ve some
relaxation. But his great effort of all should be made in the House
of Commons. He would endeavour to make his father perceive that he
had appreciated that letter. He would always be in the House soon
after four, and would remain there,--for, if possible, as long as the
Speaker sat in the chair. He had already begun to feel that there was
a difficulty in keeping his seat upon those benches. The half-hours
there would be so much longer than elsewhere! An irresistible desire
of sauntering out would come upon him. There were men the very sound
of whose voices was already odious to him. There had come upon him a
feeling in regard to certain orators, that when once they had begun
there was no reason why they should ever stop. Words of some sort
were always forthcoming, like spiders' webs. He did not think that he
could learn to take a pleasure in sitting in the House; but he hoped
that he might be man enough to do it, though it was not pleasant. He
would begin to-day, instead of going to the Oaks.

But before he went to the House he would see Lady Mabel Grex. And
here it may be well to state that in making his resolutions as to
a better life, he had considered much whether it would not be well
for him to take a wife. His father had once told him that when he
married, the house in Carlton Terrace should be his own. "I will be a
lodger if you will have me," said the Duke; "or if your wife should
not like that, I will find a lodging elsewhere." This had been in the
sadness and tenderness which had immediately followed the death of
the Duchess. Marriage would steady him. Were he a married man, Tifto
would of course disappear. Upon the whole he thought it would be good
that he should marry. And, if so, who could be so nice as Lady Mabel?
That his father would be contented with Lady Mab, he was inclined to
believe. There was no better blood in England. And Lady Mabel was
known to be clever, beautiful, and, in her peculiar circumstances,
very wise.

He was aware, however, of a certain drawback. Lady Mabel as his wife
would be his superior, and in some degree his master. Though not
older she was wiser than he,--and not only wiser but more powerful
also. And he was not quite sure but that she regarded him as a
boy. He thought that she did love him,--or would do so if he asked
her,--but that her love would be bestowed upon him as on an inferior
creature. He was already jealous of his own dignity, and fearful lest
he should