the same unscrupulous bit of imposture. He had
brought himself round to a more settled state of mind and had got his
conscience into better order. If he were acting unselfishly, he deserved
commendation. But even if self-interest guided him he was free of blame.
No man is bound to let himself be swindled. He doubted seriously of
nothing now except his power to upset Harry Tristram's plans. He was
resolved to try; Mina must speak--and if money were needed, it must come
from somewhere. The mere assertion of what he meant to allege must at
least delay this hateful marriage. It must be added--though the Major
was careful not to add--that it would also give Harry Tristram a very
unpleasant shock; the wrestling bout by the Pool and the loss of that
shilling were not forgotten. It may further be observed--though the
Major could not be expected to observe--that he had such an estimate of
his own attractions as led him to seize very eagerly on any evidences of
liking for Harry's position, rather than of preference for Harry
himself, which Janie's letter might be considered to afford. The Major,
in fact, had a case; good argument made it seem a good case. It is
something to have a case that can be argued at all; morality has a sad
habit of leaving us without a leg to stand on. In the afternoon of that
day Duplay went down to Fairholme. Miss Swinkerton passed him on the
road and smiled sagaciously. Oh, if Miss S. had known the truth about
his errand! A gossip in ignorance has pathos as a spectacle.

Mr Neeld was still at Fairholme; he had been pressed to stay and needed
little pressing; in fact, in default of the pressure he would probably
have taken lodgings in the town. He could not go away; he had seen Addie
Tristram buried, and her son walking behind the coffin, clad in his new
dignity. His mind was full of the situation. Yet he had shrunk from
discussing it further with Mina Zabriska. The family anxiety about
Janie's love affair had been all round him. Now he suspected strongly
that some issue was being decided upon. He ought to speak, to break his
word to Mina and speak--or he ought to go. From day to day he meant to
go and cease to accept the hospitality which his silence seemed to
abuse. But he did not go. These internal struggles were new in his
placid and estimable life; this affair of Harry Tristram's had a way of
putting people in strange and difficult positions.

"Mind you say nothing--nothing--nothing." That sentence