has had so many things to bear that a trifle such as
that would make but little difference."

"Poor papa!"

"He was dreadfully cut up about Gerald. And then he is so good! He
said more to me about Gerald than he ever did about my own little
misfortune at Oxford; but to Gerald himself he said almost nothing.
Now he has forgiven me because he thinks I am constant at the House."

"And are you?"

"Not so much as he thinks. I do go there,--for his sake. He has been
so good about my changing sides."

"I think you were quite right there."

"I am beginning to think I was quite wrong. What did it matter to
me?"

"I suppose it did make papa unhappy."

"Of course it did;--and then this affair of yours." As soon as this
was said Lady Mary at once hardened her heart against her father.
Whether Silverbridge was or was not entitled to his own political
opinions,--seeing that the Pallisers had for ages been known as
staunch Whigs and Liberals,--might be a matter for question. But that
she had a right to her own lover she thought that there could be no
question. As they were sitting in the cab he could hardly see her
face, but he was aware that she was in some fashion arming herself
against opposition. "I am sure that this makes him very unhappy,"
continued Silverbridge.

"It cannot be altered," she said.

"It will have to be altered."

"Nothing can alter it. He might die, indeed;--or so might I."

"Or he might see that it is no good,--and change his mind," suggested
Silverbridge.

"Of course that is possible," said Lady Mary very curtly,--showing
plainly by her manner that the subject was one which she did not
choose to discuss any further.

"It is very good of you to come to me," said Lady Mabel, kissing her
new acquaintance. "I have heard so much about you."

"And I also of you."

"I, you know, am one of your brother's stern Mentors. There are three
or four of us determined to make him a pattern young legislator. Miss
Cassewary is another. Only she is not quite so stern as I am."

"He ought to be very much obliged."

"But he is not,--not a bit. Are you, Lord Silverbridge?"

"Not so much as I ought to be, perhaps."

"Of course there is an opposing force. There are the race-horses, and
the drag, and Major Tifto. No doubt you have heard of Major Tifto.
The Major is the Mr. Worldly-Wiseman who won't let Christian go to
the Strait Gate. I am afraid he hasn't read his Pilgrim's Progress.
But we shall prevail, La