ment
imperilled by her consent to fly with him. Her subsequent reserve until
they met--by an accident that the lady at any rate was not responsible
for, proved the quality positively. And the nature of her character,
at first suspected, vanquished him more, by comparison, than her vivid
intellect, which he originally, and still lingeringly, appreciated in
condescension, as a singular accomplishment, thrilling at times, now
and then assailably feminine. But, after her consent to a proposal that
caused him retrospective worldly shudders, and her composed recognition
of the madness, a character capable of holding him in some awe was real
majesty, and it rose to the clear heights, with her mental attributes
for satellites. His tendency to despise women was wholesomely checked by
the experience to justify him in saying, Here is a worthy one! She
was health to him, as well as trusty counsel. Furthermore, where he
respected, he was a governed man, free of the common masculine craze
to scale fortresses for the sake of lowering flags. Whilst under his
impression of her character, he submitted honourably to the ascendancy
of a lady whose conduct suited him and whose preference flattered;
whose presence was very refreshing; whose letters were a stimulant. Her
letters were really running well-waters, not a lover's delusion of the
luminous mind of his lady. They sparkled in review and preserved their
integrity under critical analysis. The reading of them hurried him in
pursuit of her from house to house during the autumn; and as she did
not hint at the shadow his coming cast on her, his conscience was easy.
Regarding their future, his political anxieties were a mountainous
defile, curtaining the outlook. They met at Lockton, where he arrived
after a recent consultation with his Chief, of whom, and the murmurs of
the Cabinet, he spoke to Diana openly, in some dejection.

'They might see he has been breaking with his party for the last four
years,' she said. 'The plunge to be taken is tremendous.'

'But will he? He appears too despondent for a header.'

'We cannot dance on a quaking floor.'

'No; it 's exactly that quake of the floor which gives "much qualms," to
me as well,' said Dacier.

'A treble Neptune's power!' she rejoined, for his particular
delectation. 'Enough if he hesitates. I forgive him his nausea. He
awaits the impetus, and it will reach him, and soon. He will not wait
for the mob at his heels, I am certain. A Mini