me; and he thinks
now--at least, he once said so--that he has never had a dull moment in
my company."

"How can he find amusement in the country?" said Lord Roehampton. "There
is no sport now, and a man cannot always be reading French novels."

"Well, I send amusing people down to him," said Berengaria. "It
is difficult to arrange, for he does not like toadies, which is so
unreasonable, for I know many toadies who are very pleasant. Treeby is
with him now, and that is excellent, for Treeby contradicts him, and is
scientific as well as fashionable, and gives him the last news of the
Sun as well as of White's. I want to get this great African traveller to
go down to him; but one can hardly send a perfect stranger as a guest.
I wanted Treeby to take him, but Treeby refused--men are so selfish.
Treeby could have left him there, and the traveller might have remained
a week, told all he had seen, and as much more as he liked. My lord
cannot stand Treeby more than two days, and Treeby cannot stand my lord
for a longer period, and that is why they are such friends."

"A sound basis of agreement," said Lord Roehampton. "I believe absence
is often a great element of charm."

"But, _a nos moutons_," resumed Lady Montfort. "You see now why I am so
anxious for a conclusion of our affair. I think it is ripe?"

"Why do you?" said Lord Roehampton.

"Well, she must be very much in love with you."

"Has she told you so?"

"No; but she looks in love."

"She has never told me so," said Lord Roehampton.

"Have you told her?"

"Well, I have not," said her companion. "I like the family--all of them.
I like Neuchatel particularly. I like his house and style of living.
You always meet nice people there, and bear the last thing that has been
said or done all over the world. It is a house where you are sure not to
be dull."

"You have described a perfect home," said Lady Montfort, "and it awaits
you."

"Well, I do not know," said Lord Roehampton. "Perhaps I am fastidious,
perhaps I am content; to be noticed sometimes by a Lady Montfort should,
I think, satisfy any man."

"Well, that is gallant, but it is not business, my dear lord. You can
count on my devotion even when you are married; but I want to see you on
a pinnacle, so that if anything happens there shall be no question who
is to be the first man in this country."

CHAPTER XL

The meeting of parliament caused also the return of Waldershare to
England, and brought