ll, and calling Harold,
quitted the chamber.

Book 2 Chapter 15

"Where have you been all the morning, Charles?" said Lord Marney coming
into his brother's dressing-room a few minutes before dinner; "Arabella
had made the nicest little riding party for you and Lady Joan, and you
were to be found nowhere. If you go on in this way, there is no use of
having affectionate relations, or anything else."

"I have been walking about Mowbray. One should see a factory once in
one's life."

"I don't see the necessity," said Lord Marney; "I never saw one, and
never intend. Though to be sure, when I hear the rents that Mowbray gets
for his land in their neighbourhood, I must say I wish the worsted works
had answered at Marney. And if it had not been for our poor dear father,
they would."

"Our family have always been against manufactories,
railroads--everything," said Egremont.

"Railroads are very good things, with high compensation," said Lord
Marney; "and manufactories not so bad, with high rents; but, after all,
these are enterprises for the canaille, and I hate them in my heart."

"But they employ the people, George."

"The people do not want employment; it is the greatest mistake in the
world; all this employment is a stimulus to population. Never mind that;
what I came in for, is to tell you that both Arabella and myself think
you talk too much to Lady Maud."

"I like her the best."

"What has that to do with it my dear fellow? Business is business. Old
Mowbray will make an elder son out of his elder daughter. The affair
is settled; I know it from the best authority. Talking to Lady Maud is
insanity. It is all the same for her as if Fitz-Warene had never died.
And then that great event, which ought to be the foundation of your
fortune, would be perfectly thrown away. Lady Maud, at the best, is
nothing more than twenty thousand pounds and a fat living. Besides, she
is engaged to that parson fellow, St Lys.

"St Lys told me to-day that nothing would ever induce him to marry. He
would practise celibacy, though he would not enjoin it."

"Enjoin fiddle-stick! How came you to be talking to such a sanctified
imposter; and, I believe, with all his fine phrases, a complete radical.
I tell you what, Charles, you must really make way with Lady Joan. The
grandfather has come to-day, the old Duke. Quite a family party. It
looks so well. Never was such a golden opportunity. And you must be
sharp too. That little J