roughton had not the advantage of birth or much early
education. All his friends know that, and make allowance accordingly.
When she married him, she was aware of his deficiency, and made up
her mind to put up with it."

"It was very kind of her; don't you think so?"

"I knew Maria Clutterbuck for years before she was married. Of course
she was very much my senior, but, nevertheless, we were friends. I
think I was hardly more than twelve years old when I first began to
correspond with Maria. She was then past twenty. So you see, Mr
Eames, I make no secret of my age."

"Why should you?"

"But never mind that. Everybody knows that Maria Clutterbuck was very
much admired. Of course I'm not going to tell you or any other
gentleman all her history."

"I was in hopes you were."

"Then certainly your hopes will be frustrated, Mr. Eames. But
undoubtedly when she told us that she was going to take Dobbs
Broughton, we were a little disappointed. Maria Clutterbuck had been
used to a better kind of life. You understand what I mean, Mr. Eames?"

"Oh, exactly;--and yet it's not a bad kind of life, either."

"No, no; that is true. It has its attractions. She keeps her
carriage, sees a good deal of company, has an excellent house, and
goes abroad for six weeks every year. But you know, Mr. Eames, there
is, perhaps, a little uncertainty about it."

"Life is always uncertain, Miss Demolines."

"You're quizzing now, I know. But don't you feel now, really, that
City money is always very chancy? It comes and goes so quick."

"As regards the going, I think that's the same with all money," said
Johnny.

"Not with land, or the funds. Mamma has every shilling laid out in a
first-class mortgage on land at four per cent. That does make one
feel so secure! The land can't run away."

"But you think poor Broughton's money may?"

"It's all speculation, you know. I don't believe she minds it; I
don't indeed. She lives that kind of fevered life now that she likes
excitement. Of course we all know that Mr. Dobbs Broughton is not what
we can call an educated gentleman. His manners are against him, and
he is very ignorant. Even dear Maria would admit that."

"One would perhaps let that pass without asking her opinion at all."

"She has acknowledged it to me, twenty times. But he is very
good-natured, and lets her do pretty nearly anything that she likes.
I only hope she won't trespass on his good-nature. I do, indeed."

"You mean, sp