t, whose present temper discerned a healthy
antagonism to misanthropic Radicals in the performance, 'all young people
dance. Have you given over dancing?'

'Not entirely, colonel.'

Cecilia danced with Mr. Tuckham at the Yacht Ball, and was vividly
mindful of every slight incident leading to and succeeding her lover's
abrupt, 'You will dance' which had all passed by her dream-like up to
that hour his attempt to forewarn her of the phrases she would deem
objectionable in Dr. Shrapnel's letter; his mild acceptation of her
father's hostility; his adieu to her, and his melancholy departure on
foot from the station, as she drove away to Mount Laurels and gaiety. Why
do I dance? she asked herself. It was not in the spirit of happiness. Her
heart was not with Dr. Shrapnel, but very near him, and heavy as a
chamber of the sick. She was afraid of her father's favourite, imagining,
from the colonel's unconcealed opposition to Beauchamp, that he had
designs in the interests of Mr. Tuckham. But the hearty gentleman
scattered her secret terrors by his bluffness and openness. He asked her
to remember that she had recommended him to listen to Seymour Austin, and
he had done so, he said. Undoubtedly he was much improved, much less
overbearing.

He won her confidence by praising and loving her father, and when she
alluded to the wonderful services he had rendered on the Welsh estate, he
said simply that her father's thanks repaid him. He recalled his former
downrightness only in speaking of the case of Dr. Shrapnel, upon which,
both with the colonel and with her, he was unreservedly condemnatory of
Mr. Romfrey. Colonel Halkett's defence of the true knight and guardian of
the reputation of ladies, fell to pieces in the presence of Mr. Tuckham.
He had seen Dr. Shrapnel, on a visit to Mr. Lydiard, whom he described as
hanging about Bevisham, philandering as a married man should not, though
in truth he might soon expect to be released by the death of his crazy
wife. The doctor, he said, had been severely shaken by the monstrous
assault made on him, and had been most unrighteously handled. The doctor
was an inoffensive man in his private life, detestable and dangerous
though his teachings were. Outside politics Mr. Tuckham went altogether
with Beauchamp. He promised also that old Mrs. Beauchamp should be
accurately informed of the state of matters between Captain Beauchamp and
Mr. Romfrey. He left Mount Laurels to go back in attendance on