isthat
Lady
Montfort
?
Do
you
know
,
I
never
saw
her
before
.
”
“
Yes
;
that
is
the
famous
Berengaria
,
the
Queen
of
Society
,
and
the
genius
of
Whiggism
.
”
In
the
evening
,
a
great
lady
,
who
was
held
to
have
the
finest
voice
in
society
,
favoured
them
with
a
splendid
specimen
of
her
commanding
skill
,
and
then
Adriana
was
induced
to
gratify
her
friends
with
a
song
,
“
only
one
song
,
”
and
that
only
on
condition
that
Myra
should
accompany
her
.
Miss
Neuchatel
had
a
sweet
and
tender
voice
,
and
it
had
been
finely
cultivated
;
she
would
have
been
more
than
charming
if
she
had
only
taken
interest
in
anything
she
herself
did
,
or
believed
for
a
moment
that
she
could
interest
others
.
When
she
ceased
,
a
gentleman
approached
the
instrument
and
addressed
her
in
terms
of
sympathy
and
deferential
praise
.
Myra
recognised
the
knight
of
the
garter
who
had
sat
next
to
Lady
Montfort
.
He
was
somewhat
advanced
in
middle
life
,
tall
and
of
a
stately
presence
,
with
a
voice
more
musical
even
than
the
tones
which
had
recently
enchanted
every
one
.
His
countenance
was
impressive
,
a
truly
Olympian
brow
,
but
the
lower
part
of
the
face
indicated
not
feebleness
,
but
flexibility
,
and
his
mouth
was
somewhat
sensuous
.
His
manner
was
at
once
winning
;
natural
,
and
singularly
unaffected
,
and
seemed
to
sympathise
entirely
with
those
whom
he
addressed
.
“
But
I
have
never
been
at
Hainault
,
”
said
the
gentleman
,
continuing
a
conversation
,
“
and
therefore
could
not
hear
the
nightingales
.
I
am
content
you
have
brought
one
of
them
to
town
.
”
“
Nightingales
disappear
in
June
,
”
said
Miss
Ferrars
;
“
so
our
season
will
be
short
.
”
“
And
where
do
they
travel
to
?
”
asked
the
gentleman
.
“
Ah
!
that
is
a
mystery
,
”
said
Myra
.
“
You
must
ask
Miss
Neuchatel
.
”
“
But
she
will
not
tell
me
,
”
said
the
gentleman
,
for
in
truth
Miss
Neuchatel
,
though
he
had
frequently
addressed
her
,
had
scarcely
opened
her
lips
.
“
Tell
your
secret
,
Adriana
,
”
said
Miss
Ferrars
,
trying
to
force
her
to
converse
.
“
Adriana
!
”
said
the
gentleman
.
“
What
a
beautiful
name
!
You
look
with
that
flower
,
Miss
Neuchatel
,
like
a
bride
of
Venice
.
”
“
Nay
,
”
said
Myra
;
“
the
bride
of
Venice
was
a
stormy
ocean
.
”
“
And
have
you
a
Venetian
name
?
”
asked
the
gentleman
.
There
was
a
pause
,
and
then
Miss
Neuchatel
,
with
an
effort
,
murmured
,
“
She
has
a
very
pretty
name
.
Her
name
is
Myra
.
”
“
She
seems
to
deserve
it
,
”
said
the
gentleman
.
“
So
you
like
my
daughter’s
singing
,
”
said
Mr.
Neuchatel
,
coming
up
to
them
.
“
She
does
not
much
like
singing
in
public
,
but
she
is
a
very
good
girl
,
and
always
gives
me
a
song
when
I
come
home
from
business
.
”
“
Fortunate
man
!
”
said
the
gentleman
.
“
I
wish
somebody
would
sing
to
me
when
I
come
home
from
business
.
”
“
You
should
marry
,
my
lord
,
”
said
Mr.
Neuchatel
,
“
and
get
your
wife
to
sing
to
you
.
Is
it
not
so
,
Miss
Ferrars
?
By
the
by
,
I
ought
to
introduce
you
to
—
Lord
Roehampton
.
”
CHAPTER
XXXIX
The
Earl
of
Roehampton
was
the
strongest
member
of
the
government
,
except
,
of
course
,
the
premier
himself
.
He
was
the
man
from
whose
combined
force
and
flexibility
of
character
the
country
had
confidence
that
in
all
their
councils
there
would
be
no
lack
of
courage
,
yet
tempered
with
adroit
discretion
.
Lord
Roehampton
,
though
an
Englishman
,
was
an
Irish
peer
,
and
was
resolved
to
remain
so
,
for
he
fully
appreciated
the
position
,
which
united
social
distinction
with
the
power
of
a
seat
in
the
House
of
Commons
.
He
was
a
very
ambitious
,
and
,
as
it
was
thought
,
worldly
man
,
deemed
even
by
many
to
be
unscrupulous
,
and
yet
he
was
romantic
.
A
great
favourite
in
society
,
and
especially
with
the
softer
sex
,
somewhat
late
in
life
,
he
had
married
suddenly
a
beautiful
woman
,
who
was
without
fortune
,
and
not
a
member
of
the
enchanted
circle
in
which
he
flourished
.
The
union
had
been
successful
,
for
Lord
Roehampton
was
gifted
with
a
sweet
temper
,
and
,
though
people
said
he
had
no
heart
,
with
a
winning
tenderness
of
disposition
,
or
at
least
of
manner
,
which
at
the
same
time
charmed
and
soothed
.
He
had
been
a
widower
for
two
years
,
and
the
world
was
of
opinion
that
he
ought
to
marry
again
,
and
form
this
time
a
becoming
alliance
.
In
addition
to
his
many
recommendations
he
had
now
the
inestimable
reputation
,
which
no
one
had
ever
contemplated
for
him
,
of
having
been
a
good
husband
.
Berengaria
,
Countess
of
Montfort
,
was
a
great
friend
of
Lord
Roehampton
.
She
was
accustomed
to
describe
herself
as
“
the
last
of
his
conquests
,
”
and
though
Lord
Roehampton
read
characters
and
purposes
with
a
glance
,
and
was
too
sagacious
to
be
deceived
by
any
one
,
even
by
himself
,
his
gratified
taste
,
for
he
scarcely
had
vanity
,
cherished
the
bright
illusion
of
which
he
was
conscious
,
and
he
responded
to
Lady
Montfort
half
sportively
,
half
seriously
,
with
an
air
of
flattered
devotion
.
Lord
Roehampton
had
inherited
an
ample
estate
,
and
he
had
generally
been
in
office
;
for
he
served
his
apprenticeship
under
Perceval
and
Liverpool
,
and
changed
his
party
just
in
time
to
become
a
member
of
the
Cabinet
of
1831.
Yet
with
all
these
advantages
,
whether
it
were
the
habit
of
his
life
,
which
was
ever
profuse
,
or
that
neglect
of
his
private
interests
which
almost
inevitably
accompanies
the
absorbing
duties
of
public
life
,
his
affairs
were
always
somewhat
confused
,
and
Lady
Montfort
,
who
wished
to
place
him
on
a
pinnacle
,
had
resolved
that
he
should
marry
an
heiress
.
After
long
observation
and
careful
inquiry
and
prolonged
reflection
,
the
lady
she
had
fixed
upon
was
Miss
Neuchatel
;
and
she
it
was
who
had
made
Lord
Roehampton
cross
the
room
and
address
Adriana
after
her
song
.
“
He
is
not
young
,
”
reasoned
Lady
Montfort
to
herself
,
“
but
his
mind
and
manner
are
young
,
and
that
is
everything
.
I
am
sure
I
meet
youth
every
day
who
,
compared
with
Lord
Roehampton
,
could
have
no
chance
with
my
sex
—
men
who
can
neither
feel
,
nor
think
,
nor
converse
.
And
then
he
is
famous
,
and
powerful
,
and
fashionable
,
and
knows
how
to
talk
to
women
.
And
this
must
all
tell
with
a
banker’s
daughter
,
dying
,
of
course
,
to
be
a
grande
dame
.
It
will
do
.
He
may
not
be
young
,
but
he
is
irresistible
.
And
the
father
will
like
it
,
for
he
told
me
in
confidence
,
at
dinner
,
that
he
wished
Lord
Roehampton
to
be
prime
minister
;
and
with
this
alliance
he
will
be
.
”
The
plot
being
devised
by
a
fertile
brain
never
wanting
in
expedients
,
its
development
was
skilfully
managed
,
and
its
accomplishment
anticipated
with
confidence
.
It
was
remarkable
with
what
dexterity
the
Neuchatel
family
and
Lord
Roehampton
were
brought
together
.
Berengaria’s
lord
and
master
was
in
the
country
,
which
he
said
he
would
not
quit
;
but
this
did
not
prevent
her
giving
delightful
little
dinners
and
holding
select
assemblies
on
nights
when
there
was
no
dreadful
House
of
Commons
,
and
Lord
Roehampton
could
be
present
.
On
most
occasions
,
and
especially
on
these
latter
ones
,
Lady
Montfort
could
not
endure
existence
without
her
dear
Adriana
.
Mr.
Neuchatel
,
who
was
a
little
in
the
plot
,
who
at
least
smiled
when
Berengaria
alluded
to
her
enterprise
,
was
not
wanting
in
his
contributions
to
its
success
.
He
hardly
ever
gave
one
of
his
famous
banquets
to
which
Lord
Roehampton
was
not
invited
,
and
,
strange
to
say
,
Lord
Roehampton
,
who
had
the
reputation
of
being
somewhat
difficult
on
this
head
,
always
accepted
the
invitations
.
The
crowning
social
incident
,
however
,
was
when
Lord
Roehampton
opened
his
own
house
for
the
first
time
since
his
widowhood
,
and
received
the
Neuchatels
at
a
banquet
not
inferior
to
their
own
.
This
was
a
great
triumph
for
Lady
Montfort
,
who
thought
the
end
was
at
hand
.
“
Life
is
short
,
”
she
said
to
Lord
Roehampton
that
evening
.
“
Why
not
settle
it
to-night
?
”
“
Well
,
”
said
Lord
Roehampton
,
“
you
know
I
never
like
anything
precipitate
.
Besides
,
why
should
the
citadel
surrender
when
I
have
hardly
entered
on
my
first
parallel
?
”
“
Ah
!
those
are
old-fashioned
tactics
,
”
said
Lady
Montfort
.
“
Well
,
I
suppose
I
am
an
old-fashioned
man
.
”
“
Be
serious
,
now
.
I
want
it
settled
before
Easter
.
I
must
go
down
to
my
lord
then
,
and
even
before
;
and
I
should
like
to
see
this
settled
before
we
separate
.
”
“
Why
does
not
Montfort
come
up
to
town
?
”
said
Lord
Roehampton
.
“
He
is
wanted
.
”
“
Well
,
”
said
Lady
Montfort
,
with
half
a
sigh
,
“
it
is
no
use
talking
about
it
.
He
will
not
come
.
Our
society
bores
him
,
and
he
must
be
amused
.
I
write
to
him
every
day
,
and
sometimes
twice
a
day
,
and
pass
my
life
in
collecting
things
to
interest
him
.
I
would
never
leave
him
for
a
moment
,
only
I
know
then
that
he
would
get
wearied
of
me
;
and
he
thinks
now
—
at
least
,
he
once
said
so
—
that
he
has
never
had
a
dull
moment
in
my
company
.
”
“
How
can
he
find
amusement
in
the
country
?
”
said
Lord
Roehampton
.
“
There
is
no
sport
now
,
and
a
man
cannot
always
be
reading
French
novels
.
”
“
Well
,
I
send
amusing
people
down
to
him
,
”
said
Berengaria
.
“
It
is
difficult
to
arrange
,
for
he
does
not
like
toadies
,
which
is
so
unreasonable
,
for
I
know
many
toadies
who
are
very
pleasant
.
Treeby
is
with
him
now
,
and
that
is
excellent
,
for
Treeby
contradicts
him
,
and
is
scientific
as
well
as
fashionable
,
and
gives
him
the
last
news
of
the
Sun
as
well
as
of
White’s
.
I
want
to
get
this
great
African
traveller
to
go
down
to
him
;
but
one
can
hardly
send
a
perfect
stranger
as
a
guest
.
I
wanted
Treeby
to
take
him
,
but
Treeby
refused
—
men
are
so
selfish
.
Treeby
could
have
left
him
there
,
and
the
traveller
might
have
remained
a
week
,
told
all
he
had
seen
,
and
as
much
more
as
he
liked
.
My
lord
cannot
stand
Treeby
more
than
two
days
,
and
Treeby
cannot
stand
my
lord
for
a
longer
period
,
and
that
is
why
they
are
such
friends
.
”
“
A
sound
basis
of
agreement
,
”
said
Lord
Roehampton
.
“
I
believe
absence
is
often
a
great
element
of
charm
.
”
“
But
,
a
nos
moutons
,
”
resumed
Lady
Montfort
.
“
You
see
now
why
I
am
so
anxious
for
a
conclusion
of
our
affair
.
I
think
it
is
ripe
?
”
“
Why
do
you
?
”
said
Lord
Roehampton
.
“
Well
,
she
must
be
very
much
in
love
with
you
.
”
“
Has
she
told
you
so
?
”
“
No
;
but
she
looks
in
love
.
”
“
She
has
never
told
me
so
,
”
said
Lord
Roehampton
.
“
Have
you
told
her
?
”
“
Well
,
I
have
not
,
”
said
her
companion
.
“
I
like
the
family
—
all
of
them
.
I
like
Neuchatel
particularly
.
I
like
his
house
and
style
of
living
.
You
always
meet
nice
people
there
,
and
hear
the
last
thing
that
has
been
said
or
done
all
over
the
world
.
It
is
a
house
where
you
are
sure
not
to
be
dull
.
”
“
You
have
described
a
perfect
home
,
”
said
Lady
Montfort
,
“
and
it
awaits
you
.
”
“
Well
,
I
do
not
know
,
”
said
Lord
Roehampton
.
“
Perhaps
I
am
fastidious
,
perhaps
I
am
content
;
to
be
noticed
sometimes
by
a
Lady
Montfort
should
,
I
think
,
satisfy
any
man
.
”
“
Well
,
that
is
gallant
,
but
it
is
not
business
,
my
dear
lord
.
You
can
count
on
my
devotion
even
when
you
are
married
;
but
I
want
to
see
you
on
a
pinnacle
,
so
that
if
anything
happens
there
shall
be
no
question
who
is
to
be
the
first
man
in
this
country
.
”
CHAPTER
XL
The
meeting
of
parliament
caused
also
the
return
of
Waldershare
to
England
,
and
brought
life
and
enjoyment
to
our
friends
in
Warwick
Street
.
Waldershare
had
not
taken
his
seat
in
the
autumn
session
.
After
the
general
election
,
he
had
gone
abroad
with
Lord
Beaumaris
,
the
young
nobleman
who
had
taken
them
to
the
Derby
,
and
they
had
seen
and
done
many
strange
things
.
During
all
their
peregrinations
,
however
,
Waldershare
maintained
a
constant
correspondence
with
Imogene
,
occasionally
sending
her
a
choice
volume
,
which
she
was
not
only
to
read
,
but
to
prove
her
perusal
of
it
by
forwarding
to
him
a
criticism
of
its
contents
.
Endymion
was
too
much
pleased
to
meet
Waldershare
again
,
and
told
him
of
the
kind
of
intimacy
he
had
formed
with
Colonel
Albert
and
all
about
the
baron
.
Waldershare
was
much
interested
in
these
details
,
and
it
was
arranged
that
an
opportunity
should
be
taken
to
make
the
colonel
and
Waldershare
acquainted
.
This
,
however
,
was
not
an
easy
result
to
bring
about
,
for
Waldershare
insisted
on
its
not
occurring
formally
,
and
as
the
colonel
maintained
the
utmost
reserve
with
the
household
,
and
Endymion
had
no
room
of
reception
,
weeks
passed
over
without
Waldershare
knowing
more
of
Colonel
Albert
personally
than
sometimes
occasionally
seeing
him
mount
his
horse
.
In
the
meantime
life
in
Warwick
Street
,
so
far
as
the
Rodney
family
were
concerned
,
appeared
to
have
re-assumed
its
pleasant
,
and
what
perhaps
we
are
authorised
in
styling
its
normal
condition
.
They
went
to
the
play
two
or
three
times
a
week
,
and
there
Waldershare
or
Lord
Beaumaris
,
frequently
both
,
always
joined
them
;
and
then
they
came
home
to
supper
,
and
then
they
smoked
;
and
sometimes
there
was
a
little
singing
,
and
sometimes
a
little
whist
.
Occasionally
there
was
only
conversation
,
that
is
to
say
,
Waldershare
held
forth
,
dilating
on
some
wondrous
theme
,
full
of
historical
anecdote
,
and
dazzling
paradox
,
and
happy
phrase
.
All
listened
with
interest
,
even
those
who
did
not
understand
him
.
Much
of
his
talk
was
addressed
really
to
Beaumaris
,
whose
mind
he
was
forming
,
as
well
as
that
of
Imogene
.
Beaumaris
was
an
hereditary
Whig
,
but
had
not
personally
committed
himself
,
and
the
ambition
of
Waldershare
was
to
transform
him
not
only
into
a
Tory
,
but
one
of
the
old
rock
,
a
real
Jacobite
.
“
Is
not
the
Tory
party
,
”
Waldershare
would
exclaim
,
“
a
succession
of
heroic
spirits
,
‘beautiful
and
swift
,
’
ever
in
the
van
,
and
foremost
of
their
age
?
—
Hobbes
and
Bolingbroke
,
Hume
and
Adam
Smith
,
Wyndham
and
Cobham
,
Pitt
and
Grenville
,
Canning
and
Huskisson
?
—
Are
not
the
principles
of
Toryism
those
popular
rights
which
men
like
Shippen
and
Hynde
Cotton
flung
in
the
face
of
an
alien
monarch
and
his
mushroom
aristocracy
?
—
Place
bills
,
triennial
bills
,
opposition
to
standing
armies
,
to
peerage
bills
?
—
Are
not
the
traditions
of
the
Tory
party
the
noblest
pedigree
in
the
world
?
Are
not
its
illustrations
that
glorious
martyrology
,
that
opens
with
the
name
of
Falkland
and
closes
with
the
name
of
Canning
?
”
“
I
believe
it
is
all
true
,
”
whispered
Lord
Beaumaris
to
Sylvia
,
who
had
really
never
heard
of
any
of
these
gentlemen
before
,
but
looked
most
sweet
and
sympathetic
.
“
He
is
a
wonderful
man
—
Mr.
Waldershare
,
”
said
Mr.
Vigo
to
Rodney
,
“
but
I
fear
not
practical
.
”
One
day
,
not
very
long
after
his
return
from
his
travels
,
Waldershare
went
to
breakfast
with
his
uncle
,
Mr.
Sidney
Wilton
,
now
a
cabinet
minister
,
still
unmarried
,
and
living
in
Grosvenor
Square
.
Notwithstanding
the
difference
of
their
politics
,
an
affectionate
intimacy
subsisted
between
them
;
indeed
Waldershare
was
a
favourite
of
his
uncle
,
who
enjoyed
the
freshness
of
his
mind
,
and
quite
appreciated
his
brilliancy
of
thought
and
speech
,
his
quaint
reading
and
effervescent
imagination
.
“
And
so
you
think
we
are
in
for
life
,
George
,
”
said
Mr.
Wilson
,
taking
a
piece
of
toast
.
“
I
do
not
.
”
“
Well
,
I
go
upon
this
,
”
said
Waldershare
.
“
It
is
quite
clear
that
Peel
has
nothing
to
offer
the
country
,
and
the
country
will
not
rally
round
a
negation
.
When
he
failed
in
‘34
they
said
there
had
not
been
sufficient
time
for
the
reaction
to
work
.
Well
,
now
,
since
then
,
it
has
had
nearly
three
years
,
during
which
you
fellows
have
done
everything
to
outrage
every
prejudice
of
the
constituency
,
and
yet
they
have
given
you
a
majority
.
”
“
Yes
,
that
is
all
very
well
,
”
replied
Mr.
Wilton
,
“
but
we
are
the
Liberal
shop
,
and
we
have
no
Liberal
goods
on
hand
;
we
are
the
party
of
movement
,
and
must
perforce
stand
still
.
The
fact
is
,
all
the
great
questions
are
settled
.
No
one
will
burn
his
fingers
with
the
Irish
Church
again
,
in
this
generation
certainly
not
,
probably
in
no
other
;
you
could
not
get
ten
men
together
in
any
part
of
the
country
to
consider
the
corn
laws
;
I
must
confess
I
regret
it
.
I
still
retain
my
opinion
that
a
moderate
fixed
duty
would
be
a
wise
arrangement
,
but
I
quite
despair
in
my
time
of
any
such
advance
of
opinion
;
as
for
the
ballot
,
it
is
hardly
tolerated
in
debating
societies
.
The
present
government
,
my
dear
George
,
will
expire
from
inanition
.
I
always
told
the
cabinet
they
were
going
on
too
fast
.
They
should
have
kept
back
municipal
reform
.
It
would
have
carried
us
on
for
five
years
.
It
was
our
only
piece
de
resistance
.
”
“
I
look
upon
the
House
of
Commons
as
a
mere
vestry
,
”
said
Waldershare
.
“
I
believe
it
to
be
completely
used
up
.
Reform
has
dished
it
.
There
are
no
men
,
and
naturally
,
because
the
constituencies
elect
themselves
,
and
the
constituencies
are
the
most
mediocre
of
the
nation
.
The
House
of
Commons
now
is
like
a
spendthrift
living
on
his
capital
.
The
business
is
done
and
the
speeches
are
made
by
men
formed
in
the
old
school
.
The
influence
of
the
House
of
Commons
is
mainly
kept
up
by
old
social
traditions
.
I
believe
if
the
eldest
sons
of
peers
now
members
would
all
accept
the
Chiltern
hundreds
,
and
the
House
thus
cease
to
be
fashionable
,
before
a
year
was
past
,
it
would
be
as
odious
and
as
contemptible
as
the
Rump
Parliament
.
”
“
Well
,
you
are
now
the
eldest
son
of
a
peer
,
”
said
Sidney
Wilton
,
smiling
.
“
Why
do
you
not
set
an
example
,
instead
of
spending
your
father’s
substance
and
your
own
in
fighting
a
corrupt
borough
?
”
“
I
am
vox
clamantis
,
”
said
Waldershare
.
“
I
do
not
despair
of
its
being
done
.
But
what
I
want
is
some
big
guns
to
do
it
.
Let
the
eldest
son
of
a
Tory
duke
and
the
eldest
son
of
a
Whig
duke
do
the
same
thing
on
the
same
day
,
and
give
the
reason
why
.
If
Saxmundham
,
for
example
,
and
Harlaxton
would
do
it
,
the
game
would
be
up
.
”
“
On
the
contrary
,
”
said
Mr.
Wilton
,
“
Saxmundham
,
I
can
tell
you
,
will
be
the
new
cabinet
minister
.
”
“
Degenerate
land
!
”
exclaimed
Waldershare
.
“
Ah
!
in
the
eighteenth
century
there
was
always
a
cause
to
sustain
the
political
genius
of
the
country
,
—
the
cause
of
the
rightful
dynasty
.
”
“
Well
,
thank
God
,
we
have
got
rid
of
all
those
troubles
,
”
said
Mr.
Wilton
.
“
Rid
of
them
!
I
do
not
know
that
.
I
saw
a
great
deal
of
the
Duke
of
Modena
this
year
,
and
tried
as
well
as
I
could
to
open
his
mind
to
the
situation
.
”
“
You
traitor
!
”
exclaimed
Mr.
Wilton
.
“
If
I
were
Secretary
of
State
,
I
would
order
the
butler
to
arrest
you
immediately
,
and
send
you
to
the
Tower
in
a
hack
cab
;
but
as
I
am
only
a
President
of
a
Board
and
your
uncle
,
you
will
escape
.
”
“
Well
,
I
should
think
all
sensible
men
,
”
said
Waldershare
,
“
of
all
parties
will
agree
,
that
before
we
try
a
republic
,
it
would
be
better
to
give
a
chance
to
the
rightful
heir
.
”
“
Well
,
I
am
not
a
republican
,
”
said
Mr.
Wilton
,
“
and
I
think
Queen
Victoria
,
particularly
if
she
make
a
wise
and
happy
marriage
,
need
not
much
fear
the
Duke
of
Modena
.
”
“
He
is
our
sovereign
lord
,
all
the
same
,
”
said
Waldershare
.
“
I
wish
he
were
more
aware
of
it
himself
.
Instead
of
looking
to
a
restoration
to
his
throne
,
I
found
him
always
harping
on
the
fear
of
French
invasion
.
I
could
not
make
him
understand
that
France
was
his
natural
ally
,
and
that
without
her
help
,
Charlie
was
not
likely
to
have
his
own
again
.
”
“
Well
,
as
you
admire
pretenders
,
George
,
I
wish
you
were
in
my
shoes
this
morning
,
for
I
have
got
one
of
the
most
disagreeable
interviews
on
hand
which
ever
fell
to
my
lot
.
”
“
How
so
,
my
dear
uncle
?
”
said
Waldershare
,
in
a
tone
of
sympathy
,
for
he
saw
that
the
countenance
of
Mr.
Wilton
was
disturbed
.
“
My
unhappy
ward
,
”
said
Mr.
Wilton
;
“
you
know
,
of
course
,
something
about
him
.
”
“
Well
,
I
was
at
school
and
college
,
”
said
Waldershare
,
“
when
it
all
happened
.
But
I
have
just
heard
that
you
had
relations
with
him
.
”
“
The
most
intimate
;
and
there
is
the
bitterness
.
There
existed
between
his
mother
Queen
Agrippina
and
myself
ties
of
entire
friendship
.
In
her
last
years
and
in
her
greatest
adversity
she
appealed
to
me
to
be
the
guardian
of
her
son
.
He
inherited
all
her
beauty
and
apparently
all
her
sweetness
of
disposition
.
I
took
the
greatest
pains
with
him
.
He
was
at
Eton
,
and
did
well
there
.
He
was
very
popular
;
I
never
was
so
deceived
in
a
boy
in
my
life
.
I
though
him
the
most
docile
of
human
beings
,
and
that
I
had
gained
over
him
an
entire
influence
.
I
am
sure
it
would
have
been
exercised
for
his
benefit
.
In
short
,
I
may
say
it
now
,
I
looked
upon
him
as
a
son
,
and
he
certainly
would
have
been
my
heir
;
and
yet
all
this
time
,
from
his
seventeenth
year
,
he
was
immersed
in
political
intrigue
,
and
carrying
on
plots
against
the
sovereign
of
his
country
,
even
under
my
own
roof
.
”
“
How
very
interesting
!
”
said
Waldershare
.
“
It
may
be
interesting
to
you
;
I
know
what
it
cost
me
.
The
greatest
anxiety
and
sorrow
,
and
even
nearly
compromised
my
honour
.
Had
I
not
a
large-hearted
chief
and
a
true
man
of
the
world
to
deal
with
,
I
must
have
retired
from
the
government
.
”
“
How
could
he
manage
it
?
”
said
Waldershare
.
“
You
have
no
conception
of
the
devices
and
resources
of
the
secret
societies
of
Europe
,
”
said
Mr.
Wilton
.
“
His
drawing-master
,
his
fencing-master
,
his
dancing-master
,
all
his
professors
of
languages
,
who
delighted
me
by
their
testimony
to
his
accomplishments
and
their
praises
of
his
quickness
and
assiduity
,
were
active
confederates
in
bringing
about
events
which
might
have
occasioned
an
European
war
.
He
left
me
avowedly
to
pay
a
visit
in
the
country
,
and
I
even
received
letters
from
him
with
the
postmark
of
the
neighbouring
town
;
letters
all
prepared
beforehand
.
My
first
authentic
information
as
to
his
movements
was
to
learn
,
that
he
had
headed
an
invading
force
,
landed
on
the
shores
which
he
claimed
as
his
own
,
was
defeated
and
a
prisoner
.
”
“
I
remember
it
,
”
said
Waldershare
.
“
I
had
just
then
gone
up
to
St.
John’s
,
and
I
remember
reading
it
with
the
greatest
excitement
.
”
“
All
this
was
bad
enough
,
”
said
Mr.
Wilton
,
“
but
this
is
not
my
sorrow
.
I
saved
him
from
death
,
or
at
least
a
dreadful
imprisonment
.
He
was
permitted
to
sail
to
America
on
his
parole
that
he
would
never
return
to
Europe
,
and
I
was
required
,
and
on
his
solemn
appeal
I
consented
,
to
give
my
personal
engagement
that
the
compact
should
be
sacred
.
Before
two
years
had
elapsed
,
supported
all
this
time
,
too
,
by
my
bounty
,
there
was
an
attempt
,
almost
successful
,
to
assassinate
the
king
,
and
my
ward
was
discovered
and
seized
in
the
capital
.
This
time
he
was
immured
,
and
for
life
,
in
the
strongest
fortress
of
the
country
;
but
secret
societies
laugh
at
governments
,
and
though
he
endured
a
considerable
imprisonment
,
the
world
has
recently
been
astounded
by
hearing
that
he
had
escaped
.
Yes
;
he
is
in
London
and
has
been
here
,
though
in
studied
obscurity
,
for
some
little
time
.
He
has
never
appealed
to
me
until
within
these
few
days
,
and
now
only
on
the
ground
that
there
are
some
family
affairs
which
cannot
be
arranged
without
my
approval
.
I
had
great
doubts
whether
I
should
receive
him
.
I
feel
I
ought
not
to
have
done
so
.
But
I
hesitated
,
and
I
know
not
what
may
be
the
truth
about
women
,
but
of
this
I
am
quite
sure
,
the
man
who
hesitates
is
lost
.
”
“
How
I
should
like
to
present
at
the
interview
,
my
dear
uncle
!
”
said
Waldershare
.
“
And
I
should
not
be
sorry
to
have
a
witness
,
”
said
Mr.
Wilton
,
“
but
it
is
impossible
.
I
am
ashamed
to
say
how
unhinged
I
feel
;
no
person
,
and
no
memories
,
ought
to
exercise
such
an
influence
over
one
.
To
tell
you
the
truth
,
I
encouraged
your
pleasant
gossip
at
breakfast
by
way
of
distraction
at
this
moment
,
and
now
”
—
—
At
this
moment
,
the
groom
of
the
chambers
entered
and
announced
“
His
royal
highness
,
Prince
Florestan
.
”
Mr.
Wilton
,
who
was
too
agitated
to
speak
,
waved
his
hand
to
Waldershare
to
retire
,
and
his
nephew
vanished
.
As
Waldershare
was
descending
the
staircase
,
he
drew
back
on
a
landing-place
to
permit
the
prince
to
advance
undisturbed
.
The
prince
apparently
did
not
observe
him
,
but
when
Waldershare
caught
the
countenance
of
the
visitor
,
he
started
.
CHAPTER
XLI
“
I
know
,
sir
,
you
are
prejudiced
against
me
,
”
said
Prince
Florestan
,
bowing
before
Mr.
Wilton
with
a
sort
of
haughty
humility
,
“
and
therefore
I
the
more
appreciate
your
condescension
in
receiving
me
.
”
“
I
have
no
wish
to
refer
to
the
past
,
”
said
Mr.
Wilton
somewhat
sternly
.
“
You
mentioned
in
your
letter
that
my
co-operation
was
necessary
with
reference
to
your
private
affairs
,
of
which
I
once
was
a
trustee
,
and
under
those
circumstances
I
felt
it
my
duty
to
accede
to
your
request
.
I
wish
our
communication
to
be
limited
to
that
business
.
”
“
It
shall
be
so
strictly
,
”
said
the
prince
;
“
you
may
remember
,
sir
,
that
at
the
unhappy
period
when
we
were
deprived
of
our
throne
,
the
name
of
Queen
Agrippina
was
inscribed
on
the
great
book
of
the
state
for
a
considerable
sum
,
for
which
the
credit
of
the
state
was
pledged
to
her
.
It
was
strictly
her
private
property
,
and
had
mainly
accrued
through
the
sale
of
the
estates
of
her
ancestors
.
This
sum
was
confiscated
,
and
several
other
amounts
,
which
belonged
to
members
of
our
house
and
to
our
friends
.
It
was
an
act
of
pure
rapine
,
so
gross
,
that
as
time
revolved
,
and
the
sense
of
justice
gradually
returned
to
the
hearts
of
men
,
restitution
was
made
in
every
instance
except
my
own
,
though
I
have
reason
to
believe
that
individual
claim
was
the
strongest
.
My
bankers
,
the
house
of
Neuchatel
,
who
have
much
interested
themselves
in
this
matter
,
and
have
considerable
influence
with
the
government
that
succeeded
us
,
have
brought
things
to
this
pass
,
that
we
have
reason
to
believe
our
claim
would
be
conceded
,
if
some
of
the
foreign
governments
,
and
especially
the
government
of
this
country
,
would
signify
that
the
settlement
would
not
be
disagreeable
to
them
.
”
And
the
prince
ceased
,
and
raising
his
eyes
,
which
were
downcast
as
he
spoke
,
looked
Mr.
Wilton
straight
in
the
face
.
“
Before
such
a
proposal
could
even
be
considered
by
Her
Majesty’s
Government
,
”
said
Mr.
Wilton
with
a
reddening
cheek
,
“
the
intimation
must
be
made
to
them
by
authority
.
If
the
minister
of
your
country
has
such
an
intimation
to
make
to
ours
,
he
should
address
himself
to
the
proper
quarter
,
to
Lord
Roehampton
.
”
“
I
understand
,
”
said
Prince
Florestan
;
“
but
governments
,
like
individuals
,
sometimes
shrink
from
formality
.
The
government
of
my
country
will
act
on
the
intimation
,
but
they
do
not
care
to
make
it
an
affair
of
despatches
.
”
“
There
is
only
one
way
of
transacting
business
,
”
said
Mr.
Wilton
frigidly
,
and
as
if
,
so
far
as
he
was
concerned
,
the
interview
was
ended
.
“
I
have
been
advised
on
high
authority
,
”
said
Prince
Florestan
,
speaking
very
slowly
,
“
that
if
any
member
of
the
present
cabinet
will
mention
in
conversation
to
the
representative
of
my
country
here
,
that
the
act
of
justice
would
not
be
disagreeable
to
the
British
Government
,
the
affair
is
finished
.
”
“
I
doubt
whether
any
one
of
my
colleagues
would
be
prepared
to
undertake
a
personal
interference
of
that
kind
with
a
foreign
government
,
”
said
Mr.
Wilton
stiffly
.
“
For
my
own
part
,
I
have
had
quite
enough
of
such
interpositions
never
to
venture
on
them
again
.
”
“
The
expression
of
feeling
desired
would
involve
no
sort
of
engagement
,
”
said
the
imperturbable
prince
.
“
That
depends
on
the
conscience
of
the
individual
who
interferes
.
No
man
of
honour
would
be
justified
in
so
interposing
if
he
believed
he
was
thus
furnishing
arms
against
the
very
government
of
which
he
solicited
the
favour
.
”
“
But
why
should
he
believe
this
?
”
asked
the
prince
with
great
calmness
.
“
I
think
upon
reflection
,
”
said
Mr.
Wilton
,
taking
up
at
the
same
time
an
opened
letter
which
was
before
him
,
as
if
he
wished
to
resume
the
private
business
on
which
he
had
been
previously
engaged
,
“
that
your
royal
highness
might
find
very
adequate
reasons
for
the
belief
.
”
“
I
would
put
this
before
you
with
great
deference
,
sir
,
”
said
the
prince
.
“
Take
my
own
case
;
is
it
not
more
likely
that
I
should
lead
that
life
of
refined
retirement
,
which
I
really
desire
,
were
I
in
possession
of
the
means
to
maintain
such
a
position
with
becoming
dignity
,
than
if
I
were
distressed
,
and
harassed
,
and
disgusted
,
every
day
,
with
sights
and
incidents
which
alike
outrage
my
taste
and
self-respect
?
It
is
not
prosperity
,
according
to
common
belief
,
that
makes
conspirators
.
”
“
You
were
in
a
position
,
and
a
refined
position
,
”
rejoined
Mr.
Wilton
sharply
;
“
you
had
means
adequate
to
all
that
a
gentleman
could
desire
,
and
might
have
been
a
person
of
great
consideration
,
and
you
wantonly
destroyed
all
this
.
”
“
It
might
be
remembered
that
I
was
young
.
”
“
Yes
,
you
were
young
,
very
young
,
and
your
folly
was
condoned
.
You
might
have
begun
life
again
,
for
to
the
world
at
least
you
were
a
man
of
honour
.
You
had
not
deceived
the
world
,
whatever
you
might
have
done
to
others
.
”
“
If
I
presume
to
make
another
remark
,
”
said
the
prince
calmly
,
but
pale
,
“
it
is
only
,
believe
me
,
sir
,
from
the
profound
respect
I
feel
for
you
.
Do
not
misunderstand
these
feelings
,
sir
.
They
are
not
unbecoming
the
past
.
Now
that
my
mother
has
departed
,
there
is
no
one
to
whom
I
am
attached
except
yourself
.
I
have
no
feeling
whatever
towards
any
other
human
being
.
All
my
thought
and
all
my
sentiment
are
engrossed
by
my
country
.
But
pardon
me
,
dear
sir
,
for
so
let
me
call
you
,
if
I
venture
to
say
that
,
in
your
decision
on
my
conduct
,
you
have
never
taken
into
consideration
the
position
which
I
inherited
.
”
“
I
do
not
follow
you
,
sir
.
”
“
You
never
will
remember
that
I
am
the
child
of
destiny
,
”
said
Prince
Florestan
.
“
That
destiny
will
again
place
me
on
the
throne
of
my
fathers
.
That
is
as
certain
as
I
am
now
speaking
to
you
.
But
destiny
for
its
fulfilment
ordains
action
.
Its
decrees
are
inexorable
,
but
they
are
obscure
,
and
the
being
whose
career
it
directs
is
as
a
man
travelling
in
a
dark
night
;
he
reaches
his
goal
even
without
the
aid
of
stars
or
moon
.
”
“
I
really
do
not
understand
what
destiny
means
,
”
said
Mr.
Wilton
.
“
I
understand
what
conduct
means
,
and
I
recognise
that
it
should
be
regulated
by
truth
and
honour
.
I
think
a
man
had
better
have
nothing
to
do
with
destiny
,
particularly
if
it
is
to
make
him
forfeit
his
parole
.
”
“
Ah
!
sir
,
I
well
know
that
on
that
head
you
entertain
a
great
prejudice
in
my
respect
.
Believe
me
it
is
not
just
.
Even
lawyers
acknowledge
that
a
contract
which
is
impossible
cannot
be
violated
.
My
return
from
America
was
inevitable
.
The
aspirations
of
a
great
people
and
of
many
communities
required
my
presence
in
Europe
.
My
return
was
the
natural
development
of
the
inevitable
principle
of
historical
necessity
.
”
“
Well
,
that
principle
is
not
recognised
by
Her
Majesty’s
Ministers
,
”
said
Mr.
Wilton
,
and
both
himself
and
the
prince
seemed
to
rise
at
the
same
time
.
“
I
thank
you
,
sir
,
for
this
interview
,
”
said
his
royal
highness
.
“
You
will
not
help
me
,
but
what
I
require
will
happen
by
some
other
means
.
It
is
necessary
,
and
therefore
it
will
occur
.
”
The
prince
remounted
his
horse
,
and
rode
off
quickly
till
he
reached
the
Strand
,
where
obstacles
to
rapid
progress
commenced
,
and
though
impatient
,
it
was
some
time
before
he
reached
Bishopsgate
Street
.
He
entered
the
spacious
courtyard
of
a
noble
mansion
,
and
,
giving
his
horse
to
the
groom
,
inquired
for
Mr.
Neuchatel
,
to
whom
he
was
at
once
ushered
,
—
seated
in
a
fine
apartment
at
a
table
covered
with
many
papers
.
“
Well
,
my
prince
,
”
said
Mr.
Neuchatel
with
a
smiling
eye
,
“
what
brings
such
a
great
man
into
the
City
to-day
?
Have
you
seen
your
great
friend
?
”
And
then
Prince
Florestan
gave
Mr.
Neuchatel
a
succinct
but
sufficient
summary
of
his
recent
interview
.
“
Ah
!
”
said
Mr.
Neuchatel
,
“
so
it
is
,
so
it
is
;
I
dare
say
if
you
were
received
at
St.
James’
,
Mr.
Sidney
Wilton
would
not
be
so
very
particular
;
but
we
must
take
things
as
we
find
them
.
If
our
fine
friends
will
not
help
us
,
you
must
try
us
poor
business
men
in
the
City
.
We
can
manage
things
here
sometimes
which
puzzle
them
at
the
West
End
.
I
saw
you
were
disturbed
when
you
came
in
.
Put
on
a
good
countenance
.
Nobody
should
ever
look
anxious
except
those
who
have
no
anxiety
.
I
dare
say
you
would
like
to
know
how
your
account
is
.
I
will
send
for
it
.
It
is
not
so
bad
as
you
think
.
I
put
a
thousand
pounds
to
it
in
the
hope
that
your
fine
friend
would
help
us
,
but
I
shall
not
take
it
off
again
.
My
Louis
is
going
to-night
to
Paris
,
and
he
shall
call
upon
the
ministers
and
see
what
can
be
done
.
In
the
meantime
,
good
appetite
,
sir
.
I
am
going
to
luncheon
,
and
there
is
a
place
for
you
.
And
I
will
show
you
my
Gainsborough
that
I
have
just
bought
,
from
a
family
for
whom
it
was
painted
.
The
face
is
divine
,
very
like
our
Miss
Ferrars
.
I
am
going
to
send
the
picture
down
to
Hainault
.
I
won’t
tell
you
what
I
gave
for
it
,
because
perhaps
you
would
tell
my
wife
and
she
would
be
very
angry
.
She
would
want
the
money
for
an
infant
school
.
But
I
think
she
has
schools
enough
.
Now
to
lunch
.
”
On
the
afternoon
of
this
day
there
was
a
half-holiday
at
the
office
,
and
Endymion
had
engaged
to
accompany
Waldershare
on
some
expedition
.
They
had
been
talking
together
in
his
room
where
Waldershare
was
finishing
his
careless
toilette
,
which
however
was
never
finished
,
and
they
had
just
opened
the
house
door
and
were
sallying
forth
when
Colonel
Albert
rode
up
.
He
gave
a
kind
nod
to
Endymion
,
but
did
not
speak
,
and
the
companions
went
on
.
“
By
the
by
,
Ferrars
,
”
said
Waldershare
,
pressing
his
arm
and
bubbling
with
excitement
,
“
I
have
found
out
who
your
colonel
is
.
It
is
a
wondrous
tale
,
and
I
will
tell
it
all
to
you
as
we
go
on
.
”
CHAPTER
XLII
Endymion
had
now
passed
three
years
of
his
life
in
London
,
and
considering
the
hard
circumstances
under
which
he
had
commenced
this
career
,
he
might
on
the
whole
look
back
to
those
years
without
dissatisfaction
.
Three
years
ago
he
was
poor
and
friendless
,
utterly
ignorant
of
the
world
,
and
with
nothing
to
guide
him
but
his
own
good
sense
.
His
slender
salary
had
not
yet
been
increased
,
but
with
the
generosity
and
aid
of
his
sister
and
the
liberality
of
Mr.
Vigo
,
he
was
easy
in
his
circumstances
.
Through
the
Rodneys
,
he
had
become
acquainted
with
a
certain
sort
of
miscellaneous
life
,
a
knowledge
of
which
is
highly
valuable
to
a
youth
,
but
which
is
seldom
attained
without
risk
.
Endymion
,
on
the
contrary
,
was
always
guarded
from
danger
.
Through
his
most
unexpected
connection
with
the
Neuchatel
family
,
he
had
seen
something
of
life
in
circles
of
refinement
and
high
consideration
,
and
had
even
caught
glimpses
of
that
great
world
of
which
he
read
so
much
and
heard
people
talk
more
,
the
world
of
the
Lord
Roehamptons
and
the
Lady
Montforts
,
and
all
those
dazzling
people
whose
sayings
and
doings
form
the
taste
,
and
supply
the
conversation
,
and
leaven
the
existence
of
admiring
or
wondering
millions
.
None
of
these
incidents
,
however
,
had
induced
any
change
in
the
scheme
of
his
existence
.
Endymion
was
still
content
with
his
cleanly
and
airy
garret
;
still
dined
at
Joe’s
;
was
still
sedulous
at
his
office
,
and
always
popular
with
his
fellow
clerks
.
Seymour
Hicks
,
indeed
,
who
studied
the
“
Morning
Post
”
with
intentness
,
had
discovered
the
name
of
Endymion
in
the
elaborate
lists
of
attendants
on
Mrs.
Neuchatel’s
receptions
,
and
had
duly
notified
the
important
event
to
his
colleagues
;
but
Endymion
was
not
severely
bantered
on
the
occasion
,
for
,
since
the
withdrawal
of
St.
Barbe
from
the
bureau
,
the
stock
of
envy
at
Somerset
House
was
sensibly
diminished
.
His
lodging
at
the
Rodneys’
,
however
,
had
brought
Endymion
something
more
valuable
than
an
innocuous
familiarity
with
their
various
and
suggestive
life
.
In
the
friendship
of
Waldershare
he
found
a
rich
compensation
for
being
withdrawn
from
his
school
and
deprived
of
his
university
.
The
care
of
his
father
had
made
Endymion
a
good
classical
scholar
,
and
he
had
realised
a
degree
of
culture
which
it
delighted
the
brilliant
and
eccentric
Waldershare
to
enrich
and
to
complete
.
Waldershare
guided
his
opinions
,
and
directed
his
studies
,
and
formed
his
taste
.
Alone
at
night
in
his
garret
,
there
was
no
solitude
,
for
he
had
always
some
book
or
some
periodical
,
English
or
foreign
,
with
which
Waldershare
had
supplied
him
,
and
which
he
assured
Endymion
it
was
absolutely
necessary
that
he
should
read
and
master
.
Nor
was
his
acquaintance
with
Baron
Sergius
less
valuable
,
or
less
fruitful
of
results
.
He
too
became
interested
in
Endymion
,
and
poured
forth
to
him
,
apparently
without
reserve
,
all
the
treasures
of
his
vast
experience
of
men
and
things
,
especially
with
reference
to
the
conduct
of
external
affairs
.
He
initiated
him
in
the
cardinal
principles
of
the
policies
of
different
nations
;
he
revealed
to
him
the
real
character
of
the
chief
actors
in
the
scene
.
“
The
first
requisite
,
”
Baron
Sergius
would
say
,
“
in
the
successful
conduct
of
public
affairs
is
a
personal
acquaintance
with
the
statesmen
engaged
.
It
is
possible
that
events
may
not
depend
now
,
so
much
as
they
did
a
century
ago
,
on
individual
feeling
,
but
,
even
if
prompted
by
general
principles
,
their
application
and
management
are
always
coloured
by
the
idiosyncrasy
of
the
chief
actors
.
The
great
advantage
which
your
Lord
Roehampton
,
for
example
,
has
over
all
his
colleagues
in
la
haute
politique
,
is
that
he
was
one
of
your
plenipotentiaries
at
the
Congress
of
Vienna
.
There
he
learned
to
gauge
the
men
who
govern
the
world
.
Do
you
think
a
man
like
that
,
called
upon
to
deal
with
a
Metternich
or
a
Pozzo
,
has
no
advantage
over
an
individual
who
never
leaves
his
chair
in
Downing
Street
except
to
kill
grouse
?
Pah
!
Metternich
and
Pozzo
know
very
well
that
Lord
Roehampton
knows
them
,
and
they
set
about
affairs
with
him
in
a
totally
different
spirit
from
that
with
which
they
circumvent
some
statesman
who
has
issued
from
the
barricades
of
Paris
.
”
Nor
must
it
be
forgotten
that
his
debating
society
and
the
acquaintance
which
he
had
formed
there
,
were
highly
beneficial
to
Endymion
.
Under
the
roof
of
Mr.
Bertie
Tremaine
he
enjoyed
the
opportunity
of
forming
an
acquaintance
with
a
large
body
of
young
men
of
breeding
,
of
high
education
,
and
full
of
ambition
,
that
was
a
substitute
for
the
society
,
becoming
his
youth
and
station
,
which
he
had
lost
by
not
going
to
the
university
.
With
all
these
individuals
,
and
with
all
their
circles
,
Endymion
was
a
favourite
.
No
doubt
his
good
looks
,
his
mien
—
which
was
both
cheerful
and
pensive
—
his
graceful
and
quiet
manners
,
all
told
in
his
favour
,
and
gave
him
a
good
start
,
but
further
acquaintance
always
sustained
the
first
impression
.
He
was
intelligent
and
well-informed
,
without
any
alarming
originality
,
or
too
positive
convictions
.
He
listened
not
only
with
patience
but
with
interest
to
all
,
and
ever
avoided
controversy
.
Here
are
some
of
the
elements
of
a
man’s
popularity
.
What
was
his
intellectual
reach
,
and
what
his
real
character
,
it
was
difficult
at
this
time
to
decide
.
He
was
still
very
young
,
only
on
the
verge
of
his
twentieth
year
;
and
his
character
had
no
doubt
been
influenced
,
it
might
be
suppressed
,
by
the
crushing
misfortunes
of
his
family
.
The
influence
of
his
sister
was
supreme
over
him
.
She
had
never
reconciled
herself
to
their
fall
.
She
had
existed
only
on
the
solitary
idea
of
regaining
their
position
,
and
she
had
never
omitted
an
occasion
to
impress
upon
him
that
he
had
a
great
mission
,
and
that
,
aided
by
her
devotion
,
he
would
fulfil
it
.
What
his
own
conviction
on
this
subject
was
may
be
obscure
.
Perhaps
he
was
organically
of
that
cheerful
and
easy
nature
,
which
is
content
to
enjoy
the
present
,
and
not
brood
over
the
past
.
The
future
may
throw
light
upon
all
these
points
;
at
present
it
may
be
admitted
that
the
three
years
of
seemingly
bitter
and
mortifying
adversity
have
not
been
altogether
wanting
in
beneficial
elements
in
the
formation
of
his
character
and
the
fashioning
of
his
future
life
.
CHAPTER
XLIII
Lady
Montfort
heard
with
great
satisfaction
from
Mr.
Neuchatel
that
Lord
Roehampton
was
going
to
pay
a
visit
to
Hainault
at
Easter
,
and
that
he
had
asked
himself
.
She
playfully
congratulated
Mrs.
Neuchatel
on
the
subject
,
and
spoke
as
if
the
affair
was
almost
concluded
.
That
lady
,
however
,
received
the
intimation
with
a
serious
,
not
to
say
distressed
countenance
.
She
said
that
she
should
be
grieved
to
lose
Adriana
under
any
circumstances
;
but
if
her
marriage
in
time
was
a
necessity
,
she
trusted
she
might
be
united
to
some
one
who
would
not
object
to
becoming
a
permanent
inmate
of
their
house
.
What
she
herself
desired
for
her
daughter
was
a
union
with
some
clergyman
,
and
if
possible
,
the
rector
of
their
own
parish
.
But
it
was
too
charming
a
dream
to
realise
.
The
rectory
at
Hainault
was
almost
in
the
Park
,
and
was
the
prettiest
house
in
the
world
,
with
the
most
lovely
garden
.
She
herself
much
preferred
it
to
the
great
mansion
—
and
so
on
.
Lady
Montfort
stared
at
her
with
impatient
astonishment
,
and
then
said
,
“
Your
daughter
,
Mrs.
Neuchatel
,
ought
to
make
an
alliance
which
would
place
her
at
the
head
of
society
.
”
“
What
a
fearful
destiny
,
”
said
Mrs.
Neuchatel
,
“
for
any
one
,
but
overwhelming
for
one
who
must
feel
the
whole
time
that
she
occupies
a
position
not
acquired
by
her
personal
qualities
!
”
“
Adriana
is
pretty
,
”
said
Lady
Montfort
.
“
I
think
her
more
than
pretty
;
she
is
highly
accomplished
and
in
every
way
pleasing
.
What
can
you
mean
,
then
,
my
dear
madam
,
by
supposing
she
would
occupy
a
position
not
acquired
by
her
personal
qualities
?
”
Mrs.
Neuchatel
sighed
and
shook
her
head
,
and
then
said
,
“
We
need
not
have
any
controversy
on
this
subject
.
I
have
no
reason
to
believe
there
is
any
foundation
for
my
fears
.
We
all
like
and
admire
Lord
Roehampton
.
It
is
impossible
not
to
admire
and
like
him
.
So
great
a
man
,
and
yet
so
gentle
and
so
kind
,
so
unaffected
—
I
would
say
,
so
unsophisticated
;
but
he
has
never
given
the
slightest
intimation
,
either
to
me
or
her
father
,
that
he
seriously
admired
Adriana
,
and
I
am
sure
if
he
had
said
anything
to
her
she
would
have
told
us
.
”
“
He
is
always
here
,
”
said
Lady
Montfort
,
“
and
he
is
a
man
who
used
to
go
nowhere
except
for
form
.
Besides
,
I
know
that
he
admires
her
,
that
he
is
in
love
with
her
,
and
I
have
not
a
doubt
that
he
has
invited
himself
to
Hainault
in
order
to
declare
his
feelings
to
her
.
”
“
How
very
dreadful
!
”
exclaimed
Mrs.
Neuchatel
.
“
What
are
we
to
do
?
”
“
To
do
!
”
said
Lady
Montfort
;
“
why
,
sympathise
with
his
happiness
,
and
complete
it
.
You
will
have
a
son-in-law
of
whom
you
may
well
be
proud
,
and
Adriana
a
husband
who
,
thoroughly
knowing
the
world
,
and
women
,
and
himself
,
will
be
devoted
to
her
;
will
be
a
guide
and
friend
,
a
guide
that
will
never
lecture
,
and
a
friend
who
will
always
charm
,
for
there
is
no
companion
in
the
world
like
him
,
and
I
think
I
ought
to
know
,
”
added
Lady
Montfort
,
“
for
I
always
tell
him
that
I
was
the
last
of
his
conquests
,
and
I
shall
ever
be
grateful
to
him
for
his
having
spared
to
me
so
much
of
his
society
.
”
“
Adriana
on
this
matter
will
decide
for
herself
,
”
said
Mrs.
Neuchatel
,
in
a
serious
tone
,
and
with
a
certain
degree
of
dignity
.
“
Neither
Mr.
Neuchatel
,
nor
myself
,
have
ever
attempted
to
control
her
feelings
in
this
respect
.
”
“
Well
,
I
am
now
about
to
see
Adriana
,
”
said
Lady
Montfort
;
“
I
know
she
is
at
home
.
If
I
had
not
been
obliged
to
go
to
Princedown
,
I
would
have
asked
you
to
let
me
pass
Easter
at
Hainault
myself
.
”
On
this
very
afternoon
,
when
Myra
,
who
had
been
walking
in
Regent’s
Park
with
her
brother
,
returned
home
,
she
found
Adriana
agitated
,
and
really
in
tears
.
“
What
is
all
this
,
dearest
?
”
inquired
her
friend
.
“
I
am
too
unhappy
,
”
sobbed
Adriana
,
and
then
she
told
Myra
that
she
had
had
a
visit
from
Lady
Montfort
,
and
all
that
had
occurred
in
it
.
Lady
Montfort
had
absolutely
congratulated
her
on
her
approaching
alliance
with
Lord
Roehampton
,
and
when
she
altogether
disclaimed
it
,
and
expressed
her
complete
astonishment
at
the
supposition
,
Lady
Montfort
had
told
her
she
was
not
justified
in
giving
Lord
Roehampton
so
much
encouragement
and
trifling
with
a
man
of
his
high
character
and
position
.
“
Fancy
my
giving
encouragement
to
Lord
Roehampton
!
”
exclaimed
Adriana
,
and
she
threw
her
arms
round
the
neck
of
the
friend
who
was
to
console
her
.
“
I
agree
with
Lady
Montfort
,
”
said
Myra
,
releasing
herself
with
gentleness
from
her
distressed
friend
.
“
It
may
have
been
unconsciously
on
your
part
,
but
I
think
you
have
encouraged
Lord
Roehampton
.
He
is
constantly
conversing
with
you
,
and
he
is
always
here
,
where
he
never
was
before
,
and
,
as
Lady
Montfort
says
,
why
should
he
have
asked
himself
to
pass
the
Easter
at
Hainault
if
it
were
not
for
your
society
?
”
“
He
invited
himself
to
Hainault
,
because
he
is
so
fond
of
papa
,
”
said
Adriana
.
“
So
much
the
better
,
if
he
is
to
be
your
husband
.
That
will
be
an
additional
element
of
domestic
happiness
.
”
“
O
Myra
!
that
you
should
say
such
things
!
”
exclaimed
Adriana
.
“
What
things
?
”
“
That
I
should
marry
Lord
Roehampton
.
”
“
I
never
said
anything
of
the
kind
.
Whom
you
should
marry
is
a
question
you
must
decide
for
yourself
.
All
that
I
said
was
,
that
if
you
marry
Lord
Roehampton
,
it
is
fortunate
he
is
so
much
liked
by
Mr.
Neuchatel
.
”
“
I
shall
not
marry
Lord
Roehampton
,
”
said
Adriana
with
some
determination
,
“
and
if
he
has
condescended
to
think
of
marrying
me
,
”
she
continued
,
“
as
Lady
Montfort
says
,
I
think
his
motives
are
so
obvious
that
if
I
felt
for
him
any
preference
it
would
be
immediately
extinguished
.
”
“
Ah
!
now
you
are
going
to
ride
your
hobby
,
my
dear
Adriana
.
On
that
subject
we
never
can
agree
;
were
I
an
heiress
,
I
should
have
as
little
objection
to
be
married
for
my
fortune
as
my
face
.
Husbands
,
as
I
have
heard
,
do
not
care
for
the
latter
too
long
.
Have
more
confidence
in
yourself
,
Adriana
.
If
Lord
Roehampton
wishes
to
marry
you
,
it
is
that
he
is
pleased
with
you
personally
,
that
he
appreciates
your
intelligence
,
your
culture
,
your
accomplishments
,
your
sweet
disposition
,
and
your
gentle
nature
.
If
in
addition
to
these
gifts
you
have
wealth
,
and
even
great
wealth
,
Lord
Roehampton
will
not
despise
it
,
will
not
—
for
I
wish
to
put
it
frankly
—
be
uninfluenced
by
the
circumstances
,
for
Lord
Roehampton
is
a
wise
man
;
but
he
would
not
marry
you
if
he
did
not
believe
that
you
would
make
for
him
a
delightful
companion
in
life
,
that
you
would
adorn
his
circle
and
illustrate
his
name
.
”
“
Ah
!
I
see
you
are
all
in
the
plot
against
me
,
”
said
Adriana
.
“
I
have
no
friend
.
”
“
My
dear
Adriana
,
I
think
you
are
unreasonable
;
I
could
say
even
unkind
.
”
“
Oh
!
pardon
me
,
dear
Myra
,
”
said
Adriana
,
“
but
I
really
am
so
very
unhappy
.
”
“
About
what
?
You
are
your
own
mistress
in
this
matter
.
If
you
do
not
like
to
marry
Lord
Roehampton
,
nobody
will
attempt
to
control
you
.
What
does
it
signify
what
Lady
Montfort
says
?
or
anybody
else
,
except
your
own
parents
,
who
desire
nothing
but
your
happiness
?
I
should
never
have
mentioned
Lord
Roehampton
to
you
had
you
not
introduced
the
subject
yourself
.
And
all
that
I
meant
to
say
was
,
what
I
repeat
,
that
your
creed
that
no
one
can
wish
to
marry
you
except
for
your
wealth
is
a
morbid
conviction
,
and
must
lead
to
unhappiness
;
that
I
do
not
believe
that
Lord
Roehampton
is
influenced
in
his
overture
,
if
he
make
one
,
by
any
unworthy
motive
,
and
that
any
woman
whose
heart
is
disengaged
should
not
lightly
repudiate
such
an
advance
from
such
a
man
,
by
which
,
at
all
events
,
she
should
feel
honoured
.
”
“
But
my
heart
is
engaged
,
”
said
Adriana
in
an
almost
solemn
tone
.
“
Oh
!
that
is
quite
a
different
thing
!
”
said
Myra
,
turning
pale
.
“
Yes
!
”
said
Adriana
;
“
I
am
devoted
to
one
whose
name
I
cannot
now
mention
,
perhaps
will
never
mention
,
but
I
am
devoted
to
him
.
Yes
!
”
she
added
with
fire
,
“
I
am
not
altogether
so
weak
a
thing
as
the
Lady
Montforts
and
some
other
persons
seem
to
think
me
—
I
can
feel
and
decide
for
myself
,
and
it
shall
never
be
said
of
me
that
I
purchased
love
.
”
CHAPTER
XLIV
There
was
to
be
no
great
party
at
Hainault
;
Lord
Roehampton
particularly
wished
that
there
should
be
no
fine
folks
asked
,
and
especially
no
ambassadors
.
All
that
he
wanted
was
to
enjoy
the
fresh
air
,
and
to
ramble
in
the
forest
,
of
which
he
had
heard
so
much
,
with
the
young
ladies
.
“
And
,
by
the
by
,
Miss
Ferrars
,
”
said
Mr.
Neuchatel
,
