s if it had been the case. But
notwithstanding this, she knew that John would be angry with what she
had done or promised to do, and would put every possible impediment in
her way: and when she sent for him, in order that she might carry out
her promise, it was with a heart as sick with fright and as much
disturbed by the idea of a scolding as ever child's was.

John had been very little to the house at Curzon Street. He had dined
two or three times with Mrs. Dennistoun alone, and once or twice Elinor
had been of the party; but the Comptons had never any guests at that
house, and the fact already mentioned that Philip Compton never dined at
home made it a difficult matter for Mrs. Dennistoun to ask any but her
oldest friends to the curious little divided house, which was neither
hers nor theirs. Thus Cousin John had met, but no more, Elinor's
husband, and neither of the gentlemen had shown the least desire to
cultivate the acquaintance. John had not expressed his sentiments
on the subject to any one, but Phil, as was natural, had been more
demonstrative. "I don't think much of your relations, Nell," he said,
"if that's a specimen: a prig if ever there was one--and that old sheep
that was at the wedding, the father of him, I suppose----"

"As they are my relations, Phil, you might speak of them a little more
respectfully."

"Oh, respectfully! Bless us all! I have no respect for my own, and why I
should have for yours, my little dear, I confess I can't see. Oh, by the
way, this is Cousin John, who I used to think by your blushing and all
that----"

"Phil, I think you are trying to make me angry. Cousin John is the best
man in the world; but I never blushed--how ridiculous! I might as well
have blushed to speak of my brother."

"I put no confidence in brothers, unless they're real ones," said Phil;
"but I'm glad I've seen him, Nell. I doubt after all that you're such a
fool, when you see us together--eh?" He laughed that laugh of conscious
superiority which, when it is not perfectly well-founded, sounds so
fatuous to the hearer. Elinor did not look at him. She turned her head
away and made no reply.

John, on his part, as has been said, made no remark. If he had possessed
a wife at home to whom he could have confided his sentiments, as Phil
Compton had, it is possible that he might have said something not
unsimilar. But then had he had a wife at home he would have been more
indifferent to Phil, and might not have ca