. Perhaps it was thought that
under no circumstances should a Marquis be knocked into the fireplace
by a clergyman. There was still a good deal of mystery, both as to
Popenjoy and as to the fireplace, and the Marquis was the hero of these
mysteries. Everyone at Rudham was anxious to sit by his side and to be
allowed to talk to him. When he abused the Dean, which he did freely,
those who heard him assented to all he said. The Baroness Banmann held
up her hands in horror when she heard the tale, and declared the Church
to be one grand betise. Mrs. Houghton, who was very attentive to the
Marquis and whom the Marquis liked, was pertinacious in her enquiries
after Popenjoy, and cruelly sarcastic upon the Dean. "Think what was
his bringing up," said Mrs. Houghton.

"In a stable," said the Marquis.

"I always felt it to be a great pity that Lord George should have made
that match;--not but what she is a good creature in her way."

"She is no better than she should be," said the Marquis. Then Mrs.
Houghton found herself able to insinuate that perhaps, after all, Mary
was not a good creature, even in her own way. But the Marquis's chief
friend was Jack De Baron. He talked to Jack about races and billiards,
and women; but though he did not refrain from abusing the Dean, he said
no word to Jack against Mary. If it might be that the Dean should
receive his punishment in that direction he would do nothing to prevent
it. "They tell me she's a beautiful woman. I have never seen her
myself," said the Marquis.

"She is very beautiful," said Jack.

"Why the devil she should have married George, I can't think. She
doesn't care for him the least."

"Don't you think she does?"

"I'm sure she don't. I suppose her pestilent father thought it was the
nearest way to a coronet. I don't know why men should marry at all.
They always get into trouble by it."

"Somebody must have children," suggested Jack.

"I don't see the necessity. It's nothing to me what comes of the
property after I'm gone. What is it, Madam?" They were sitting out on
the lawn after lunch and Jack and the Marquis were both smoking. As
they were talking the Baroness had come up to them and made her little
proposition. "What! a lecture! If Mr. De Baron pleases, of course. I
never listen to lectures myself,--except from my wife."

"Ah! dat is vat I vant to prevent."

"I have prevented it already by sending her to Italy. Oh, rights of
women! Very interesting; but I do