speculated as to its contents, and inquired within himself
whether it would not be for the welfare of the world in general, and
for the welfare of himself in particular, that husbands should demand
to read their wives' letters.

And this was Violet's letter to her aunt:--

MY DEAR AUNT,

The thing has come at last, and all your troubles will be
soon over;--for I do believe that all your troubles have
come from your unfortunate niece. At last I am going to
be married, and thus take myself off your hands. Lord
Chiltern has just been here, and I have accepted him. I am
afraid you hardly think so well of Lord Chiltern as I do;
but then, perhaps, you have not known him so long. You do
know, however, that there has been some difference between
him and his father. I think I may take upon myself to say
that now, upon his engagement, this will be settled. I
have the inexpressible pleasure of feeling sure that Lord
Brentford will welcome me as his daughter-in-law. Tell the
news to Augusta with my best love. I will write to her in
a day or two. I hope my cousin Gustavus will condescend
to give me away. Of course there is nothing fixed about
time;--but I should say, perhaps, in nine years.

Your affectionate niece,

VIOLET EFFINGHAM.

Loughlinter, Friday.

"What does she mean about nine years?" said Lady Baldock in her
wrath.

"She is joking," said the mild Augusta.

"I believe she would--joke, if I were going to be buried," said Lady
Baldock.

CHAPTER LIII

Showing How Phineas Bore the Blow

When Phineas received Lady Laura Kennedy's letter, he was sitting in
his gorgeous apartment in the Colonial Office. It was gorgeous in
comparison with the very dingy room at Mr. Low's to which he had been
accustomed in his early days,--and somewhat gorgeous also as compared
with the lodgings he had so long inhabited in Mr. Bunce's house. The
room was large and square, and looked out from three windows on to
St. James's Park. There were in it two very comfortable arm-chairs
and a comfortable sofa. And the office table at which he sat was of
old mahogany, shining brightly, and seemed to be fitted up with every
possible appliance for official comfort. This stood near one of the
windows, so that he could sit and look down upon the park. And there
was a large round table covered with books and newspapers. And the
walls of the room were bright with maps of al