aid Caroline.

"Yes; for a fortnight or so. Parliament will be up now in three
weeks, and I shall go to Scotland for a few days. Could not you make
it out with the old gentleman till you go to the Grimsdale's?"

"I would much rather remain at home, Sir Henry."

"Ah, yes; that is just like you. And I would much rather that you
went."

"If you wish to shut the house up, I shall not object to go to
Littlebath."

"Very probably not. But I should object to you going
there--exceedingly object to it. Of all places, it is the most
vulgar! the most--"

"You forget that I have dear friends living there."

"Dear friends! Yes; Miss Todd, I suppose. I think we may as well
leave Miss Todd alone. At the present moment, I am particularly
anxious that you should be attentive to your grandfather."

"But I have never been in the habit of staying at Hadley."

"Then the sooner you get into the habit the better."

"I cannot think why you should wish me to trouble an old man who
would not have the slightest pleasure in seeing me."

"That is all nonsense. If you behaved well to him, he would have
pleasure. Do you ever write to him?"

"Never."

"Write to him to-day then, and ask whether he would be glad to have
you."

Caroline did not answer her husband immediately, but went on
buttering her toast, and sipping her tea. She had never yet disobeyed
any positive order that he had given, and she was now thinking
whether she could obey this order; or, if not, how she would explain
to him that she could not do so.

"Well!" said he; "why do you not answer me? Will you write to him
to-day?"

"I had much rather not."

"Does that mean that you won't?"

"I fear, Sir Henry, that it must mean it. I have not been on terms
with my grandfather which would admit of my doing so."

"Nonsense!" said her lord and master.

"You are not very civil to me this morning."

"How can a man be civil when he hears such trash as that? You know
how I am situated--how great the stake is; and you will do nothing to
help me win it." To this she made no answer. Of what use would it be
for her to answer? She also had thrown away her pearl, and taken in
exchange this piece of brass. There was nothing for her, too, but to
bear her misery.

"Upon my word, you take it all very coolly," he continued; "you seem
to think that houses, and furniture, and carriages, and horses are to
grow up all round you without any effort on your own part. Does it
ever strik