that he
should have been able to bear it so long."

"It would have crushed me utterly, long since," said the other lord.
Then there was a question asked as to what he would do, and Mr. Low
proposed that he should be allowed to take Phineas to his own house
for a few days. His wife, he said, had known their friend so long and
so intimately that she might perhaps be able to make herself more
serviceable than any other lady, and at their house Phineas could
receive his sisters just as he would at his own. His sisters had been
lodging near the prison almost ever since the committal, and it had
been thought well to remove them to Mr. Low's house in order that
they might meet their brother there.

"I think I'll go to my--own room--in Marlborough Street." These were
the first intelligible words he had uttered since he had been led out
of the dock, and to that resolution he adhered. Lord Cantrip offered
the retirements of a country house belonging to himself within an
hour's journey of London, and Lord Chiltern declared that Harrington
Hall, which Phineas knew, was altogether at his service,--but Phineas
decided in favour of Mrs. Bunce, and to Great Marlborough Street he
was taken by Mr. Low.

"I'll come to you to-morrow,--with my wife,"--said Lord Chiltern, as
he was going.

"Not to-morrow, Chiltern. But tell your wife how deeply I value her
friendship." Lord Cantrip also offered to come, but was asked to
wait awhile. "I am afraid I am hardly fit for visitors yet. All the
strength seems to have been knocked out of me this last week."

Mr. Low accompanied him to his lodgings, and then handed him over to
Mrs. Bunce, promising that his two sisters should come to him early
on the following morning. On that evening he would prefer to be quite
alone. He would not allow the barrister even to go upstairs with him;
and when he had entered his room, almost rudely begged his weeping
landlady to leave him.

"Oh, Mr. Phineas, let me do something for you," said the poor woman.
"You have not had a bit of anything all day. Let me get you just a
cup of tea and a chop."

In truth he had dined when the judges went out to their lunch,--dined
as he had been wont to dine since the trial had been commenced,--and
wanted nothing. She might bring him tea, he said, if she would leave
him for an hour. And then at last he was alone. He stood up in the
middle of the room, stretching forth his hands, and putting one
first to his breast and then to