e go. The fear's t'other way. There's that in a man--at the
commencement--which make of him Lord knows what if you any way
interferes: whereas a woman bides quiet! It's consolation catch her,
which is what we mean by seduein'. Whereas a man--he's a savage!"

Sir Austin turned his face to Adrian, who was listening with huge
delight.

"Well, ma'am, I see you have something in your mind, if you would only
come to it quickly."

"Then here's my point, Sir Austin. I say you bred him so as there ain't
another young gentleman like him in England, and proud he make me. And as
for her, I'll risk sayin'--it's done, and no harm--you might search
England through, and nowhere will ye find a maid that's his match like
his own wife. Then there they be. Are they together as should be? O Lord
no! Months they been divided. Then she all lonely and exposed, I went,
and fetched her out of seducers' ways--which they may say what they like,
but the inn'cent is most open to when they're healthy and confidin'--I
fetch her, and--the liberty--boxed her safe in my own house. So much for
that sweet! That you may do with women. But it's him--Mr. Richard--I am
bold, I know, but there--I'm in for it, and the Lord'll help me! It's
him, Sir Austin, in this great metropolis, warm from a young marriage.
It's him, and--I say nothin' of her, and how sweet she bears it, and it's
eating her at a time when Natur' should have no other trouble but the one
that's goin' on it's him, and I ask--so bold--shall there--and a
Christian gentlemen his father--shall there be a tug 'tween him as a son
and him as a husband--soon to be somethin' else? I speak bold out--I'd
have sons obey their fathers, but a priest's words spoke over them, which
they're now in my ears, I say I ain't a doubt on earth--I'm sure there
ain't one in heaven--which dooty's the holier of the two."

Sir Austin heard her to an end. Their views on the junction of the sexes
were undoubtedly akin. To be lectured on his prime subject, however, was
slightly disagreeable, and to be obliged mentally to assent to this old
lady's doctrine was rather humiliating, when it could not be averred that
he had latterly followed it out. He sat cross-legged and silent, a finger
to his temple.

"One gets so addle-gated thinkin' many things," said Mrs. Berry, simply.
"That's why we see wonder clever people goin' wrong--to my mind. I think
it's al'ays the plan in a dielemmer to pray God and walk forward."

The keen-wi