ame strain.
The Marquis had declared her to be utterly worthless. It was not that
he wished to think of her as they thought, or that he could be brought
so to think; but these suggestions, coming as they did from those who
knew how much he liked the woman, amounted to ridicule aimed against
the purity of his worship. They told him,--almost told him,--that he
was afraid to speak of love to Lady George. Indeed he was afraid, and
within his own breast he was in some sort proud of his fear. But,
nevertheless, he was touched by their ridicule. He and Mary had
certainly been dear friends. Certainly that friendship had given great
umbrage to her husband. Was he bound to keep away from her because of
her husband's anger? He knew that they two were not living together. He
knew that the Dean would at any rate welcome him. And he knew, too,
that there was no human being he wished to see again so much as Lady
George. He had no purpose as to anything that he would say to her, but
he was resolved that he would see her. If then some word warmer than
any he had yet spoken should fall from him, he would gather from her
answer what her feelings were towards him. In going back to London on
the morrow he must pass by Brotherton, and he would make his
arrangements so as to remain there for an hour or two.

CHAPTER LII.

ANOTHER LOVER.

The party at Rudham Park had hardly been a success,--nor was it much
improved in wit or gaiety when Mrs. Montacute Jones, Lord Giblet, and
Jack de Baron had gone away, and Canon Holdenough and his wife, with
Mr. Groschut, had come in their places. This black influx, as Lord
Brotherton called it, had all been due to consideration for his
Lordship. Mr. De Baron thought that his guest would like to see, at any
rate, one of his own family, and Lady Alice Holdenough was the only one
whom he could meet. As to Mr. Groschut, he was the Dean's bitterest
enemy, and would, therefore, it was thought, be welcome. The Bishop had
been asked, as Mr. De Baron was one who found it expedient to make
sacrifices to respectability; but, as was well known, the Bishop never
went anywhere except to clerical houses. Mr. Groschut, who was a
younger man, knew that it behoved him to be all things to all men, and
that he could not be efficacious among sinners unless he would allow
himself to be seen in their paths. Care was, of course, taken that
Lady Alice should find herself alone with her brother. It was probably
expected t