on on the subject,
and had agreed that they would each of them act as though the Marquis
had been like any other gentleman, and his wife like any other newly
married lady. They were both now connected with the family, and even
bound to act on the presumption that there would be family friendship.
The Dean went on his errand first, and the Dean was admitted into his
sitting-room. This happened a day or two after the scene at Cross Hall.
"I don't know that I should have troubled you so soon," said the Dean,
"had not your brother married my daughter." The Dean had thought over
the matter carefully, making up his mind how far he would be courteous
to the man, and where he would make a stand if it were necessary that
he should make a stand at all. And he had determined that he would ask
after the new Lady Brotherton, and speak of the child as Lord Popenjoy,
the presumption being that a man is married when he says so himself,
and that his child is legitimate when declared to be so. His present
acknowledgment would not bar any future proceedings.

"There has been a good deal of marrying and giving in marriage since I
have been away," replied the Marquis.

"Yes, indeed. There has been your brother, your sister, and last, not
least, yourself."

"I was not thinking of myself. I meant among you here. The church seems
to carry everything before it."

It seemed to the Dean, who was sufficiently mindful of his daughter's
fortune, and who knew to a penny what was the very liberal income of
Canon Holdenough, that in these marriages the church had at least given
as much as it had got. "The church holds its own," said the Dean, "and
I hope that it always will. May I venture to express a hope that the
Marchioness is well."

"Not very well."

"I am sorry for that. Shall I not have the pleasure of seeing her
to-day?"

The Marquis looked as though he were almost astounded at the impudence
of the proposition; but he replied to it by the excuse that he had made
before. "Unless you speak Italian I'm afraid you would not get on very
well with her."

"She will not find that I have the Tuscan tongue or the Roman mouth,
but I have enough of the language to make myself perhaps intelligible
to her ladyship."

"We will postpone it for the present, if you please, Mr. Dean."

There was an insolence declared in the man's manner and almost declared
in his words, which made the Dean at once determine that he would never
again ask after the ne