He went up to London, and saw his daughter, --not daring, however, to mention such a subject. Lord Dumbello was cross with him, and very uncommunicative. Indeed both the archdeacon and Mrs Grantlyhad found that their daughter's house was not comfortable to them, and as they were sufficiently proud among their own class they hadnot cared to press themselves on the hospitality of their son-in-law. But he had been able to perceive that all was not right in the housein Carlton Gardens. Lord Dumbello was not gracious with his wife, andthere was something in the silence, rather than in the speech, ofmen, which seemed to justify the report which had reached him. 

"He is there oftener than he should be, " said the archdeacon. "And Iam sure of this, at least, that Dumbello does not like it. "

"I will write to her, " said Mrs Grantly at last. "I am still hermother;--I will write to her. It may be that she does not know whatpeople say of her. "

And Mrs Grantly did write. 

 PLUMSTEAD, April, 186--. 

 DEAREST GRISELDA, It seems sometimes that you have been moved so far away from me that I have hardly a right to concern myself more in the affairs of your daily life, and I know that it is impossible that you should refer to me for advice or sympathy, as you would have done had you married some gentleman of our own standing. But I am quite sure that my child does not forget her mother, or fail to look back upon her mother's love; and that she will allow me to speak to her if she be in trouble, as I would to any other child whom I had loved and cherished. I pray God that I may be wrong in supposing that such trouble is near you. If I am so you will forgive me my solicitude. 

 Rumours have reached us from more than one quarter that--oh! Griselda, I hardly know in what words to conceal and yet to declare that which I have to write. They say that you are intimate with Mr Palliser, the nephew of the duke, and that your husband is much offended. Perhaps I had better tell you all, openly, cautioning you not to suppose that I have believed it. They say that it is thought that you are going to put yourself under Mr Palliser's protection. My dearest child, I think you can imagine with what agony I write these words, --with what terrible grief I must have been oppressed before I could have allowed myself to entertain the thoughts which have produced them. Such things are said openly in Barchester, and your father, who has been in town and has seen you, feels himself unable to tell me that my mind may be at rest. 

 I will not say to you a word as to the injury in a worldly point of view which would come to you from any rupture with your husband. I believe that you can see what would be the effect of so terrible a step quite as plainly as I can show it you. You would break the heart of your father, and send your mother to her grave;--but it is not even on that that I may most insist. It is this, --that you would offend your God by the worst sin that a woman can commit, and cast yourself into a depth of infamy in which repentance before God is almost impossible, and from which escape before man is not permitted. 

 I do not believe it, my dearest, dearest child, --my only living daughter; I do not believe what they have said to me. But as a mother I have not dared to leave the slander unnoticed. If you will write to me and say that it is not so, you will make me happy again, even though you should rebuke me for my suspicion. 

 Believe that at all times, and under all circumstances, I am still your loving mother, as I was in other days. 

 SUSAN GRANTLY. 

We will now go back to Mr Palliser as he sat in his chambers at theAlbany, thinking of his love. The duke had cautioned him, and theduke's agent had cautioned him; and he, in spite of his high feelingof independence, had almost been made to tremble. All his thousands ayear were in the balance, and perhaps everything on which dependedhis position before the world. But, nevertheless, though he didtremble, he resolved to persevere. Statistics were becoming dry tohim, and love was very sweet. Statistics, he thought, might be madeas enchanting as ever, if only they could be mingled with love. Themere idea of loving Lady Dumbello had seemed to give a salt to hislife of which he did not now know how to rob himself. It is true thathe had not as yet enjoyed many of the absolute blessings of love, seeing that his conversations with Lady Dumbello had never beenwarmer than those which have been repeated in these pages; but hisimagination had been at work; and now that Lady Dumbello was fullyestablished at her house in Carlton Gardens, he was determined todeclare his passion on the first convenient opportunity. It wassufficiently manifest to him that the world expected him to do so, and that the world was already a little disposed to find fault withthe slowness of his proceedings. 

He had been once at Carlton Gardens since the season had commenced, and the lady had favoured him with her sweetest smile. But he hadonly been half a minute alone with her, and during that half-minutehad only time to remark that he supposed she would now remain inLondon for the season. 

"Oh, yes, " she had answered, "we shall not leave till July. "Nor could he leave till July, because of the exigencies of hisstatistics. He therefore had before him two, if not three, clearmonths in which to manoeuvre, to declare his purposes, and preparefor the future events of his life. As he resolved on a certainmorning that he would say his first tender word to Lady Dumbello thatvery night, in the drawing-room of Lady de Courcy, where he knew thathe should meet her, a letter came to him by the post. He well knewthe hand and the intimation which it would contain. It was from theduke's agent, Mr Fothergill, and informed him that a certain sum ofmoney had been placed to his credit at his banker's. But the letterwent further, and informed him also that the duke had given his agentto understand that special instructions would be necessary beforethe next quarterly payment could be made. Mr Fothergill said nothingfurther, but Mr Palliser understood it all. He felt his blood runcold round his heart; but, nevertheless, he determined that he wouldnot break his word to Lady de Courcy that night. 

And Lady Dumbello received her letter also on the same morning. Shewas being dressed as she read it, and the maidens who attended herfound no cause to suspect that anything in the letter had excited herladyship. Her ladyship was not often excited, though she was vigilantin exacting from them their utmost cares. She read her letter, however, very carefully, and as she sat beneath the toilet implementsof her maidens, thought deeply of the tidings which had been broughtto her. She was angry with no one;--she was thankful to no one. Shefelt no special love for any person concerned in the matter. Herheart did not say, "Oh, my lord and husband!" or "Oh, my lover!" or"Oh, my mother, the friend of my childhood!" But she became awarethat matter for thought had been brought before her, and she didthink. "Send my love to Lord Dumbello, " she said, when the operationswere nearly completed, "and tell him that I shall be so glad to seehim if he will come to me while I am at breakfast. "

"Yes, my lady. " And then the message came back: "His lordship wouldbe with her ladyship certainly. "

"Gustavus, " she said, as soon as she had seated herself discreetly inher chair, "I have had a letter from my mother, which you had betterread;" and she handed to him the document. "I do not know what Ihave done to deserve such suspicions from her; but she lives in thecountry, and has probably been deceived by ill-natured people. At anyrate you must read it, and tell me what I should do. "

We may predicate from this that Mr Palliser's chance of being able toshipwreck himself upon that rock was but small, and that he would, inspite of himself, be saved from his uncle's anger. Lord Dumbello tookthe letter and read it very slowly, standing, as he did so, withhis back to the fire. He read it very slowly, and his wife, thoughshe never turned her face directly upon his, could perceive that hebecame very red, that he was fluttered and put beyond himself, andthat his answer was not ready. She was well aware that his conductto her during the last three months had been much altered from hisformer usages; that he had been rougher with her in his speech whenalone, and less courteous in his attention when in society; but shehad made no complaint or spoken a word to show him that she hadmarked the change. She had known, moreover, the cause of his alteredmanner, and having considered much, had resolved that she would liveit down. She had declared to herself that she had done no deed andspoken no word that justified suspicion, and therefore she would makeno change in her ways, or show herself to be conscious that she wassuspected. But now, --having her mother's letter in her hand, --shecould bring him to an explanation without making him aware thatshe had ever thought that he had been jealous of her. To her, hermother's letter was a great assistance. It justified a scene likethis, and enabled her to fight her battle after her own fashion. Asfor eloping with any Mr Palliser, and giving up the position whichshe had won;--no, indeed! She had been fastened in her groovestoo well for that! Her mother, in entertaining any fear on such asubject, had shown herself to be ignorant of the solidity of herdaughter's character. 

"Well, Gustavus, " she said at last. "You must say what answer I shallmake, or whether I shall make any answer. " But he was not even yetready to instruct her. So he unfolded the letter and read it again, and she poured out for herself a cup of tea. 

"It's a very serious matter, " said he. 

"Yes, it is serious; I could not but think such a letter from mymother to be serious. Had it come from any one else I doubt whetherI should have troubled you; unless, indeed, it had been from any asnear to you as she is to me. As it is, you cannot but feel that I amright. "

"Right! Oh, yes, you are right, --quite right to tell me; you shouldtell me everything. D---- them!" But whom he meant to condemn he didnot explain. 

"I am above all things averse to cause you trouble, " she said. "Ihave seen some little things of late--"

"Has he ever said anything to you?"

"Who, --Mr Palliser? Never a word. "

"He has hinted at nothing of this kind?"

"Never a word. Had he done so, I must have made you understand thathe could not have been allowed again into my drawing-room. " Thenagain he read the letter, or pretended to do so. 

"Your mother means well, " he said. 

"Oh, yes, she means well. She has been foolish to believe thetittle-tattle that has reached her, --very foolish to oblige me togive you this annoyance. "

"Oh, as for that, I'm not annoyed. By Jove, no. Come, Griselda, letus have it all out; other people have said this, and I have beenunhappy. Now, you know it all. "

"Have I made you unhappy?"

"Well, no; not you. Don't be hard upon me when I tell you the wholetruth. Fools and brutes have whispered things that have vexed me. They may whisper till the devil fetches them, but they shan't annoyme again. Give me a kiss, my girl. " And he absolutely put out hisarms and embraced her. "Write a good-natured letter to your mother, and ask her to come up for a week in May. That'll be the best thing;and then she'll understand. By Jove, it's twelve o'clock. Goodbye. "

Lady Dumbello was well aware that she had triumphed, and that hermother's letter had been invaluable to her. But it had been used, andtherefore she did not read it again. She ate her breakfast in quietcomfort, looking over a milliner's French circular as she did so; andthen, when the time for such an operation had fully come, she got toher writing-table and answered her mother's letter. 

 DEAR MAMMA [she said], I thought it best to show your letter at once to Lord Dumbello. He said that people would be ill-natured, and seemed to think that the telling of such stories could not be helped. As regards you, he was not a bit angry, but said that you and papa had better come to us for a week about the end of next month. Do come. We are to have rather a large dinner-party on the 23rd. His Royal Highness is coming, and I think papa would like to meet him. Have you observed that those very high bonnets have all gone out: I never, liked them; and as I had got a hint from Paris, I have been doing my best to put them down. I do hope nothing will prevent your coming. 

 Your affectionate daughter, G. DUMBELLO. 

 CARLTON GARDENS, Wednesday. 

Mrs Grantly was aware, from the moment in which she received theletter, that she had wronged her daughter by her suspicions. It didnot occur to her to disbelieve a word that was said in the letter, or an inference that was implied. She had been wrong, and rejoicedthat it was so. But nevertheless there was that in the letter whichannoyed and irritated her, though she could not explain to herselfthe cause of her annoyance. She had thrown all her heart into thatwhich she had written, but in the words which her child had written, not a vestige of heart was to be found. In that reconciling of Godand Mammon which Mrs Grantly had carried on so successfully in theeducation of her daughter, the organ had not been required, and hadbecome withered, if not defunct, through want of use. 

"We will not go there, I think, " said Mrs Grantly, speaking to herhusband. 

"Oh dear, no; certainly not. If you want to go to town at all, I willtake rooms for you. And as for his Royal Highness--! I have a greatrespect for his Royal Highness, but I do not in the least desire tomeet him at Dumbello's table. "

And so that matter was settled, as regarded the inhabitants ofPlumstead Episcopi. 

And whither did Lord Dumbello betake himself when he left his wife'sroom in so great a hurry at twelve o'clock? Not to the Park, nor toTattersall's, nor to a committee-room of the House of Commons, noryet to the bow-window of his club. But he went straight to a greatjeweller's in Ludgate Hill, and there purchased a wonderful greennecklace, very rare and curious, heavy with green sparkling drops, with three rows of shining green stones embedded in chaste gold, --a necklace amounting almost to a jewelled cuirass in weight andextent. It had been in all the exhibitions, and was very costly andmagnificent. While Lady Dumbello was still dressing in the eveningthis was brought to her with her lord's love, as his token of renewedconfidence; and Lady Dumbello, as she counted the sparkles, triumphedinwardly, telling herself that she had played her cards well. 

But while she counted the sparkles produced by her fullreconciliation with her lord, poor Plantagenet Palliser was stilltrembling in his ignorance. If only he could have been allowed to seeMrs Grantly's letter, and the lady's answer, and the lord's present!But no such seeing was vouchsafed to him, and he was carried off inhis brougham to Lady de Courcy's house, twittering with expectantlove, and trembling with expectant ruin. To this conclusion he hadcome at any rate, that if anything was to be done, it should bedone now. He would speak a word of love, and prepare his future inaccordance with the acceptance it might receive. 

Lady de Courcy's rooms were very crowded when he arrived there. Itwas the first great crushing party of the season, and all the worldhad been collected into Portman Square. Lady de Courcy was smiling asthough her lord had no teeth, as though her eldest son's conditionwas quite happy, and all things were going well with the de Courcyinterests. Lady Margaretta was there behind her, bland without andbitter within; and Lady Rosina also, at some further distance, reconciled to this world's vanity and finery because there was tobe no dancing. And the married daughters of the house were therealso, striving to maintain their positions on the strength of theirundoubted birth, but subjected to some snubbing by the lownessof their absolute circumstances. Gazebee was there, happy in theabsolute fact of his connection with an earl, and blessed with theconsideration that was extended to him as an earl's son-in-law. AndCrosbie, also, was in the rooms, --was present there, though he hadsworn to himself that he would no longer dance attendance on thecountess, and that he would sever himself away from the wretchednessof the family. But if he gave up them and their ways, what else wouldthen be left to him? He had come, therefore, and now stood alone, sullen in a corner, telling himself that all was vanity. Yes; to thevain all will be vanity; and to the poor of heart all will be poor. 

Lady Dumbello was there in a small inner room, seated on a couch towhich she had been brought on her first arrival at the house, andon which she would remain till she departed. From time to time somevery noble or very elevated personage would come before her and saya word, and she would answer that elevated personage with anotherword; but nobody had attempted with her the task of conversation. Itwas understood that Lady Dumbello did not converse, --unless it wereoccasionally with Mr Palliser. 

She knew well that Mr Palliser was to meet her there. He had toldher expressly that he should do so, having inquired, with muchsolicitude, whether she intended to obey the invitation of thecountess. "I shall probably be there, " she had said, and now haddetermined that her mother's letter and her husband's conduct to hershould not cause her to break her word. Should Mr Palliser "forget"himself, she would know how to say a word to him as she had known howto say a word to her husband. Forget himself! She was very sure thatMr Palliser had been making up his mind to forget himself for somemonths past. 

He did come to her, and stood over her, looking unutterable things. His unutterable things, however, were so looked, that they did notabsolutely demand notice from the lady. He did not sigh like afurnace, nor open his eyes upon her as though there were two suns inthe firmament above her head, nor did he beat his breast or tear hishair. Mr Palliser had been brought up in a school which delights intranquillity, and never allows its pupils to commit themselves eitherto the sublime or to the ridiculous. He did look an unutterable thingor two; but he did it with so decorous an eye, that the lady, who wasmeasuring it all with great accuracy, could not, as yet, declare thatMr Palliser had "forgotten himself. "

There was room by her on the couch, and once or twice, at Hartlebury, he had ventured so to seat himself. On the present occasion, however, he could not do so without placing himself manifestly on her dress. She would have known how to fill a larger couch even than that, --asshe would have known, also, how to make room, --had it been her mindto do so. So he stood still over her, and she smiled at him. Sucha smile! It was cold as death, flattering no one, saying nothing, hideous in its unmeaning, unreal grace. Ah! how I hate the smileof a woman who smiles by rote! It made Mr Palliser feel veryuncomfortable, --but he did not analyse it, and persevered. 

"Lady Dumbello, " he said, and his voice was very low, "I have beenlooking forward to meeting you here. "

"Have you, Mr Palliser? Yes; I remember that you asked me whether Iwas coming. "

"I did. Hm--Lady Dumbello!" and he almost trenched upon the outsideverge of that schooling which had taught him to avoid both thesublime and the ridiculous. But he had not forgotten himself as yet, and so she smiled again. 

"Lady Dumbello, in this world in which we live, it is so hard to geta moment in which we can speak. " He had thought that she would moveher dress, but she did not. 

"Oh, I don't know, " she said; "one doesn't often want to say verymuch, I think. "

"Ah, no; not often, perhaps. But when one does want! How I dohate these crowded rooms!" Yet, when he had been at Hartlebury hehad resolved that the only ground for him would be the crowdeddrawing-room of some large London house. "I wonder whether you everdesire anything beyond them?"

"Oh, yes, " said she; "but I confess that I am fond of parties. "

Mr Palliser looked round and thought that he saw that he wasunobserved. He had made up his mind as to what he would do, and hewas determined to do it. He had in him none of that readiness whichenables some men to make love and carry off their Dulcineas at amoment's notice, but he had that pluck which would have made himselfdisgraceful in his own eyes if he omitted to do that as to the doingof which he had made a solemn resolution. He would have preferred todo it sitting, but, _faute de mieux_, seeing that a seat was deniedto him, he would do it standing. 

"Griselda, " he said, --and it must be admitted that his tone was notbad. The word sank softly into her ear, like small rain upon moss, and it sank into no other ear. "Griselda!"

"Mr Palliser!" said she;--and though she made no scene, though shemerely glanced upon him once, he could see that he was wrong. 

"May I not call you so?"

"Certainly not. Shall I ask you to see if my people are there?" Hestood a moment before her, hesitating. "My carriage, I mean. " As shegave the command she glanced at him again, and then he obeyed herorders. 

When he returned she had left her seat; but he heard her nameannounced on the stairs, and caught a glance of the back of her headas she made her way gracefully down through the crowd. He neverattempted to make love to her again, utterly disappointing the hopesof Lady de Courcy, Mrs Proudie, and Lady Clandidlem. 

As I would wish those who are interested in Mr Palliser's fortunesto know the ultimate result of this adventure, and as we shall nothave space to return to his affairs in this little history, I may, perhaps, be allowed to press somewhat forward, and tell what Fortunedid for him before the close of that London season. Everybody knowsthat in that spring Lady Glencora MacCluskie was brought out beforethe world, and it is equally well known that she, as the only childof the late Lord of the Isles, was the great heiress of the day. Itis true that the hereditary possession of Skye, Staffa, Mull, Arran, and Bute went, with the title, to the Marquis of Auldreekie, togetherwith the counties of Caithness and Ross-shire. But the property inFife, Aberdeen, Perth, and Kincardineshire, comprising the greaterpart of those counties, and the coal-mines in Lanark, as well as theenormous estate within the city of Glasgow, were unentailed, and wentto the Lady Glencora. She was a fair girl, with bright blue eyes andshort wavy flaxen hair, very soft to the eye. The Lady Glencora wassmall in stature, and her happy round face lacked, perhaps, thehighest grace of female beauty. But there was ever a smile upon it, at which it was very pleasant to look; and the intense interest withwhich she would dance, and talk, and follow up every amusement thatwas offered her, was very charming. The horse she rode was thedearest love--oh! she loved him so dearly! And she had a littledog that was almost as dear as the horse. The friend of her youth, Sabrina Scott, was--oh, such a girl! And her cousin, the little Lordof the Isles, the heir of the marquis, was so gracious and beautifulthat she was always covering him with kisses. Unfortunately he wasonly six, so that there was hardly a possibility that the propertiesshould be brought together. 

But Lady Glencora, though she was so charming, had even in this, herfirst outset upon the world, given great uneasiness to her friends, and caused the Marquis of Auldreekie to be almost wild with dismay. There was a terribly handsome man about town, who had spent everyshilling that anybody would give him, who was very fond of brandy, who was known, but not trusted, at Newmarket, who was said to be deepin every vice, whose father would not speak to him;--and with him theLady Glencora was never tired of dancing. One morning she had toldher cousin the marquis, with a flashing eye, --for the round blue eyecould flash, --that Burgo Fitzgerald was more sinned against thansinning. Ah me! what was a guardian marquis, anxious for the fate ofthe family property, to do under such circumstances as that?

But before the end of the season the marquis and the duke wereboth happy men, and we will hope that the Lady Glencora also wassatisfied. Mr Plantagenet Palliser had danced with her twice, and hadspoken his mind. He had an interview with the marquis, which waspreeminently satisfactory, and everything was settled. Glencora nodoubt told him how she had accepted that plain gold ring from BurgoFitzgerald, and how she had restored it; but I doubt whether she evertold him of that wavy lock of golden hair which Burgo still keeps inhis receptacle for such treasures. 

"Plantagenet, " said the duke, with quite unaccustomed warmth, "inthis, as in all things, you have shown yourself to be everything thatI could desire. I have told the marquis that Matching Priory, withthe whole estate, should be given over to you at once. It is the mostcomfortable country-house I know. Glencora shall have The Horns asher wedding present. "

But the genial, frank delight of Mr Fothergill pleased Mr Palliserthe most. The heir of the Pallisers had done his duty, and MrFothergill was unfeignedly a happy man. 

CHAPTER LVI

Showing How Mr Crosbie Became Again a Happy Man

It has been told in the last chapter how Lady de Courcy gave a greatparty in London in the latter days of April, and it may therefore bethought that things were going well with the de Courcys; but I fearthe inference would be untrue. At any rate, things were not goingwell with Lady Alexandrina, for she, on her mother's first arrivalin town, had rushed to Portman Square with a long tale of hersufferings. 

"Oh, mamma! you would not believe it; but he hardly ever speaks tome. "

"My dear, there are worse faults in a man than that. "

"I am alone there all the day. I never get out. He never offers toget me a carriage. He asked me to walk with him once last week, whenit was raining. I saw that he waited till the rain began. Only think, I have not been out three evenings this month, --except to Amelia's;and now he says he won't go there any more, because a fly is soexpensive. You can't believe how uncomfortable the house is. "

"I thought you chose it, my dear. "

"I looked at it, but, of course, I didn't know what a house oughtto be. Amelia said it wasn't nice, but he would have it. He hatesAmelia. I'm sure of that, for he says everything he can to snub herand Mr Gazebee. Mr Gazebee is as good as he, at any rate. What doyou think? He has given Richard warning to go. You never saw him, but he was a very good servant. He has given him warning, and he isnot talking of getting another man. I won't live with him withoutsomebody to wait upon me. "

"My dearest girl, do not think of such a thing as leaving him. "

"But I will think of it, mamma. You do not know what my life is inthat house. He never speaks to me, --never. He comes home beforedinner at half-past six, and when he has just shown himself he goesto his dressing-room. He is always silent at dinner-time, and afterdinner he goes to sleep. He breakfasts always at nine, and goes awayat half-past nine, though I know he does not get to his office tilleleven. If I want anything, he says that it cannot be afforded. Inever thought before that he was stingy, but I am sure now that hemust be a miser at heart. "

"It is better so than a spendthrift, Alexandrina. "

"I don't know that it is better. He could not make me more unhappythan I am. Unhappy is no word for it. What can I do, shut up in sucha house as that by myself from nine o'clock in the morning till sixin the evening? Everybody knows what he is, so that nobody will cometo see me. I tell you fairly, mamma, I will not stand it. If youcannot help me, I will look for help elsewhere. "

It may, at any rate, be said that things were not going well withthat branch of the de Courcy family. Nor, indeed, was it going wellwith some other branches. Lord Porlock had married, not havingselected his partner for life from the choicest cream of thearistocratic circles, and his mother, while endeavouring to say aword in his favour, had been so abused by the earl that she had beendriven to declare that she could no longer endure such usage. She hadcome up to London in direct opposition to his commands, while he wasfastened to his room by gout; and had given her party in defiance ofhim, so that people should not say, when her back was turned, thatshe had slunk away in despair. 

"I have borne it, " she said to Margaretta, "longer than any otherwoman in England would have done. While I thought that any of youwould marry--"

"Oh, don't talk of that, mamma, " said Margaretta, putting a littlescorn into her voice. She had not been quite pleased that even hermother should intimate that all her chance was over, and yet sheherself had often told her mother that she had given up all thoughtof marrying. 

"Rosina will go to Amelia's, " the countess continued; "Mr Gazebee isquite satisfied that it should be so, and he will take care that sheshall have enough to cover her own expenses. I propose that you andI, dear, shall go to Baden-Baden. "

"And about money, mamma?"

"Mr Gazebee must manage it. In spite of all that your father says, Iknow that there must be money. The expense will be much less so thanin our present way. "

"And what will papa do himself?"

"I cannot help it, my dear. No one knows what I have had to bear. Another year of it would kill me. His language has become worse andworse, and I fear every day that he is going to strike me with hiscrutch. "

Under all these circumstances it cannot be said that the de Courcyinterests were prospering. 

But Lady de Courcy, when she had made up her mind to go toBaden-Baden, had by no means intended to take her youngest daughterwith her. She had endured for years, and now Alexandrina was unableto endure for six months. Her chief grievance, moreover, wasthis, --that her husband was silent. The mother felt that no woman hada right to complain much of any such sorrow as that. If her earl hadsinned only in that way, she would have been content to have remainedby him till the last!

And yet I do not know whether Alexandrina's life was not quite ashard as that of her mother. She barely exceeded the truth when shesaid that he never spoke to her. The hours with her in her newcomfortless house were very long, --very long and very tedious. Marriage with her had by no means been the thing that she hadexpected. At home, with her mother, there had always been peoplearound her, but they had not always been such as she herself wouldhave chosen for her companions. She had thought that, when married, she could choose and have those about her who were congenial to her:but she found that none came to her. Her sister, who was a wiserwoman than she, had begun her married life with a definite idea, andhad carried it out; but this poor creature found herself, as it were, stranded. When once she had conceived it in her heart to feel angeragainst her husband, --and she had done so before they had been a weektogether, --there was no love to bring her back to him again. She didnot know that it behoved her to look pleased when he entered theroom, and to make him at any rate think that his presence gave herhappiness. She became gloomy before she reached her new house, andnever laid her gloom aside. He would have made a struggle for somedomestic comfort, had any seemed to be within his reach. As it was, he struggled for domestic propriety, believing that he might so bestbolster up his present lot in life. But the task became harder andharder to him, and the gloom became denser and more dense. He did notthink of her unhappiness, but of his own; as she did not think of histedium, but of hers. "If this be domestic felicity!" he would say tohimself, as he sat in his arm-chair, striving to fix his attentionupon a book. 

"If this be the happiness of married life!" she thought, as sheremained listless, without even the pretence of a book, behind herteacups. In truth she would not walk with him, not caring for suchexercise round the pavement of a London square; and he had resolutelydetermined that she should not run into debt for carriage hire. Hewas not a curmudgeon with his money; he was no miser. But he hadfound that in marrying an earl's daughter he had made himself a poorman, and he was resolved that he would not also be an embarrassedman. 

When the bride heard that her mother and sister were about to escapeto Baden-Baden, there rushed upon her a sudden hope that she mightbe able to accompany the flight. She would not be parted from herhusband, or at least not so parted that the world should supposethat they had quarrelled. She would simply go away and make a longvisit, --a very long visit. Two years ago a sojourn with her motherand Margaretta at Baden-Baden would not have offered to her much thatwas attractive; but now, in her eyes, such a life seemed to be a lifein Paradise. In truth, the tedium of those hours in Princess RoyalCrescent had been very heavy. 

But how could she contrive that it should be so? That conversationwith her mother had taken place on the day preceding the party, andLady de Courcy had repeated it with dismay to Margaretta. 

"Of course he would allow her an income, " Margaretta had coolly said. 

"But, my dear, they have been married only ten weeks. "

"I don't see why people are to be made absolutely wretched becausethey are married, " Margaretta answered. "I don't want to persuadeher to leave him, but if what she says is true, it must be veryuncomfortable. "

Crosbie had consented to go to the party in Portman Square, but hadnot greatly enjoyed himself on that festive occasion. He had stoodabout moodily, speaking hardly a word to any one. His whole aspect oflife seemed to have been altered during the last few months. It washere, in such spots as this that he had been used to find his glory. On such occasions he had shone with peculiar light, making enviousthe hearts of many who watched the brilliance of his career as theystood around in dull quiescence. But now no one in those rooms hadbeen more dull, more silent, or less courted than he; and yet he wasestablished there as the son-in-law of that noble house. "Rather slowwork; isn't it?" Gazebee had said to him, having, after many efforts, succeeded in reaching his brother-in-law in a corner. In answer tothis Crosbie had only grunted. "As for myself, " continued Gazebee, "Iwould a deal sooner be at home with my paper and slippers. It seemsto me these sort of gatherings don't suit married men. " Crosbie hadagain grunted, and had then escaped into another corner. 

Crosbie and his wife went home together in a cab, --speechless bothof them. Alexandrina hated cabs, --but she had been plainly told thatin such vehicles, and in such vehicles only, could she be allowedto travel. On the following morning he was at the breakfast-tablepunctually by nine, but she did not make her appearance till after hehad gone to his office. Soon after that, however, she was away to hermother and her sister; but she was seated grimly in her drawing-roomwhen he came in to see her, on his return to his house. Having saidsome word which might be taken for a greeting, he was about toretire; but she stopped him with a request that he would speak toher. 

"Certainly, " said he. "I was only going to dress. It is nearly thehalf-hour. "

"I won't keep you very long, and if dinner is a few minutes late itwon't signify. Mamma and Margaretta are going to Baden-Baden. "

"To Baden-Baden, are they?"

"Yes; and they intend to remain there--for a considerable time. "There was a little pause, and Alexandrina found it necessary to clearher voice and to prepare herself for further speech by a littlecough. She was determined to make her proposition, but was ratherafraid of the manner in which it might be first received. 

"Has anything happened at Courcy Castle?" Crosbie asked. 

"No; that is, yes; there may have been some words between papa andmamma; but I don't quite know. That, however, does not matter now. Mamma is going, and purposes to remain there for the rest of theyear. "

"And the house in town will be given up. "

"I suppose so, but that will be as papa chooses. Have you anyobjection to my going with mamma?"

What a question to be asked by a bride of ten weeks' standing! Shehad hardly been above a month with her husband in her new house, andshe was now asking permission to leave it, and to leave him also, foran indefinite number of months--perhaps for ever. But she showed noexcitement as she made her request. There was neither sorrow, norregret, nor hope in her face. She had not put on half the animationwhich she had once assumed in asking for the use, twice a week, of a carriage done up to look as though it were her own privatepossession. Crosbie had then answered her with great sternness, andshe had wept when his refusal was made certain to her. But there wasto be no weeping now. She meant to go, --with his permission if hewould accord it, and without it if he should refuse it. The questionof money was no doubt important, but Gazebee should manage that, --ashe managed all those things. 

"Going with them to Baden-Baden?" said Crosbie. "For how long?"

"Well: it would be no use unless it were for some time. "

"For how long a time do you mean, Alexandrina? Speak out what youreally have to say. For a month?"

"Oh, more than that. "

"For two months, or six, or as long as they may stay there?"

"We could settle that afterwards, when I am there. " During all thistime she did not once look into his face, though he was looking hardat her throughout. 

"You mean, " said he, "that you wish to go away from me. "

"In one sense it would be going away, certainly. "

"But in the ordinary sense? is it not so? When you talk of going toBaden-Baden for an unlimited number of months, have you any idea ofcoming back again?"

"Back to London, you mean?"

"Back to me, --to my house, --to your duties as a wife! Why cannot yousay at once what it is you want? You wish to be separated from me?"

"I am not happy here, --in this house. "

"And who chose the house? Did I want to come here? But it is notthat. If you are not happy here, what could you have in any otherhouse to make you happy?"

"If you were left alone in this room for seven or eight hours at atime, without a soul to come to you, you would know what I mean. Andeven after that, it is not much better. You never speak to me whenyou are here. "

"Is it my fault that nobody comes to you? The fact is, Alexandrina, that you will not reconcile yourself to the manner of life whichis suitable to my income. You are wretched because you cannot haveyourself driven round the Park. I cannot find you a carriage, and will not attempt to do so. You may go to Baden-Baden, if youplease;--that is, if your mother is willing to take you. "

"Of course I must pay my own expenses, " said Alexandrina. But tothis he made no answer on the moment. As soon as he had given hispermission he had risen from his seat and was going, and her lastwords only caught him in the doorway. After all, would not this bethe cheapest arrangement that he could make? As he went through hiscalculations he stood up, with his elbow on the mantel-piece, in hisdressing-room. He had scolded his wife because she had been unhappywith him; but had he not been quite as unhappy with her? Would itnot be better that they should part in this quiet, half-unnoticedway;--that they should part and never again come together? He waslucky in this, that hitherto had come upon them no prospect of anylittle Crosbie to mar the advantages of such an arrangement. If hegave her four hundred a year, and allowed Gazebee two more towardsthe paying off of encumbrances, he would still have six on which toenjoy himself in London. Of course he could not live as he had livedin those happy days before his marriage, nor, independently of thecost, would such a mode of life be within his reach. But he might goto his club for his dinners; he might smoke his cigar in luxury; hewould not be bound to that wooden home which, in spite of all hisresolutions, had become almost unendurable to him. So he made hiscalculations, and found that it would be well that his bride shouldgo. He would give over his house and furniture to Gazebee, allowingGazebee to do as he would about that. To be once more a bachelor, inlodgings, with six hundred a year to spend on himself, seemed to himnow such a prospect of happiness that he almost became light-heartedas he dressed himself. He would let her go to Baden-Baden. 

There was nothing said about it at dinner, nor did he mention thesubject again till the servant had left the tea-things on thedrawing-room table. "You can go with your mother if you like it, " hethen said. 

"I think it will be best, " she answered. 

"Perhaps it will. At any rate you shall suit yourself. "

"And about money?"

"You had better leave me to speak to Gazebee about that. "

"Very well. Will you have some tea?" And then the whole thing wasfinished. 

On the next day she went after lunch to her mother's house, and nevercame back again to Princess Royal Crescent. During that morning shepacked up those things which she cared to pack herself, and sent hersisters there, with an old family servant, to bring away whateverelse might be supposed to belong to her. "Dear, dear, " said Amelia, "what trouble I had in getting these things together for them, andonly the other day. I can't but think she's wrong to go away. "

"I don't know, " said Margaretta. "She has not been so lucky as youhave in the man she has married. I always felt that she would find itdifficult to manage him. "

"But, my dear, she has not tried. She has given up at once. It isn'tmanagement that was wanting. The fact is that when Alexandrina beganshe didn't make up her mind to the kind of thing she was coming to. Idid. I knew it wasn't to be all party-going and that sort of thing. But I must own that Crosbie isn't the same sort of man as Mortimer. Idon't think I could have gone on with him. You might as well havethose small books put up; he won't care about them. " And in this wayCrosbie's house was dismantled. 

She saw him no more, for he made no farewell visit to the house inPortman Square. A note had been brought to him at his office: "Iam here with mamma, and may as well say good-bye now. We start onTuesday. If you wish to write, you can send your letters to thehousekeeper here. I hope you will make yourself comfortable, and thatyou will be well. Yours affectionately, A. C. " He made no answer toit, but went that day and dined at his club. 

"I haven't seen you this age, " said Montgomerie Dobbs. 

"No. My wife is going abroad with her mother, and while she is away Ishall come back here again. "

There was nothing more said to him, and no one ever made any inquiryabout his domestic affairs. It seemed to him now as though he had nofriend sufficiently intimate with him to ask him after his wife orfamily. She was gone, and in a month's time he found himself again inMount Street, --beginning the world with five hundred a year, not six. For Mr Gazebee, when the reckoning came, showed him that a largerincome at the present moment was not possible for him. The countesshad for a long time refused to let Lady Alexandrina go with her on sosmall a pittance as four hundred and fifty;--and then were there notthe insurances to be maintained?

But I think he would have consented to accept his liberty with threehundred a year, --so great to him was the relief. 

CHAPTER LVII

Lilian Dale Vanquishes Her Mother

Mrs Dale had been present during the interview in which John Eameshad made his prayer to her daughter, but she had said little ornothing on that occasion. All her wishes had been in favour of thesuitor, but she had not dared to express them, neither had she daredto leave the room. It had been hard upon him to be thus forced todeclare his love in the presence of a third person, but he had doneit, and had gone away with his answer. Then, when the thing was over, Lily, without any communion with her mother, took herself off, andwas no more seen till the evening hours had come on, in which itwas natural that they should be together again. Mrs Dale, when thusalone, had been able to think of nothing but this new suit for herdaughter's hand. If only it might be accomplished! If any words fromher to Lily might be efficacious to such an end! And yet, hitherto, she had been afraid almost to utter a word. 

She knew that it was very difficult. She declared to herself over andover that he had come too soon, --that the attempt had been made tooquickly after that other shipwreck. How was it possible that theship should put to sea again at once, with all her timbers so rudelystrained? And yet, now that the attempt had been made, now that Eameshad uttered his request and been sent away with an answer, she feltthat she must at once speak to Lily on the subject, if ever she wereto speak upon it. She thought that she understood her child and allher feelings. She recognised the violence of the shock which must beencountered before Lily could be brought to acknowledge such a changein her heart. But if the thing could be done, Lily would be a happywoman. When once done it would be in all respects a blessing. Andif it were not done, might not Lily's life be blank, lonely, andloveless to the end? Yet when Lily came down in the evening, withsome light, half-joking word on her lips, as was usual to her, MrsDale was still afraid to venture upon her task. 

"I suppose, mamma, we may consider it as a settled thing thateverything must be again unpacked, and that the lodging scheme willbe given up. "

"I don't know that, my dear. "

"Oh, but I do--after what you said just now. What geese everybodywill think us!"

"I shouldn't care a bit for that, if we didn't think ourselves geese, or if your uncle did not think us so. "

"I believe he would think we were swans. If I had ever thought hewould be so much in earnest about it, or that he would ever havecared about our being here, I would never have voted for going. Buthe is so strange. He is affectionate when he ought to be angry, andill-natured when he ought to be gentle and kind. "

"He has, at any rate, given us reason to feel sure of his affection. "

"For us girls, I never doubted it. But, mamma, I don't think I couldface Mrs Boyce. Mrs Hearn and Mrs Crump would be very bad, andHopkins would come down upon us terribly when he found that we hadgiven way. But Mrs Boyce would be worse than any of them. Can't youfancy the tone of her congratulations?"

"I think I should survive Mrs Boyce. "

"Ah, yes; because we should have to go and tell her. I know yourcowardice of old, mamma; don't I? And Bell wouldn't care a bit, because of her lover. Mrs Boyce will be nothing to her. It is I thatmust bear it all. Well, I don't mind; I'll vote for staying if youwill promise to be happy here. Oh, mamma, I'll vote for anything ifyou will be happy. "

"And will you be happy?"

"Yes, as happy as the day is long. Only I know we shall never seeBell. People never do see each other when they live just at thatdistance. It's too near for long visits, and too far for shortvisits. I'll tell you what; we might make arrangements each to walkhalf-way, and meet at the corner of Lord De Guest's wood. I wonderwhether they'd let us put up a seat there. I think we might have alittle house and carry sandwiches and a bottle of beer. Couldn't wesee something of each other in that way?"

Thus it came to be the fixed idea of both of them that they wouldabandon their plan of migrating to Guestwick, and on this subjectthey continued to talk over their tea-table; but on that evening MrsDale ventured to say nothing about John Eames. 

But they did not even yet dare to commence the work of reconstructingtheir old home. Bell must come back before they would do that, andthe express assent of the squire must be formally obtained. Mrs Dalemust, in a degree, acknowledge herself to have been wrong, and ask tobe forgiven for her contumacy. 

"I suppose the three of us had better go up in sackcloth, and throwashes on our foreheads as we meet Hopkins in the garden, " said Lily, "and then I know he'll heap coals of fire on our heads by sending usan early dish of peas. And Dingles would bring us in a pheasant, onlythat pheasants don't grow in May. "

"If the sackcloth doesn't take an unpleasanter shape than that, Ishan't mind it. "

"That's because you've got no delicate feelings. And then UncleChristopher's gratitude!"

"Ah! I shall feel that. "

"But, mamma, we'll wait till Bell comes home. She shall decide. Sheis going away, and therefore she'll be free from prejudice. If uncleoffers to paint the house, --and I know he will, --then I shall behumbled to the dust. "

But yet Mrs Dale had said nothing on the subject which was nearest toher heart. When Lily in pleasantry had accused her of cowardice, hermind had instantly gone off to that other matter, and she had toldherself that she was a coward. Why should she be afraid of offeringher counsel to her own child? It seemed to her as though she hadneglected some duty in allowing Crosbie's conduct to have passedaway without hardly a word of comment on it between herself and Lily. Should she not have forced upon her daughter's conviction the factthat Crosbie had been a villain, and as such should be discarded fromher heart? As it was, Lily had spoken the simple truth when she toldJohn Eames that she was dealing more openly with him on that affairof her engagement than she had ever dealt, even with her mother. Thinking of this as she sat in her own room that night, before sheallowed herself to rest, Mrs Dale resolved that on the next morningshe would endeavour to make Lily see as she saw and think as shethought. 

She let breakfast pass by before she began her task, and even thenshe did not rush at it at once. Lily sat herself down to her workwhen the teacups were taken away, and Mrs Dale went down to herkitchen as was her wont. It was nearly eleven before she seatedherself in the parlour, and even then she got her work-box before herand took out her needle. 

"I wonder how Bell gets on with Lady Julia, " said Lily. 

"Very well, I'm sure. "

"Lady Julia won't bite her, I know, and I suppose her dismay at thetall footmen has passed off by this time. "

"I don't know that they have any tall footmen. "

"Short footmen then, --you know what I mean; all the noble belongings. They must startle one at first, I'm sure, let one determine ever somuch not to be startled. It's a very mean thing, no doubt, to beafraid of a lord merely because he is a lord; yet I'm sure I shouldbe afraid at first, even of Lord De Guest, if I were staying in thehouse. "

"It's well you didn't go then. "

"Yes, I think it is. Bell is of a firmer mind, and I dare say she'llget over it after the first day. But what on earth does she do there?I wonder whether they mend their stockings in such a house as that. "

"Not in public, I should think. "

"In very grand houses they throw them away at once, I suppose. I'veoften thought about it. Do you believe the Prime Minister ever hashis shoes sent to a cobbler?"

"Perhaps a regular shoemaker will condescend to mend a PrimeMinister's shoes. "

"You do think they are mended then? But who orders it? Does hesee himself when there's a little hole coming, as I do? Does anarchbishop allow himself so many pairs of gloves in a year?"

"Not very strictly, I should think. "

"Then I suppose it comes to this, that he has a new pair wheneverhe wants them. But what constitutes the want? Does he ever say tohimself that they'll do for another Sunday? I remember the bishopcoming here once, and he had a hole at the end of his thumb. I wasgoing to be confirmed, and I remember thinking that he ought to havebeen smarter. "

"Why didn't you offer to mend it?"

"I shouldn't have dared for all the world. "

The conversation had commenced itself in a manner that did notpromise much assistance to Mrs Dale's project. When Lily got upon anysubject, she was not easily induced to leave it, and when her mindhad twisted itself in one direction, it was difficult to untwist it. She was now bent on a consideration of the smaller social habits ofthe high and mighty among us, and was asking her mother whether shesupposed that the royal children ever carried halfpence in theirpockets, or descended so low as fourpenny-bits. 

"I suppose they have pockets like other children, " said Lily. 

But her mother stopped her suddenly, --

"Lily, dear, I want to say something to you about John Eames. "

"Mamma, I'd sooner talk about the Royal Family just at present. "

"But, dear, you must forgive me if I persist. I have thought muchabout it, and I'm sure you will not oppose me when I am doing whatI think to be my duty. "

"No, mamma; I won't oppose you, certainly. "

"Since Mr Crosbie's conduct was made known to you, I have mentionedhis name in your hearing very seldom. "

"No, mamma, you have not. And I have loved you so dearly for yourgoodness to me. Do not think that I have not understood and known howgenerous you have been. No other mother ever was so good as you havebeen. I have known it all, and thought of it every day of my life, and thanked you in my heart for your trusting silence. Of course, Iunderstand your feelings. You think him bad and you hate him for whathe has done. "

"I would not willingly hate any one, Lily. "

"Ah, but you do hate him. If I were you, I should hate him; but I amnot you, and I love him. I pray for his happiness every night andmorning, and for hers. I have forgiven him altogether, and I thinkthat he was right. When I am old enough to do so without being wrong, I will go to him and tell him so. I should like to hear of all hisdoings and all his success, if it were only possible. How, then, canyou and I talk about him? It is impossible. You have been silent andI have been silent;--let us remain silent. "

"It is not about Mr Crosbie that I wish to speak. But I think youought to understand that conduct such as his will be rebuked by allthe world. You may forgive him, but you should acknowledge--"

"Mamma, I don't want to acknowledge anything;--not about him. Thereare things as to which a person cannot argue. " Mrs Dale felt thatthis present matter was one as to which she could not argue. "Ofcourse, mamma, " continued Lily, "I don't want to oppose you inanything, but I think we had better be silent about this. "

"Of course I am thinking only of your future happiness. "

"I know you are; but pray believe me that you need not be alarmed. I do not mean to be unhappy. Indeed, I think I may say I am notunhappy; of course I have been unhappy, --very unhappy. I did thinkthat my heart would break. But that has passed away, and I believe Ican be as happy as my neighbours. We're all of us sure to have sometroubles, as you used to tell us when we were children. "

Mrs Dale felt that she had begun wrong, and that she would have beenable to make better progress had she omitted all mention of Crosbie'sname. She knew exactly what it was that she wished to say, --what werethe arguments which she desired to expound before her daughter; butshe did not know what language to use, or how she might best put herthoughts into words. She paused for a while, and Lily went on withher work as though the conversation was over. But the conversationwas not over. 

"It was about John Eames, and not about Mr Crosbie, that I wished tospeak to you. "

"Oh, mamma!"

"My dear, you must not hinder me in doing what I think to be a duty. I heard what he said to you and what you replied, and of course Icannot but have my mind full of the subject. Why should you setyourself against him in so fixed a manner?"

"Because I love another man. " These words she spoke out loud, in asteady, almost dogged tone, with a certain show of audacity, --asthough aware that the declaration was unseemly, but resolved that, though unseemly, it must be made. 

"But, Lily, that love, from its very nature, must cease; or, rather, such love is not the same as that you felt when you thought that youwere to be his wife. "

"Yes, it is. If she died, and he came to me in five years time, Iwould still take him. I should think myself constrained to take him. "

"But she is not dead, nor likely to die. "

"That makes no difference. You don't understand me, mamma. "

"I think I do, and I want you to understand me also. I know howdifficult is your position; I know what your feelings are; but I knowthis also, that if you could reason with yourself, and bring yourselfin time to receive John Eames as a dear friend--"

"I did receive him as a dear friend. Why not? He is a dear friend. Ilove him heartily, --as you do. "

"You know what I mean?"

"Yes, I do; and I tell you it is impossible. "

"If you would make the attempt, all this misery would soon beforgotten. If once you could bring yourself to regard him asa friend, who might become your husband, all this would bechanged, --and I should see you happy!"

"You are strangely anxious to be rid of me, mamma!"

"Yes, Lily;--to be rid of you in that way. If I could see you putyour hand in his as his promised wife, I think that I should be thehappiest woman in the world. "

"Mamma, I cannot make you happy in that way. If you really understoodmy feelings, my doing as you propose would make you very unhappy. Ishould commit a great sin, --the sin against which women should bemore guarded than against any other. In my heart I am married to thatother man. I gave myself to him, and loved him, and rejoiced in hislove. When he kissed me I kissed him again, and I longed for hiskisses. I seemed to live only that he might caress me. All that timeI never felt myself to be wrong, --because he was all in all to me. Iwas his own. That has been changed, --to my great misfortune; but itcannot be undone or forgotten. I cannot be the girl I was before hecame here. There are things that will not have themselves buried andput out of sight, as though they had never been. I am as you are, mamma, --widowed. But you have your daughter, and I have my mother. Ifyou will be contented, so will I. " Then she got up and threw herselfon her mother's neck. 

Mrs Dale's argument was over now. To such an appeal as that last madeby Lily no rejoinder on her part was possible. After that she wasdriven to acknowledge to herself that she must be silent. Years asthey rolled on might make a change, but no reasoning could be ofavail. She embraced her daughter, weeping over her, --whereas Lily'seyes were dry. "It shall be as you will, " Mrs Dale murmured. 

"Yes, as I will. I shall have my own way; shall I not? That is allI want; to be a tyrant over you, and make you do my bidding ineverything, as a well-behaved mother should do. But I won't be sternin my orderings. If you will only be obedient, I will be so graciousto you! There's Hopkins again. I wonder whether he has come to knockus down and trample upon us with another speech. "

Hopkins knew very well to which window he must come, as only oneof the rooms was at the present time habitable. He came up to thedining-room, and almost flattened his nose against the glass. 

"Well, Hopkins, " said Lily, "here we are. " Mrs Dale had turned herface away, for she knew that the tears were still on her cheek. 

"Yes, miss, I see you. I want to speak to your mamma, miss. "

"Come round, " said Lily, anxious to spare her mother the necessityof showing herself at once. "It's too cold to open the window; comeround, and I'll open the door. "

"Too cold!" muttered Hopkins, as he went. "They'll find it a dealcolder in lodgings at Guestwick. " However, he went round through thekitchen, and Lily met him in the hall. 

"Well, Hopkins, what is it? Mamma has got a headache. "

"Got a headache, has she? I won't make her headache no worse. It'smy opinion that there's nothing for a headache so good as fresh air. Only some people can't abear to be blowed upon, not for a minute. Ifyou don't let down the lights in a greenhouse more or less every day, you'll never get any plants, --never;--and it's just the same with thegrapes. Is I to go back and say as how I couldn't see her?"

"You can come in if you like; only be quiet, you know. "

"Ain't I ollays quiet, miss? Did anybody ever hear me rampage? If youplease, ma'am, the squire's come home. "

"What, home from Guestwick? Has he brought Miss Bell?"

"He ain't brought none but hisself, 'cause he come on horseback; andit's my belief he's going back almost immediate. But he wants you tocome to him, Mrs Dale. "

"Oh, yes, I'll come at once. "

"He bade me say with his kind love. I don't know whether that makesany difference. "

"At any rate, I'll come, Hopkins. "

"And I ain't to say nothing about the headache?"

"About what?" said Mrs Dale. 

"No, no, no, " said Lily. "Mamma will be there at once. Go and tell myuncle, there's a good man, " and she put up her hand and backed himout of the room. 

"I don't believe she's got no headache at all, " said Hopkins, grumbling, as he returned through the back premises. "What liesgentlefolks do tell! If I said I'd a headache when I ought to be outamong the things, what would they say to me? But a poor man mustn'tnever lie, nor yet drink, nor yet do nothing. " And so he went backwith his message. 

"What can have brought your uncle home?" said Mrs Dale. 

"Just to look after the cattle, and to see that the pigs are not alldead. My wonder is that he should ever have gone away. "

"I must go up to him at once. "

"Oh, yes, of course. "

"And what shall I say about the house?"

"It's not about that, --at least I think not. I don't think he'llspeak about that again till you speak to him. "

"But if he does?"

"You must put your trust in Providence. Declare you've got a badheadache, as I told Hopkins just now; only you would throw me over bynot understanding. I'll walk with you down to the bridge. " So theywent off together across the lawn. 

But Lily was soon left alone, and continued her walk, waiting forher mother's return. As she went round and round the gravel paths, she thought of the words that she had said to her mother. She haddeclared that she also was widowed. "And so it should be, " she said, debating the matter with herself. "What can a heart be worth ifit can be transferred hither and thither as circumstances andconvenience and comfort may require? When he held me here in hisarms"--and, as the thoughts ran through her brain, she remembered thevery spot on which they had stood--"oh, my love!" she had said to himthen as she returned his kisses--"oh, my love, my love, my love!""When he held me here in his arms, I told myself that it was right, because he was my husband. He has changed, but I have not. It mightbe that I should have ceased to love him, and then I should have toldhim so. I should have done as he did. " But, as she came to this, sheshuddered, thinking of the Lady Alexandrina. "It was very quick, " shesaid, still speaking to herself; "very, very. But then men are notthe same as women. " And she walked on eagerly, hardly rememberingwhere she was, thinking over it all, as she did daily; rememberingevery little thought and word of those few eventful months in whichshe had learned to regard Crosbie as her husband and master. Shehad declared that she had conquered her unhappiness; but there weremoments in which she was almost wild with misery. "Tell me to forgethim!" she said. "It is the one thing which will never be forgotten. "

At last she heard her mother's step coming down across the squire'sgarden, and she took up her post at the bridge. 

"Stand and deliver, " she said, as her mother put her foot upon theplank. "That is, if you've got anything worth delivering. Is anythingsettled?"

"Come up to the house, " said Mrs Dale, "and I'll tell you all. "

CHAPTER LVIII

The Fate of the Small House

There was something in the tone of Mrs Dale's voice, as she desiredher daughter to come up to the house, and declared that her budget ofnews should be opened there, which at once silenced Lily's assumedpleasantry. Her mother had been away fully two hours, during whichLily had still continued her walk round the garden, till at last shehad become impatient for her mother's footstep. Something seriousmust have been said between her uncle and her mother during thoselong two hours. The interviews to which Mrs Dale was occasionallysummoned at the Great House did not usually exceed twenty minutes, and the upshot would be communicated to the girls in a turn or tworound the garden; but in the present instance Mrs Dale positivelydeclined to speak till she was seated within the house. 

"Did he come over on purpose to see you, mamma?"

"Yes, my dear, I believe so. He wished to see you, too; but I askedhis permission to postpone that till after I had talked to you. "

"To see me, mamma? About what?"

"To kiss you, and bid you love him; solely for that. He has not aword to say to you that will vex you. "

"Then I will kiss him, and love him, too. "

"Yes, you will when I have told you all. I have promised him solemnlyto give up all idea of going to Guestwick. So that is over. "

"Oh, oh! And we may begin to unpack at once? What an episode in one'slife!"

"We may certainly unpack, for I have pledged myself to him; and he isto go into Guestwick himself and arrange about the lodgings. "

"Does Hopkins know it?"

"I should think not yet. "

"Nor Mrs Boyce! Mamma, I don't believe I shall be able to survivethis next week. We shall look such fools! I'll tell you what we'lldo;--it will be the only comfort I can have;--we'll go to work andget everything back into its place before Bell comes home, so as tosurprise her. "

"What! in two days?"

"Why not? I'll make Hopkins come and help, and then he'll not be sobad. I'll begin at once and go to the blankets and beds, because Ican undo them myself. "

"But I haven't half told you all; and, indeed, I don't know how tomake you understand what passed between us. He is very unhappy aboutBernard; Bernard has determined to go abroad, and may be away foryears. "

"One can hardly blame a man for following up his profession. "

"There was no blaming. He only said that it was very sad for himthat, in his old age, he should be left alone. This was before therewas any talk about our remaining. Indeed he seemed determined notto ask that again as a favour. I could see that in his eye, and Iunderstood it from his tone. He went on to speak of you and Bell, saying how well he loved you both; but that, unfortunately, his hopesregarding you had not been fulfilled. "

"Ah, but he shouldn't have had hopes of that sort. "

"Listen, my dear, and I think that you will not feel angry with him. He said that he felt his house had never been pleasant to you. Thenthere followed words which I could not repeat, even if I couldremember them. He said much about myself, regretting that the feelingbetween us had not been more kindly. 'But my heart, ' he said, 'hasever been kinder than my words. ' Then I got up from where I wasseated, and going over to him, I told him that we would remain here. "

"And what did he say?"

"I don't know what he said. I know that I was crying, and that hekissed me. It was the first time in his life. I know that he waspleased, --beyond measure pleased. After a while he became animated, and talked of doing ever so many things. He promised that verypainting of which you spoke. "

"Ah, yes, I knew it; and Hopkins will be here with the peas beforedinner-time to-morrow, and Dingles with his shoulders smothered withrabbits. And then Mrs Boyce! Mamma, he didn't think of Mrs Boyce;or, in very charity of heart, he would still have maintained hissadness. "

"Then he did not think of her; for when I left him he was not at allsad. But I haven't told you half yet. "

"Dear me, mamma; was there more than that?"

"And I've told it all wrong; for what I've got to tell now was saidbefore a word was spoken about the house. He brought it in just afterwhat he said about Bernard. He said that Bernard would, of course, behis heir. "

"Of course he will. "

"And that he should think it wrong to encumber the property with anycharges for you girls. "

"Mamma, did any one ever--"

"Stop, Lily, stop; and make your heart kinder towards him if youcan. "

"It is kind; only I hate to be told that I'm not to have a lot ofmoney, as though I had ever shown a desire for it. I have neverenvied Bernard his man-servant, or his maid-servant, or his ox, orhis ass, or anything that is his. To tell the truth I didn't evenwish it to be Bell's, because I knew well that there was somebody shewould like a great deal better than ever she could like Bernard. "

"I shall never get to the end of my story. "

"Yes, you will, mamma, if you persevere. "

"The long and the short of it is this, that he has given Bell threethousand pounds, and has given you three thousand also. "

"But why me, mamma?" said Lily, and the colour of her cheeks becamered as she spoke. There should if possible be nothing more said aboutJohn Eames; but whatever might or might not be the necessity ofspeaking, at any rate, let there be no mistake. "But why me, mamma?"

"Because, as he explained to me, he thinks it right to do the sameby each of you. The money is yours at this moment, --to buy hair-pinswith, if you please. I had no idea that he could command so large asum. "

"Three thousand pounds! The last money he gave me was half-a-crown, and I thought that he was so stingy! I particularly wanted tenshillings. I should have liked it so much better now if he had givenme a nice new five-pound note. "

"You'd better tell him so. "

"No; because then he'd give me that too. But with five pounds Ishould have the feeling that I might do what I liked with it;--buy adressing-case, and a thing for a squirrel to run round in. But nobodyever gives girls money like that, so that they can enjoy it. "

"Oh, Lily; you ungrateful child!"

"No, I deny it. I'm not ungrateful. I'm very grateful, because hisheart was softened, --and because he cried and kissed you. I'll beever so good to him! But how I'm to thank him for giving me threethousand pounds, I cannot think. It's a sort of thing altogetherbeyond my line of life. It sounds like something that's to come tome in another world, but which I don't want quite yet. I am grateful, but with a misty, hazy sort of gratitude. Can you tell me how soonI shall have a new pair of Balmoral boots because of this money? Ifthat were brought home to me I think it would enliven my gratitude. "

The squire, as he rode back to Guestwick, fell again from thatanimation, which Mrs Dale had described, into his natural sombremood. He thought much of his past life, declaring to himself thetruth of those words in which he had told his sister-in-law that hisheart had ever been kinder than his words. But the world, and allthose nearest to him in the world, had judged him always by his wordsrather than by his heart. They had taken the appearance, which hecould not command or alter, rather than the facts, of which he hadbeen the master. Had he not been good to all his relations?--and yetwas there one among them that cared for him? "I'm almost sorry thatthey are going to stay, " he said to himself;--"I know that I shalldisappoint them. " Yet when he met Bell at the Manor House he accostedher cheerily, telling her with much appearance of satisfaction thatthat flitting into Guestwick was not to be accomplished. 

"I am so glad, " said she. "It is long since I wished it. "

"And I do not think your mother wishes it now. "

"I am sure she does not. It was all a misunderstanding from thefirst. When some of us could not do all that you wished, we thoughtit better--" Then Bell paused, finding that she would get herselfinto a mess if she persevered. 

"We will not say any more about it, " said the squire. "The thing isover, and I am very glad that it should be so pleasantly settled. Iwas talking to Dr Crofts yesterday. "

"Were you, uncle?"

"Yes; and he is to come and stay with me the day before he ismarried. We have arranged it all. And we'll have the breakfast up atthe Great House. Only you must fix the day. I should say some time inMay. And, my dear, you'll want to make yourself fine; here's a littlemoney for you. You are to spend that before your marriage, you know. "Then he shambled away, and as soon as he was alone, again became sadand despondent. He was a man for whom we may predicate some gentlesadness and continued despondency to the end of his life's chapter. 

We left John Eames in the custody of Lady Julia, who had overtakenhim in the act of erasing Lily's name from the railing which ranacross the brook. He had been premeditating an escape home to hismother's house in Guestwick, and thence hack to London, withoutmaking any further appearance at the Manor House. But as soon as heheard Lady Julia's step, and saw her figure close upon him, he knewthat his retreat was cut off from him. So he allowed himself to beled away quietly up to the house. With Lady Julia herself he openlydiscussed the whole matter, --telling her that his hopes were over, his happiness gone, and his heart half-broken. Though he wouldperhaps have cared but little for her congratulations in success, hecould make himself more amenable to consolation and sympathy from herthan from any other inmate in the earl's house. "I don't know what Ishall say to your brother, " he whispered to her, as they approachedthe side door at which she intended to enter. 

"Will you let me break it to him? After that he will say a few wordsto you of course, but you need not be afraid of him. "

"And Mr Dale?" said Johnny. "Everybody has heard about it. Everybodywill know what a fool I have made myself. " She suggested that theearl should speak to the squire, assured him that nobody would thinkhim at all foolish, and then left him to make his way up to his ownbedroom. When there he found a letter from Cradell, which had beendelivered in his absence; but the contents of that letter may best bedeferred to the next chapter. They were not of a nature to give himcomfort or to add to his sorrow. 

About an hour before dinner there was a knock at his door, and theearl himself, when summoned, made his appearance in the room. He wasdressed in his usual farming attire, having been caught by Lady Juliaon his first approach to the house, and had come away direct to hisyoung friend, after having been duly trained in what he ought to sayby his kind-hearted sister. I am not, however, prepared to declarethat he strictly followed his sister's teaching in all that he saidupon the occasion. 

"Well, my boy, " he began, "so the young lady has been perverse. "

"Yes, my lord. That is, I don't know about being perverse. It is allover. "

"That's as may be, Johnny. As far as I know, not half of them accepttheir lovers the first time of asking. "

"I shall not ask her again. "

"Oh, yes, you will. You don't mean to say you are angry with her forrefusing you. "

"Not in the least. I have no right to be angry. I am only angry withmyself for being such a fool, Lord De Guest. I wish I had been deadbefore I came down here on this errand. Now I think of it, I knowthere are so many things which ought to have made me sure how itwould be. "

"I don't see that at all. You come down again, --let me see, --it's Maynow. Say you come when the shooting begins in September. If we can'tget you leave of absence in any other way, we'll make old Buffle cometoo. Only, by George, I believe he'd shoot us all. But never mind;we'll manage that. You keep up your spirits till September, and thenwe'll fight the battle in another way. The squire shall get up alittle party for the bride, and my lady Lily must go then. You shallmeet her so; and then we'll shoot over the squire's land. We'll bringyou together so; you see if we don't. Lord bless me! Refused once! Mybelief is, that in these days a girl thinks nothing of a man till shehas refused him half-a-dozen times. "

"I don't think Lily is at all like that. "

"Look here, Johnny. I have not a word to say against Miss Lily. Ilike her very much, and think her one of the nicest girls I know. When she's your wife, I'll love her dearly, if she'll let me. Butshe's made of the same stuff as other girls, and will act in the sameway. Things have gone a little astray among you, and they won't rightthemselves all in a minute. She knows now what your feelings are, andshe'll go on thinking of it, till at last you'll be in her thoughtsmore than that other fellow. Don't tell me about her becoming an oldmaid, because at her time of life she has been so unfortunate as tocome across a false-hearted man like that. It may take a little time;but if you'll carry on and not be down-hearted, you'll find it willall come right in the end. Everybody doesn't get all that they wantin a minute. How I shall quiz you about all this when you have beentwo or three years married!"

"I don't think I shall ever be able to ask her again; and I feelsure, if I do, that her answer will be the same. She told me in somany words; but never mind, I cannot repeat her words. "

"I don't want you to repeat them; nor yet to heed them beyond theirworth. Lily Dale is a very pretty girl; clever, too, I believe, andgood, I'm sure; but her words are not more sacred than those of othermen or women. What she has said to you now, she means, no doubt; butthe minds of men and women are prone to change, especially when suchchanges are conducive to their own happiness. "

"At any rate I'll never forget your kindness, Lord De Guest. "

"And there is one other thing I want to say to you, Johnny. A manshould never allow himself to be cast down by anything, --notoutwardly, to the eyes of other men. "

"But how is he to help it?"

"His pluck should prevent him. You were not afraid of a roaring bull, nor yet of that man when you thrashed him at the railway station. You've pluck enough of that kind. You must now show that you've thatother kind of pluck. You know the story of the boy who would not crythough the wolf was gnawing him underneath his frock. Most of us havesome wolf to gnaw us somewhere; but we are generally gnawed beneathour clothes, so that the world doesn't see; and it behoves us so tobear it that the world shall not suspect. The man who goes aboutdeclaring himself to be miserable will be not only miserable, butcontemptible as well. "

"But the wolf hasn't gnawed me beneath my clothes; everybody knowsit. "

"Then let those who do know it learn that you are able to bear suchwounds without outward complaint. I tell you fairly that I cannotsympathise with a lackadaisical lover. "

"I know that I have made myself ridiculous to everybody. I wish I hadnever come here. I wish you had never seen me. "

"Don't say that, my dear boy; but take my advice for what it isworth. And remember what it is that I say; with your grief I dosympathise, but not with any outward expression of it;--not withmelancholy looks, and a sad voice, and an unhappy gait. A man shouldalways be able to drink his wine and seem to enjoy it. If he can't, he is so much less of a man than he would be otherwise, --not so muchmore, as some people seem to think. Now get yourself dressed, my dearfellow, and come down to dinner as though nothing had happened toyou. "

As soon as the earl was gone John looked at his watch and saw thatit still wanted some forty minutes to dinner. Fifteen minutes wouldsuffice for him to dress, and therefore there was time sufficientfor him to seat himself in his arm-chair and think over it all. Hehad for a moment been very angry when his friend had told him thathe could not sympathise with a lackadaisical lover. It was anill-natured word. He felt it to be so when he heard it, and so hecontinued to think during the whole of the half-hour that he sat inthat chair. But it probably did him more good than any word that theearl had ever spoken to him, --or any other word that he could haveused. "Lackadaisical! I'm not lackadaisical, " he said to himself, jumping up from his chair, and instantly sitting down again. "Ididn't say anything to him. I didn't tell him. Why did he come tome?" And yet, though he endeavoured to abuse Lord De Guest in histhoughts, he knew that Lord De Guest was right, and that he waswrong. He knew that he had been lackadaisical, and was ashamed ofhimself; and at once resolved that he would henceforth demean himselfas though no calamity had happened to him. "I've a good mind to takehim at his word, and drink wine till I'm drunk. " Then he strove toget up his courage by a song. 

 If she be not fair for me, What care I how--

"But I do care. What stuff it is a man writing poetry and puttinginto it such lies as that! Everybody knows that he did care, --thatis, if he wasn't a heartless beast. "

But nevertheless, when the time came for him to go down into thedrawing-room he did make the effort which his friend had counselled, and walked into the room with less of that hang-dog look than theearl and Lady Julia had expected. They were both there, as was alsothe squire, and Bell followed him in less than a minute. 

"You haven't seen Crofts to-day, John, have you?" said the earl. 

"No; I haven't been anywhere his way!"

"His way! His ways are every way, I take it. I wanted him to come anddine, but he seemed to think it improper to eat two dinners in thesame house two days running. Isn't that his theory, Miss Dale?"

"I'm sure I don't know, Lord De Guest. At any rate, it isn't mine. "

So they went to their feast, and before his last chance was over JohnEames found himself able to go through the pretence of enjoying hisroast mutton. 

There can, I think, be no doubt that in all such calamities asthat which he was now suffering, the agony of the misfortune ismuch increased by the conviction that the facts of the case areknown to those round about the sufferer. A most warm-hearted andintensely-feeling young gentleman might, no doubt, eat an excellentdinner after being refused by the girl of his devotions, providedthat he had reason to believe that none of those in whose company heate it knew anything of his rejection. But the same warm-hearted andintensely-feeling young gentleman would find it very difficult togo through the ceremony with any appearance of true appetite orgastronomic enjoyment, if he were aware that all his convives knewall the facts of his little misfortune. Generally, we may suppose, a man in such condition goes to his club for his dinner, or seeksconsolation in the shades of some adjacent Richmond or Hampton Court. There he meditates on his condition in silence, and does ultimatelyenjoy his little plate of whitebait, his cutlet and his moderate pintof sherry. He probably goes alone to the theatre, and, in his stall, speculates with a somewhat bitter sarcasm on the vanity of the world. Then he returns home, sad indeed, but with a moderated sadness, andas he puffs out the smoke of his cigar at the open window, --withperhaps the comfort of a little brandy-and-water at hiselbow, --swears to himself that, "By Jove, he'll have another tryfor it. " Alone, a man may console himself, or among a crowd ofunconscious mortals; but it must be admitted that the position ofJohn Eames was severe. He had been invited down there to woo LilyDale, and the squire and Bell had been asked to be present at thewooing. Had it all gone well, nothing could have been nicer. He wouldhave been the hero of the hour, and everybody would have sung for himhis song of triumph. But everything had not gone well, and he foundit very difficult to carry himself otherwise than lackadaisically. Onthe whole, however, his effort was such that the earl gave him creditfor his demeanour, and told him when parting with him for the nightthat he was a fine fellow, and that everything should go right withhim yet. 

"And you mustn't be angry with me for speaking harshly to you, " hesaid. 

"I wasn't a bit angry. "

"Yes, you were; and I rather meant that you should be. But youmustn't go away in dudgeon. "

He stayed at the Manor House one day longer, and then he returned tohis room at the Income-tax Office, to the disagreeable sound of SirRaffle's little bell, and the much more disagreeable sound of SirRaffle's big voice. 

CHAPTER LIX

John Eames Becomes a Man

Eames, when he was half way up to London in the railway carriage, took out from his pocket a letter and read it. During the formerportion of his journey he had been thinking of other things; butgradually he had resolved that it would be better for him not tothink more of those other things for the present, and therefore hehad recourse to his letter by way of dissipating his thoughts. Itwas from Cradell, and ran as follows:--

 INCOME-TAX OFFICE, May, 186--. 

 MY DEAR JOHN, --

 I hope the tidings which I have to give you will not make you angry, and that you will not think I am untrue to the great friendship which I have for you because of that which I am now going to tell you. There is no _man_--[and the word "man" was underscored]--there is no _man_ whose regard I value so highly as I do yours; and though I feel that you can have no just ground to be displeased with me after all that I have heard you say on many occasions, nevertheless, in matters of the heart it is very hard for one person to understand the sentiments of another, and when the affections of a lady are concerned, I know that quarrels will sometimes arise. 

Eames, when he had got so far as this, on the first perusal of theletter, knew well what was to follow. "Poor Caudle!" he said tohimself; "he's hooked, and he'll never get himself off the hookagain. "

 But let that be as it may, the matter has now gone too far for any alteration to be made by me; nor would any mere earthly inducement suffice to change me. The claims of friendship are very strong, _but those of love are paramount_. Of course I know all that has passed between you and Amelia Roper. Much of this I had heard from you before, but the rest she has now told me with that pure-minded honesty which is the most remarkable feature in her character. She has confessed that at one time she felt attached to you, and that she was induced by your perseverance to allow you to regard her as your fiancy. [Fancy-girl he probably conceived to be the vulgar English for the elegant term which he used. ] But all that must be over between you now. _Amelia has promised to be mine_-- [this also was underscored]--and mine I intend that she shall be. That you may find in the kind smiles of L. D. Consolation for any disappointment which this may occasion you, is the ardent wish of your true friend, JOSEPH CRADELL. 

 P. S. --Perhaps I had better tell you the whole. Mrs Roper has been in some trouble about her house. She is a little in arrears with her rent, and some bills have not been paid. As she explained that she has been brought into this by those dreadful Lupexes, I have consented to take the house into my own hands, and have given bills to one or two tradesmen for small amounts. Of course she will take them up, but it was the credit that was wanting. She will carry on the house, but I shall, in fact, be the proprietor. I suppose it will not suit you now to remain here, but don't you think I might make it comfortable enough for some of our fellows; say half-a-dozen, or so? That is Mrs Roper's idea, and I certainly think it is not a bad one. Our first efforts must be to get rid of the Lupexes. Miss Spruce goes next week. In the meantime we are all taking our meals up in our own rooms, so that there is nothing for the Lupexes to eat. But they don't seem to mind that, and still keep the sitting-room and best bedroom. We mean to lock them out after Tuesday, and send all their boxes to the public-house. 

Poor Cradell! Eames, as he threw himself back upon his seat andcontemplated the depth of misfortune into which his friend hadfallen, began to be almost in love with his own position. He himselfwas, no doubt, a very miserable fellow. There was only one thingin life worth living for, and that he could not get. He had beenthinking for the last three days of throwing himself before alocomotive steam-engine, and was not quite sure that he would not doit yet; but, nevertheless, his place was a place among the gods ascompared to that which poor Cradell had selected for himself. Tobe not only the husband of Amelia Roper, but to have been drivento take upon himself as his bride's fortune the whole of hisfuture mother-in-law's debts! To find himself the owner of a veryindifferent lodging-house--the owner as regarded all responsibility, though not the owner as regarded any possible profit! And then, aboveand almost worse than all the rest, to find himself saddled with theLupexes in the beginning of his career! Poor Cradell indeed!

Eames had not taken his things away from the lodging-house before heleft London, and therefore determined to drive to Burton Crescentimmediately on his arrival, not with the intention of remainingthere, even for a night, but that he might bid them farewell, speakhis congratulations to Amelia, and arrange for his final settlementwith Mrs Roper. It should have been explained in the last chapterthat the earl had told him before parting with him that his want ofsuccess with Lily would make no difference as regarded money. Johnhad, of course, expostulated, saying that he did not want anything, and would not, under his existing circumstances, accept anything;but the earl was a man who knew how to have his own way, and in thismatter did have it. Our friend, therefore, was a man of wealth whenhe returned to London, and could tell Mrs Roper that he would sendher a cheque for her little balance as soon as he reached his office. 

He arrived in the middle of the day, --not timing his return at allafter the usual manner of Government clerks, who generally manage toreach the metropolis not more than half an hour before the moment atwhich they are bound to show themselves in their seats. But he hadcome back two days before he was due, and had run away from thecountry as though London in May to him were much pleasanter than thewoods and fields. But neither had London nor the woods and fields anyinfluence on his return. He had gone down that he might throw himselfat the feet of Lily Dale, --gone down, as he now confessed to himself, with hopes almost triumphant, and he had returned because Lily Dalewould not have him at her feet. "I loved him, --him, Crosbie, --betterthan all the world besides. It is still the same. I still love himbetter than all the world. " Those were the words which had driven himback to London; and having been sent away with such words as those, it was little matter to him whether he reached his office a day ortwo sooner or later. The little room in the city, even with theaccompaniment of Sir Raffle's bell and Sir Raffle's voice, would benow more congenial to him than Lady Julia's drawing-room. He wouldtherefore present himself to Sir Raffle on that very afternoon, andexpel some interloper from his seat. But he would first call inBurton Crescent and say farewell to the Ropers. 

The door was opened for him by the faithful Jemima. "Mr Heames, MrHeames! ho dear, ho dear!" and the poor girl, who had always takenhis side in the adventures of the lodging-house, raised her hands onhigh and lamented the fate which had separated her favourite from itsfortunes. "I suppose you knows it all, Mister Johnny?" Mister Johnnysaid that he believed he did know it all, and asked for the mistressof the house. "Yes, sure enough, she's at home. She don't dare stirout much, 'cause of them Lupexes. Ain't this a pretty game? No dinnerand no nothink! Them boxes is Miss Spruce's. She's agoing now, thisminute. You'll find 'em all upstairs in the drawen-room. " So upstairsinto the drawing-room he went, and there he found the mother anddaughter, and with them Miss Spruce, tightly packed up in her bonnetand shawl. "Don't, mother, " Amelia was saying; "what's the good ofgoing on in that way? If she chooses to go, let her go. "

"But she's been with me now so many years, " said Mrs Roper, sobbing;"and I've always done everything for her! Haven't I, now, SallySpruce?" It struck Eames immediately that, though he had been aninmate in the house for two years, he had never before heard thatmaiden lady's Christian name. Miss Spruce was the first to see Eamesas he entered the room. It is probable that Mrs Roper's pathos mighthave produced some answering pathos on her part had she remainedunobserved, but the sight of a young man brought her back to herusual state of quiescence. "I'm only an old woman, " said she; "andhere's Mr Eames come back again. "

"How d'ye do, Mrs Roper? how d'ye do, Amelia?--how d'ye do, MissSpruce?" and he shook hands with them all. 

"Oh, laws, " said Mrs Roper, "you have given me such a start!"

"Dear me, Mr Eames; only think of your coming back in that way, " saidAmelia. 

"Well, what way should I come back? You didn't hear me knock at thedoor, that's all. So Miss Spruce is really going to leave you?"

"Isn't it dreadful, Mr Eames? Nineteen years we've beentogether;--taking both houses together, Miss Spruce, we have, indeed. " Miss Spruce, at this point, struggled very hard to convinceJohn Eames that the period in question had in truth extended overonly eighteen years, but Mrs Roper was authoritative, and would notpermit it. "It's nineteen years if it's a day. No one ought to knowdates if I don't, and there isn't one in the world understands herways unless it's me. Haven't I been up to your bedroom every night, and with my own hand given you--" But she stopped herself, and wastoo good a woman to declare before a young man what had been thenature of her nightly ministrations to her guest. 

"I don't think you'll be so comfortable anywhere else, Miss Spruce, "said Eames. 

"Comfortable! of course she won't, " said Amelia. "But if I was motherI wouldn't have any more words about it. "

"It isn't the money I'm thinking of, but the feeling of it, " said MrsRoper. "The house will be so lonely like. I shan't know myself; thatI shan't. And now that things are all settled so pleasantly, and thatthe Lupexes must go on Tuesday--I'll tell you what, Sally; I'll payfor the cab myself, and I'll start off to Dulwich by the omnibusto-morrow, and settle it all out of my own pocket. I will indeed. Come; there's the cab. Let me go down, and send him away. "

"I'll do that, " said Eames. "It's only sixpence, off the stand, "Mrs Roper called to him as he left the room. But the cabman gota shilling, and John, as he returned, found Jemima in the act ofcarrying Miss Spruce's boxes back to her room. "So much the betterfor poor Caudle, " said he to himself. "As he has gone into the tradeit's well that he should have somebody that will pay him. "

Mrs Roper followed Miss Spruce up the stairs and Johnny was left withAmelia. "He's written to you, I know, " said she, with her face turneda little away from him. She was certainly very handsome, but therewas a hard, cross, almost sullen look about her, which robbed hercountenance of all its pleasantness. And yet she had no intention ofbeing sullen with him. 

"Yes, " said John. "He has told me how it's all going to be. "

"Well?" she said. 

"Well?" said he. 

"Is that all you've got to say?"

"I'll congratulate you, if you'll let me. "

"Psha;--congratulations! I hate such humbug. If you've no feelingsabout it, I'm sure that I've none. Indeed I don't know what's thegood of feelings. They never did me any good. Are you engaged tomarry L. D. ?"

"No, I am not. "

"And you've nothing else to say to me?"

"Nothing, --except my hopes for your happiness. What else can I say?You are engaged to marry my friend Cradell, and I think it will be ahappy match. "

She turned away her face further from him, and the look of it becameeven more sullen. Could it be possible that at such a moment shestill had a hope that he might come back to her?

"Good-bye, Amelia, " he said, putting out his hand to her. 

"And this is to be the last of you in this house!"

"Well, I don't know about that. I'll come and call upon you, ifyou'll let me, when you're married. "

"Yes, " she said, "that there may be rows in the house, and noise, andjealousy, --as there have been with that wicked woman upstairs. Not ifI know it, you won't! John Eames, I wish I'd never seen you. I wishwe might have both fallen dead when we first met. I didn't think everto have cared for a man as I have cared for you. It's all trash andnonsense and foolery; I know that. It's all very well for youngladies as can sit in drawing-rooms all their lives, but when a womanhas her way to make in the world it's all foolery. And such a hardway too to make as mine is!"

"But it won't be hard now. "

"Won't it? But I think it will. I wish you would try it. Not that I'mgoing to complain. I never minded work, and as for company, I can putup with anybody. The world's not to be all dancing and fiddling forthe likes of me. I know that well enough. But--" and then she paused. 

"What's the 'but' about, Amelia?"

"It's like you to ask me; isn't it?" To tell the truth he should nothave asked her. "Never mind. I'm not going to have any words withyou. If you've been a knave I've been a fool, and that's worse. "

"But I don't think I have been a knave. "

"I've been both, " said the girl; "and both for nothing. After thatyou may go. I've told you what I am, and I'll leave you to nameyourself. I didn't think it was in me to have been such a fool. It'sthat that frets me. Never mind, sir; it's all over now, and I wishyou good-bye. "

I do not think that there was the slightest reason why John shouldhave again kissed her at parting, but he did so. She bore it, notstruggling with him; but she took his caress with sullen endurance. "It'll be the last, " she said. "Good-bye, John Eames. "

"Good-bye, Amelia. Try to make him a good wife and then you'llbe happy. " She turned up her nose at this, assuming a look ofunutterable scorn. But she said nothing further, and then he left theroom. At the parlour door he met Mrs Roper, and had his parting wordswith her. 

"I am so glad you came, " said she. "It was just that word you saidthat made Miss Spruce stay. Her money is so ready, you know! And soyou've had it all out with her about Cradell. She'll make him a goodwife, she will indeed;--much better than you've been giving hercredit for. "

"I don't doubt she'll be a very good wife. "

"You see, Mr Eames, it's all over now, and we understand each other;don't we? It made me very unhappy when she was setting her cap atyou; it did indeed. She is my own daughter, and I couldn't go againsther;--could I? But I knew it wasn't in any way suiting. Laws, I knowthe difference. She's good enough for him any day of the week, MrEames. "

"That she is, --Saturdays or Sundays, " said Johnny, not knowingexactly what he ought to say. 

"So she is; and if he does his duty by her she won't go astray inhers by him. And as for you, Mr Eames, I am sure I've always felt itan honour and a pleasure to have you in the house; and if ever youcould use a good word in sending to me any of your young men, I'd doby them as a mother should; I would indeed. I know I've been to blameabout those Lupexes, but haven't I suffered for it, Mr Eames? And itwas difficult to know at first; wasn't it? And as to you and Amelia, if you would send any of your young men to try, there couldn't beanything more of that kind, could there? I know it hasn't all beenjust as it should have been--that is as regards you; but I shouldlike to hear you say that you've found me honest before you went. I have tried to be honest, I have indeed. "

Eames assured her that he was convinced of her honesty, and thathe had never thought of impugning her character either in regardto those unfortunate people, the Lupexes, or in reference to othermatters. "He did not think, " he said, "that any young men wouldconsult him as to their lodgings; but if he could be of any serviceto her, he would. " Then he bade her good-bye, and having bestowedhalf-a-sovereign on the faithful Jemima, he took a long farewell ofBurton Crescent. Amelia had told him not to come and see her when sheshould be married, and he had resolved that he would take her at herword. So he walked off from the Crescent, not exactly shaking thedust from his feet, but resolving that he would know no more eitherof its dust or of its dirt. Dirt enough he had encountered therecertainly, and he was now old enough to feel that the inmates of MrsRoper's house had not been those among whom a resting-place for hisearly years should judiciously have been sought. But he had come outof the fire comparatively unharmed, and I regret to say that he feltbut little for the terrible scorchings to which his friend had beensubjected and was about to subject himself. He was quite content tolook at the matter exactly as it was looked at by Mrs Roper. Ameliawas good enough for Joseph Cradell--any day of the week. PoorCradell, of whom in these pages after this notice no more will beheard! I cannot but think that a hard measure of justice was metedout to him, in proportion to the extent of his sins. More weak andfoolish than our friend and hero he had been, but not to my knowledgemore wicked. But it is to the vain and foolish that the punishmentsfall;--and to them they fall so thickly and constantly that thethinker is driven to think that vanity and folly are of all sinsthose which may be the least forgiven. As for Cradell I may declarethat he did marry Amelia, that he did, with some pride, take theplace of master of the house at the bottom of Mrs Roper's table, and that he did make himself responsible for all Mrs Roper's debts. Of his future fortunes there is not space to speak in these pages. 

Going away from the Crescent, Eames had himself driven to his office, which he reached just as the men were leaving it, at four o'clock. Cradell was gone, so that he did not see him on that afternoon; buthe had an opportunity of shaking hands with Mr Love, who treatedhim with all the smiling courtesy due to an official bigwig, --fora private secretary, if not absolutely a big-wig, is semi-big, andentitled to a certain amount of reverence;--and he passed Mr Kissingin the passage, hurrying along as usual with a huge book under hisarm. Mr Kissing, hurried as he was, stopped his shuffling feet;but Eames only looked at him, hardly honouring him with theacknowledgment of a nod of his head. Mr Kissing, however, wasnot offended; he knew that the private secretary of the FirstCommissioner had been the guest of an earl; and what more than a nodcould be expected from him? After that John made his way into theaugust presence of Sir Raffle, and found that great man putting onhis shoes in the presence of FitzHoward. FitzHoward blushed; but theshoes had not been touched by him, as he took occasion afterwards toinform John Eames. 

Sir Raffle was all smiles and civility. "Delighted to see you back, Eames: am, upon my word; though I and FitzHoward have got oncapitally in your absence; haven't we, FitzHoward?"

"Oh, yes, " drawled FitzHoward. "I haven't minded it for a time, justwhile Eames has been away. "

"You're much too idle to keep at it, I know; but your bread will bebuttered for you elsewhere, so it doesn't signify. My compliments tothe duchess when you see her. " Then FitzHoward went. "And how's mydear old friend?" asked Sir Raffle, as though of all men living LordDe Guest were the one for whom he had the strongest and the oldestlove. And yet he must have known that John Eames knew as much aboutit as he did himself. But there are men who have the most livelygratification in calling lords and marquises their friends, thoughthey know that nobody believes a word of what they say, --even thoughthey know how great is the odium they incur, and how lasting is theridicule which their vanity produces. It is a gentle insanity whichprevails in the outer courts of every aristocracy; and as it bringswith itself considerable annoyance and but a lukewarm pleasure, itshould not be treated with too keen a severity. 

"And how's my dear old friend?" Eames assured him that his dear oldfriend was all right, that Lady Julia was all right, that the dearold place was all right. Sir Raffle now spoke as though the "dearold place" were quite well known to him. "Was the game doing prettywell? Was there a promise of birds?" Sir Raffle's anxiety was quiteintense, and expressed with almost familiar affection. "And, by-the-by, Eames, where are you living at present?"

"Well, I'm not settled. I'm at the Great Western Railway Hotel atthis moment. "

"Capital house, very; only it's expensive if you stay there the wholeseason. " Johnny had no idea of remaining there beyond one night, buthe said nothing as to this. "By-the-by, you might as well come anddine with us to-morrow. Lady Buffle is most anxious to know you. There'll be one or two with us. I did ask my friend Dumbello, butthere's some nonsense going on in the House, and he thinks that hecan't get away. " Johnny was more gracious than Lord Dumbello, andaccepted the invitation. "I wonder what Lady Buffle will be like?"he said to himself, as he walked away from the office. 

He had turned into the Great Western Hotel, not as yet knowing whereto look for a home; and there we will leave him, eating his solitarymutton-chop at one of those tables which are so comfortable to theeye, but which are so comfortless in reality. I speak not now withreference to the excellent establishment which has been named, but tothe nature of such tables in general. A solitary mutton-chop in anhotel coffee-room is not a banquet to be envied by any god; and ifthe mutton-chop be converted into soup, fish, little dishes, bigdishes, and the rest, the matter becomes worse and not better. Whatcomfort are you to have, seated alone on that horsehair chair, staring into the room and watching the waiters as they whisk abouttheir towels? No one but an Englishman has ever yet thought ofsubjecting himself to such a position as that! But here we will leaveJohn Eames, and in doing so I must be allowed to declare that onlynow, at this moment, has he entered on his manhood. Hitherto hehas been a hobbledehoy, --a calf, as it were, who had carried hiscalfishness later into life than is common with calves; but who didnot, perhaps, on that account, give promise of making a worse ox thanthe rest of them. His life hitherto, as recorded in these pages, hadafforded him no brilliant success, had hardly qualified him for therole of hero which he has been made to play. I feel that I havebeen in fault in giving such prominence to a hobbledehoy, and thatI should have told my story better had I brought Mr Crosbie moreconspicuously forward on my canvas. He at any rate has gotten tohimself a wife--as a hero always should do; whereas I must leave mypoor friend Johnny without any matrimonial prospects. 

It was thus that he thought of himself as he sat moping over hissolitary table in the hotel coffee-room. He acknowledged to himselfthat he had not hitherto been a man; but at the same time he madesome resolution which, I trust, may assist him in commencing hismanhood from this date. 

CHAPTER LX

Conclusion

It was early in June that Lily went up to her uncle at the GreatHouse, pleading for Hopkins, --pleading that to Hopkins might berestored all the privileges of head gardener at the Great House. There was some absurdity in this, seeing that he had never reallyrelinquished his privileges; but the manner of the quarrel had beenin this wise. 

There was in those days, and had been for years, a vexed questionbetween Hopkins and Jolliffe the bailiff on the matter of stablemanure. Hopkins had pretended to the right of taking what he requiredfrom the farmyard, without asking leave of any one. Jolliffe inreturn had hinted, that if this were so, Hopkins would take it all. "But I can't eat it, " Hopkins had said. Jolliffe merely grunted, signifying by the grunt, as Hopkins thought, that though a gardenercouldn't eat a mountain of manure fifty feet long and fifteenhigh, --couldn't eat in the body, --he might convert it into thingsedible for his own personal use. And so there had been a great feud. The unfortunate squire had of course been called on to arbitrate, andhaving postponed his decision by every contrivance possible to him, had at last been driven by Jolliffe to declare that Hopkins shouldtake nothing that was not assigned to him. Hopkins, when the decisionwas made known to him by his master, bit his old lips, and turnedround upon his old heel, speechless. "You'll find it's so at allother places, " said the squire, apologetically. "Other places!"sneered Hopkins. Where would he find other gardeners like himself?It is hardly necessary to declare that from that moment he resolvedthat he would abide by no such order. Jolliffe on the next morninginformed the squire that the order had been broken, and the squirefretted and fumed, wishing that Jolliffe were well buried under themountain in question. "If they all is to do as they like, " saidJolliffe, "then nobody won't care for nobody. " The squire understoodthan an order if given must be obeyed, and therefore, with many innergroanings of the spirit, resolved that war must be waged againstHopkins. 

On the following morning he found the old man himself wheeling a hugebarrow of manure round from the yard into the kitchen-garden. Now, onordinary occasions, Hopkins was not required to do with his own handswork of that description. He had a man under him who hewed wood, andcarried water, and wheeled barrows, --one man always, and often two. The squire knew when he saw him that he was sinning, and bade himstop upon his road. 

"Hopkins, " he said, "why didn't you ask for what you wanted, beforeyou took it?" The old man put down the barrow on the ground, lookedup in his master's face, spat into his hands, and then again resumedhis barrow. "Hopkins, that won't do, " said the squire. "Stop whereyou are. "

"What won't do?" said Hopkins, still holding the barrow from theground, but not as yet progressing. 

"Put it down, Hopkins, " and Hopkins did put it down. "Don't you knowthat you are flatly disobeying my orders?"

"Squire, I've been here about this place going on nigh seventyyears. "

"If you've been going on a hundred and seventy it wouldn't do thatthere should be more than one master. I'm the master here, and Iintend to be so to the end. Take that manure back into the yard. "

"Back into the yard?" said Hopkins, very slowly. 

"Yes; back into the yard. "

"What, --afore all their faces?"

"Yes; you've disobeyed me before all their faces?"

Hopkins paused a moment, looking away from the squire, and shakinghis head as though he had need of deep thought, but by the aid ofdeep thought had come at last to a right conclusion. Then he resumedthe barrow, and putting himself almost into a trot, carried away hisprize into the kitchen-garden. At the pace which he went it wouldhave been beyond the squire's power to stop him, nor would Mr Dalehave wished to come to a personal encounter with his servant. But hecalled after the man in dire wrath that if he were not obeyed thedisobedient servant should rue the consequences for ever. Hopkins, equal to the occasion, shook his head as he trotted on, deposited hisload at the foot of the cucumber-frames, and then at once returningto his master, tendered to him the key of the greenhouse. 

"Master, " said Hopkins, speaking as best he could with his scantybreath, "there it is;--there's the key; of course I don't want nowarning, and doesn't care about my week's wages. I'll be out of thecottage afore night, and as for the work'us, I suppose they'll let mein at once, if your honour'll give 'em a line. "

Now as Hopkins was well known by the squire to be the owner of threeor four hundred pounds, the hint about the workhouse must be allowedto have been melodramatic. 

"Don't be a fool, " said the squire, almost gnashing his teeth. 

"I know I've been a fool, " said Hopkins, "about that 'ere doong; myfeelings has been too much for me. When a man's feelings has beentoo much for him, he'd better just take hisself off, and lie in thework'us till he dies. " And then he again tendered the key. But thesquire did not take the key, and so Hopkins went on. "I s'pose I'dbetter just see to the lights and the like of that, till you'vesuited yourself, Mr Dale. It 'ud be a pity all them grapes should gooff, and they, as you may say, all one as fit for the table. It's along way the best crop I ever see on 'em. I've been that careful with'em that I haven't had a natural night's rest, not since February. There ain't nobody about this place as understands grapes, nor yetanywhere nigh that could be got at. My lord's head man is weryignorant; but even if he knew ever so, of course he couldn't comehere. I suppose I'd better keep the key till you're suited, Mr Dale. "

Then for a fortnight there was an interregnum in the gardens, terrible in the annals of Allington. Hopkins lived in his cottageindeed, and looked most sedulously after the grapes. In looking afterthe grapes, too, he took the greenhouses under his care; but he wouldhave nothing to do with the outer gardens, took no wages, returningthe amount sent to him back to the squire, and insisted witheverybody that he had been dismissed. He went about with someterrible horticultural implement always in his hand, with which itwas said that he intended to attack Jolliffe; but Jolliffe prudentlykept out of his way. 

As soon as it had been resolved by Mrs Dale and Lily that theflitting from the Small House at Allington was not to beaccomplished, Lily communicated the fact to Hopkins. 

"Miss, " said he, "when I said them few words to you and your mamma, Iknew that you would listen to reason. "

This was no more than Lily had expected; that Hopkins should claimthe honour of having prevailed by his arguments was a matter ofcourse. 

"Yes, " said Lily; "we've made up our minds to stay. Uncle wishes it. "

"Wishes it! Laws, miss; it ain't only wishes. And we all wishes it. Why, now, look at the reason of the thing. Here's this here house--"

"But, Hopkins, it's decided. We're going to stay. What I want to knowis this; can you come at once and help me to unpack?"

"What! this very evening, as is--"

"Yes, now; we want to have the things about again before they comeback from Guestwick. "

Hopkins scratched his head and hesitated, not wishing to yield to anyproposition that could be considered as childish; but he gave way atlast, feeling that the work itself was a good work. Mrs Dale alsoassented, laughing at Lily for her folly as she did so, and in thisway the things were unpacked very quickly, and the alliance betweenLily and Hopkins became, for the time, very close. This work ofunpacking and resettling was not yet over, when the battle of themanure broke out, and therefore it was that Hopkins, when hisfeelings had become altogether too much for him "about the doong, "came at last to Lily, and laying down at her feet all the weight andall the glory of his sixty odd years of life, implored her to makematters straight for him. "It's been a killing me, miss, so it has;to see the way they've been a cutting that 'sparagus. It ain'tcutting at all. It's just hocking it up;--what is fit, and whatisn't, all together. And they've been a-putting the plants in whereI didn't mean 'em, though they know'd I didn't mean 'em. I've stoodby, miss, and said never a word. I'd a died sooner. But, MissLily, what my sufferings have been, 'cause of my feelings gettingthe better of me about that--you know, miss--nobody will evertell;--nobody--nobody--nobody. " Then Hopkins turned away and wept. 

"Uncle, " said Lily, creeping close up against his chair, "I want toask you a great favour. "

"A great favour. Well, I don't think I shall refuse you anything atpresent. It isn't to ask another earl to the house, --is it?"

"Another earl!" said Lily. 

"Yes; haven't you heard? Miss Bell has been here this morning, insisting that I should have over Lord De Guest and his sister forthe marriage. It seems that there was some scheming between Bell andLady Julia. "

"Of course you'll ask them. "

"Of course I must. I've no way out of it. It'll be all very well forBell, who'll be off to Wales with her lover; but what am I to do withthe earl and Lady Julia, when they're gone? Will you come and helpme?"

In answer to this, Lily of course promised that she would come andhelp. "Indeed, " said she, "I thought we were all asked up for theday. And now for my favour. Uncle, you must forgive poor Hopkins. "

"Forgive a fiddlestick!" said the squire. 

"No, but you must. You can't think how unhappy he is. "

"How can I forgive a man who won't forgive me. He goes prowling aboutthe place doing nothing; and he sends me back his wages, and helooks as though he were going to murder some one; and all because hewouldn't do as he was told. How am I to forgive such a man as that?"

"But, uncle, why not?"

"It would be his forgiving me. He knows very well that he may comeback whenever he pleases; and, indeed, for the matter of that he hasnever gone away. "

"But he is so very unhappy. "

"What can I do to make him happier?"

"Just go down to his cottage and tell him that you forgive him. "

"Then he'll argue with me. "

"No; I don't think he will. He is too much down in the world forarguing now. "

"Ah! you don't know him as I do. All the misfortunes in the worldwouldn't stop that man's conceit. Of course I'll go if you ask me, but it seems to me that I'm made to knock under to everybody. I heara great deal about other people's feelings, but I don't know thatmine are very much thought of. " He was not altogether in a happymood, and Lily almost regretted that she had persevered; but she didsucceed in carrying him off across the garden to the cottage, andas they went together she promised him that she would think of himalways, --always. The scene with Hopkins cannot be described now, asit would take too many of our few remaining pages. It resulted, I amafraid I must confess, in nothing more triumphant to the squire thana treaty of mutual forgiveness. Hopkins acknowledged, with muchself-reproach, that his feelings had been too many for him; but then, look at his provocation! He could not keep his tongue from thatmatter, and certainly said as much in his own defence as he did inconfession of his sins. The substantial triumph was altogether his, for nobody again ever dared to interfere with his operations in thefarmyard. He showed his submission to his master mainly by consentingto receive his wages for the two weeks which he had passed inidleness. 

Owing to this little accident, Lily was not so much oppressed byHopkins as she had expected to be in that matter of their alteredplans; but this salvation did not extend to Mrs Hearn, to Mrs Crump, or, above all, to Mrs Boyce. They, all of them, took an interest moreor less strong in the Hopkins controversy; but their interest in theoccupation of the Small House was much stronger, and it was founduseless to put Mrs Hearn off with the gardener's persistent refusalof his wages, when she was big with inquiry whether the house was tobe painted inside, as well as out. "Ah, " said she, "I think I'll goand look at lodgings at Guestwick myself, and pack up some of mybeds. " Lily made no answer to this, feeling that it was a part ofthat punishment which she had expected. "Dear, dear, " said Mrs Crumpto the two girls; "well, to be sure, we should 'a been 'lone without'ee, and mayhap we might 'a got worse in your place; but why did 'eego and fasten up all your things in them big boxes, just to unfasten'em all again?"

"We changed our minds, Mrs Crump, " said Bell, with some severity. 

"Yees, I know ye changed your mindses. Well, it's all right for loikso' ye, no doubt; but if we changes our mindses, we hears of it. "

"So, it seems, do we!" said Lily. "But never mind, Mrs Crump. Do yousend us our letters up early, and then we won't quarrel. "

"Oh, letters! Drat them for letters. I wish there weren't no sichthings. There was a man here yesterday with his imperence. I don'tknow where he come from, --down from Lun'on, I b'leeve: and this waswrong, and that was wrong, and everything was wrong; and then he saidhe'd have me discharged the sarvice. "

"Dear me, Mrs Crump; that wouldn't do at all. "

"Discharged the sarvice! Tuppence farden a day. So I told 'un todischarge hisself, and take all the old bundles and things awayupon his shoulders. Letters indeed! What business have they withpost-missusses, if they cannot pay 'em better nor tuppence fardena day?" And in this way, under the shelter of Mrs Crump's stormof wrath against the inspector who had visited her, Lily and Bellescaped much that would have fallen upon their own heads; but MrsBoyce still remained. I may here add, in order that Mrs Crump'shistory may be carried on to the farthest possible point, that shewas not "discharged the sarvice, " and that she still receives hertwopence farthing a day from the Crown. "That's a bitter old lady, "said the inspector to the man who was driving him. "Yes, sir; theyall says the same about she. There ain't none of 'em get much changeout of Mrs Crump. "

Bell and Lily went together also to Mrs Boyce's. "If she makesherself very disagreeable, I shall insist upon talking of yourmarriage, " said Lily. 

"I've not the slightest objection, " said Bell; "only I don't knowwhat there can be to say about it. Marrying the doctor is such a verycommonplace sort of thing. "

"Not a bit more commonplace than marrying the parson, " said Lily. 

"Oh, yes, it is. Parsons' marriages are often very grand affairs. They come in among county people. That's their luck in life. Doctorsnever do; nor lawyers. I don't think lawyers ever get married inthe country. They're supposed to do it up in London. But a countrydoctor's wedding is not a thing to be talked about much. "

Mrs Boyce probably agreed in this view of the matter, seeing thatshe did not choose the coming marriage as her first subject ofconversation. As soon as the two girls were seated she flew awayimmediately to the house, and began to express her very greatsurprise, --her surprise and her joy also, --at the sudden change whichhad been made in their plans. "It is so much nicer, you know, " saidshe, "that things should be pleasant among relatives. "

"Things always have been tolerably pleasant with us, " said Bell. 

"Oh, yes; I'm sure of that. I've always said it was quite a pleasureto see you and your uncle together. And when we heard about your allhaving to leave--"

"But we didn't have to leave, Mrs Boyce. We were going to leavebecause we thought mamma would be more comfortable in Guestwick;and now we're not going to leave, because we've all 'changed ourmindses, ' as Mrs Crump calls it. "

"And is it true the house is going to be painted?" asked Mrs Boyce. 

"I believe it is true, " said Lily. 

"Inside and out?"

"It must be done some day, " said Bell. 

"Yes, to be sure; but I must say it is generous of the squire. There's such a deal of wood-work about your house. I know I wish theEcclesiastical Commissioners would paint ours; but nobody ever doesanything for the clergy. I'm sure I'm delighted you're going to stay. As I said to Mr Boyce, what should we ever have done without you? Ibelieve the squire had made up his mind that he would not let theplace. "

"I don't think he ever has let it. "

"And if there was nobody in it, it would all go to rack and ruin;wouldn't it? Had your mamma to pay anything for the lodgings sheengaged at Guestwick?"

"Upon my word, I don't know. Bell can tell you better about thatthan I, as Dr Crofts settled it. I suppose Dr Crofts tells hereverything. " And so the conversation was changed, and Mrs Boyce wasmade to understand that whatever further mystery there might be, itwould not be unravelled on that occasion. 

It was settled that Dr Crofts and Bell should be married about themiddle of June, and the squire determined to give what grace he couldto the ceremony by opening his own house on the occasion. Lord DeGuest and Lady Julia were invited by special arrangement between herladyship and Bell, as has been before explained. The colonel alsowith Lady Fanny came up from Torquay on the occasion, this being thefirst visit made by the colonel to his paternal roof for many years. Bernard did not accompany his father. He had not yet gone abroad, butthere were circumstances which made him feel that he would not findhimself comfortable at the wedding. The service was performed byMr Boyce, assisted, as the _County Chronicle_ very fully remarked, by the Reverend John Joseph Jones, M. A. , late of Jesus College, Cambridge, and curate of St. Peter's, Northgate, Guestwick; thefault of which little advertisement was this, --that as none of thereaders of the paper had patience to get beyond the Reverend JohnJoseph Jones, the fact of Bell's marriage with Dr Crofts was notdisseminated as widely as might have been wished. 

The marriage went off very nicely. The squire was upon his very bestbehaviour, and welcomed his guests as though he really enjoyed theirpresence there in his halls. Hopkins, who was quite aware that he hadbeen triumphant, decorated the old rooms with mingled flowers andgreenery with an assiduous care which pleased the two girls mightily. And during this work of wreathing and decking there was one littlemorsel of feeling displayed which may as well be told in these lastlines. Lily had been encouraging the old man while Bell for a momenthad been absent. 

"I wish it had been for thee, my darling!" he said; "I wish it hadbeen for thee!"

"It is much better as it is, Hopkins, " she answered, solemnly. 

"Not with him, though, " he went on, "not with him. I wouldn't 'a hunga bough for him. But with t'other one. "

Lily said no word further. She knew that the man was expressing thewishes of all around her. She said no word further, and then Bellreturned to them. 

But no one at the wedding was so gay as Lily, --so gay, so bright, and so wedding-like. She flirted with the old earl till he declaredthat he would marry her himself. No one seeing her that evening, andknowing nothing of her immediate history, would have imagined thatshe herself had been cruelly jilted some six or eight months ago. Andthose who did know her could not imagine that what she then sufferedhad hit her so hard, that no recovery seemed possible for her. But though no recovery, as she herself believed, was possible forher--though she was as a man whose right arm had been taken from himin the battle, still all the world had not gone with that right arm. The bullet which had maimed her sorely had not touched her life, andshe scorned to go about the world complaining either by word or lookof the injury she had received. "Wives when they have lost theirhusbands still eat and laugh, " she said to herself, "and he is notdead like that. " So she resolved that she would be happy, and I heredeclare that she not only seemed to carry out her resolution, butthat she did carry it out in very truth. "You're a dear good man, and I know you'll be good to her, " she said to Crofts just as he wasabout to start with his bride. 

"I'll try, at any rate, " he answered. 

"And I shall expect you to be good to me too. Remember you havemarried the whole family; and, sir, you mustn't believe a word ofwhat that bad man says in his novels about mothers-in-law. He hasdone a great deal of harm, and shut half the ladies in England out oftheir daughters' houses. "

"He shan't shut Mrs Dale out of mine. "

"Remember he doesn't. Now, good-bye. " So the bride and bridegroomwent off, and Lily was left to flirt with Lord De Guest. 

Of whom else is it necessary that a word or two should be said beforeI allow the weary pen to fall from my hand? The squire, after muchinward struggling on the subject, had acknowledged to himself thathis sister-in-law had not received from him that kindness which shehad deserved. He had acknowledged this, purporting to do his best toamend his past errors; and I think I may say that his efforts in thatline would not be received ungraciously by Mrs Dale. I am inclined, therefore, to think that life at Allington, both at the Great Houseand at the Small, would soon become pleasanter than it used to be informer days. Lily soon got the Balmoral boots, or, at least, soonlearned that the power of getting them as she pleased had devolvedupon her from her uncle's gift; so that she talked even of buying thesquirrel's cage; but I am not aware that her extravagance led her asfar as that. 

Lord de Courcy we left suffering dreadfully from gout and ill-temperat Courcy Castle. Yes, indeed! To him in his latter days life did notseem to offer much that was comfortable. His wife had now gone fromhim, and declared positively to her son-in-law that no earthlyconsideration should ever induce her to go back again;--"not if Iwere to starve!" she said. By which she intended to signify that shewould be firm in her resolve, even though she should thereby loseher carriage and horses. Poor Mr Gazebee went down to Courcy, andhad a dreadful interview with the earl; but matters were at lastarranged, and her ladyship remained at Baden-Baden in a state ofsemi-starvation. That is to say, she had but one horse to hercarriage. 

As regards Crosbie, I am inclined to believe that he did againrecover his power at his office. He was Mr Butterwell's master, andthe master also of Mr Optimist, and the major. He knew his business, and could do it, which was more, perhaps, than might fairly be saidof any of the other three. Under such circumstances he was sure toget in his hand, and lead again. But elsewhere his star did notrecover its ascendancy. He dined at his club almost daily, and therewere those with whom he habitually formed some little circle. But hewas not the Crosbie of former days, --the Crosbie known in Belgraviaand in St. James's Street. He had taken his little vessel bravely outinto the deep waters, and had sailed her well while fortune stuckclose to him. But he had forgotten his nautical rules, and successhad made him idle. His plummet and lead had not been used, and he hadkept no look-out ahead. Therefore the first rock he met shivered hisbark to pieces. His wife, the Lady Alexandrina, is to be seen in theone-horse carriage with her mother at Baden-Baden.