Two or three days passed by, and during those two or three days he did
not go to Berkeley Square.

CHAPTER XX.

BETWEEN TWO STOOLS.

In the middle of the next week the Dean went back to Brotherton. Before
starting he had an interview with Lord George which was not altogether
pleasant; but otherwise he had thoroughly enjoyed his visit. On the day
on which he started he asked his host what inquiries he intended to set
on foot in reference to the validity of the Italian marriage and the
legitimacy of the Italian baby. Now Lord George had himself in the
first instance consulted the Dean on this very delicate subject, and
was therefore not entitled to be angry at having it again mentioned;
but nevertheless he resented the question as an interference. "I
think," he replied, "that at present nothing had better be said upon
the subject."

"I cannot agree with you there, George."

"Then I am afraid I must ask you to be silent without agreeing with
me."

The Dean felt this to be intentionally uncivil. They two were in a boat
together. The injury to be done, if there were an injury, would affect
the wife as much as the husband. The baby which might some day be born,
and which might be robbed of his inheritance, would be as much the
grandchild of the Dean of Brotherton as of the old Marquis. And then
perhaps there was present to the Dean some unacknowledged feeling that
he was paying and would have to pay for the boat. Much as he revered
rank, he was not disposed to be snubbed by his son-in-law, because his
son-in-law was a nobleman. "You mean to tell me that I am to hold my
tongue," he said angrily.

"For the present I think we had both better do so."

"That may be, as regards any discussion of the matter with outsiders. I
am not at all disposed to act apart from you on a subject of such
importance to us both. If you tell me that you are advised this way or
that, I should not, without very strong ground, put myself in
opposition to that advice; but I do expect that you will let me know
what is being done."

"Nothing is being done."

"And also that you will not finally determine on doing nothing without
consulting me." Lord George drew himself up and bowed, but made no
further reply; and then the two parted, the Dean resolving that he
would be in town again before long, and Lord George reselving that the
Dean should spend as little time as possible in his house. Now, there
had been an undertaking, after a so