ather's carriage.
I think that she had no cause to leave me."

"Of course I cannot say anything about that."

"I think she had no cause to leave me." Phineas as he heard this
could not but remember all that Lady Laura had told himself, and
thought that no woman had ever had a better reason for leaving her
husband. "There were things I did not like, and I said so."

"I suppose that is generally the way," replied Phineas.

"But surely a wife should listen to a word of caution from her
husband."

"I fancy they never like it," said Phineas.

"But are we all of us to have all that we like? I have not found it
so. Or would it be good for us if we had?" Then he paused; but as
Phineas had no further remark to make, he continued speaking after
they had walked about a third of the length of the hall. "It is not
of my own comfort I am thinking now so much as of her name and her
future conduct. Of course it will in every sense be best for her that
she should come back to her husband's roof."

"Well; yes;--perhaps it would," said Phineas.

"Has she not accepted that lot for better or for worse?" said Mr.
Kennedy, solemnly.

"But incompatibility of temper, you know, is always,--always
supposed--. You understand me?"

"It is my intention that she should come back to me. I do not wish to
make any legal demand;--at any rate, not as yet. Will you consent to
be the bearer of a message from me both to herself and to the Earl?"

Now it seemed to Phineas that of all the messengers whom Mr. Kennedy
could have chosen he was the most unsuited to be a Mercury in this
cause,--not perceiving that he had been so selected with some craft,
in order that Lady Laura might understand that the accusation against
her was, at any rate, withdrawn, which had named Phineas as her
lover. He paused again before he answered. "Of course," he said, "I
should be most willing to be of service, if it were possible. But I
do not see how I can speak to the Earl about it. Though I am going to
dine with him I don't know why he has asked me;--for he and I are on
very bad terms. He heard that stupid story about the duel, and has
not spoken to me since."

"I heard that, too," said Mr. Kennedy, frowning blackly as he
remembered his wife's duplicity.

"Everybody heard of it. But it has made such a difference between him
and me, that I don't think I can meddle. Send for Lord Chiltern, and
speak to him."

"Speak to Chiltern! Never! He would probably strike me