ght to take my views from him, not he his from me; and besides," she
said, with a little laugh, "I am, after all, not like an old acqu--not
like one he has known all his life, but comparatively new, and a stranger
to his ways of thinking--to any of his ways of thinking--and only learning
how he will look at this and that; you don't realise how that operates
even when people are married. Theo has very distinct views--which is
what he ought to have. The pity is that--I have lived so much alone--I
have too. It is a great deal better to be blank," she said, laughing
again. Her laugh was slightly nervous too, and it seemed to be intended
for Theo, whose conversation with his mother had now paused, and who was
occasionally glancing, not without suspicion, at his wife and sister
in the corner. Did she laugh to make him think that there was nothing
serious in their talk? She called to him to join them, making room upon
the sofa. "Chatty is tired," she said, "and out of spirits. I want to
try and amuse her a little, Theo, before Mrs. Warrender takes her away."

"Amusement is the last thing we were thinking of," he said, coming
forward with a sort of surly opposition, as if it came natural to him to
go against what she said. "My opinion is that she should go down to the
country at once, and not show at all in town this season. I don't think
it would be pleasant for any of us. There has been talk enough."

"There has been no talk that Chatty need care for," said Lady Markland
quietly; "don't think so, pray don't think so. Who could say anything of
her? People are bad enough in London, but not so bad as that."

"Nevertheless, mother," said Theo, "I think you and I understand each
other. Chatty and you have been enjoying yourselves abroad. You never
cared for town. It would be much better in every sense that you should
go home quietly now."

"We intended nothing else," said Mrs. Warrender, with a slight irritation,
"though I confess I see no reason. But we need not discuss that over
again. In the end of the week----"

"But this is only Monday. You cannot have anything to keep you here for
days. I think you should go to-morrow. A day's rest is surely enough."

"We have some people to see, Theo."

"If I were you I would see nobody. You will be sure to meet with
something unpleasant. Take Chatty home, that is far the best thing
you can do. Frances would say the same if she had not that unfortunate
desire to please everybody, to s