an of the old house in perfect faith, and it was not
his fault that it had been refused. He could not make a house to live
in, nor could he coin a fortune. He had L800 a-year of his own, but
of course he owed a little money. Men with such incomes always do owe
a little money. It was almost impossible that he should marry quite
at once. It was not his fault that Adelaide had no fortune of her
own. When he fell in love with her he had been a great deal too
generous to think of fortune, and that ought to be remembered now to
his credit. Such was the sum of his thoughts, and his anger spread
itself from Lord Chiltern even on to Adelaide herself. Chiltern would
hardly have spoken in that way unless she had complained. She, no
doubt, had been speaking to Lady Chiltern, and Lady Chiltern had
passed it on to her husband. He would have it out with Adelaide on
the next morning,--quite decidedly. And he would make Lord Chiltern
understand that he would not endure interference. He was quite ready
to leave Harrington Hall at a moment's notice if he were ill-treated.
This was the humour in which Gerard Maule put himself to bed that
night.

On the following morning he was very late at breakfast,--so late that
Lord Chiltern had gone over to the kennels. As he was dressing he had
resolved that it would be fitting that he should speak again to his
host before he said anything to Adelaide that might appear to impute
blame to her. He would ask Chiltern whether anything was meant by
what had been said over-night. But, as it happened, Adelaide had been
left alone to pour out his tea for him, and,--as the reader will
understand to have been certain on such an occasion,--they were left
together for an hour in the breakfast parlour. It was impossible that
such an hour should be passed without some reference to the grievance
which was lying heavy on his heart. "Late; I should think you are,"
said Adelaide laughing. "It is nearly eleven. Lord Chiltern has been
out an hour. I suppose you never get up early except for hunting."

"People always think it is so wonderfully virtuous to get up. What's
the use of it?"

"Your breakfast is so cold."

"I don't care about that. I suppose they can boil me an egg. I was
very seedy when I went to bed."

"You smoked too many cigars, sir."

"No, I didn't; but Chiltern was saying things that I didn't like."
Adelaide's face at once became very serious. "Yes, a good deal of
sugar, please. I don't care about