I give you my
word. Apparently old Nevil has been standing up for every man's right to
run away with . . . Yes, really! I give you my word; and here we have
Shrapnel insisting on respect for the marriage laws. Do hear this; here
it is in black and white:--

"Society is our one tangible gain, our one roofing and flooring in a
world of most uncertain structures built on morasses. Toward the
laws that support it men hopeful of progress give their adhesion.
If it is martyrdom, what then? Let the martyrdom be. Contumacy is
animalism. And attend to me," says Shrapnel, "the truer the love
the readier for sacrifice! A thousand times yes. Rebellion against
Society, and advocacy of Humanity, run counter. Tell me Society is
the whited sepulchre, that it is blotched, hideous, hollow: and I
say, add not another disfigurement to it; add to the purification of
it. And you, if you answer, what can only one? I say that is the
animal's answer, and applies also to politics, where the question,
what can one? put in the relapsing tone, shows the country decaying
in the individual. Society is the protection of the weaker,
therefore a shield of women, who are our temple of civilization, to
be kept sacred; and he that loves a woman will assuredly esteem and
pity her sex, and not drag her down for another example of their
frailty. Fight this out within you--!"

But you are right, colonel; we have had sufficient. I shall be getting a
democratic orator's twang, or a crazy parson's, if I go on much further.
He covers thirty-two pages of letter-paper. The conclusion is:--"Jenny
sends you her compliments, respects, and best wishes, and hopes she may
see you before she goes to her friend Clara Sherwin and the General."'

'Sherwin? Why, General Sherwin's a perfect gentleman,' Colonel Halkett
interjected; and Lord Palmet caught the other name: 'Jenny? That's Miss
Denham, Jenny Denham; an amazingly pretty girl: beautiful thick brown
hair, real hazel eyes, and walks like a yacht before the wind.'

'Perhaps, colonel, Jenny accounts for the defence of society,' said
Captain Baskelett. 'I have no doubt Shrapnel has a scheme for Jenny. The
old communist and socialist!' He folded up the letter: 'A curious
composition, is it not, Miss Halkett?'

Cecilia was thinking that he tempted her to be the apologist of even such
a letter.

'One likes to know the worst, and what's possible,' said the colonel.

Af