advocate the
system as expedient. Nor had he often heard a woman advocate any system
with the vehemence which Madam Gordeloup now displayed on this matter,
and with an allusion which was so very pointed to the special position
of his own sister-in-law. Did Lady Ongar agree with her? He felt as
though he should like to know his Julia's opinion on that matter.

"Sophie, Captain Clavering will think that you are in earnest," said the
countess, laughing.

"So I aim--in earnest. It is all wrong. You boil all the water out of de
pot before you put the gigot into it. So the gigot is no good, is tough
and dry, and you shut it up in an old house in the country. Then, to
make matters pretty, you talk about de fields and de daisies. I know.
'Thank you,' we should say. 'De fields and de daisies are so nice and so
good! Suppose you go down, my love, and walk in de fields, and pick de
daisies, and send them up to me by de railway!' Yes, that is what I
would say."

Captain Clavering was now quite in the dark, and began to regard the
little woman as a lunatic. When she spoke of the pot and the gigot he
vainly endeavored to follow her; and now that she had got among the
daisies he was more at a loss than ever. Fruit, vegetables, and cut
flowers came up, he knew, to London regularly from Clavering, when the
family was in town--but no daisies. In France it must, he supposed, be
different. He was aware, however, of his ignorance, and said nothing.

"No one ever did try to shut you up, Sophie!"

"No, indeed; M. Gordeloup knew better. What would he do if I were shut
up? And no one will ever shut you up, my dear. If I were you, I would
give no one a chance."

"Don't say that," said the captain, almost passionately; "don't say
that."

"Ha, ha! but I do say it. Why should a woman who has got everything
marry again? If she wants de fields and de daisies she has got them of
her own--yes, of her own. If she wants de town, she has got that, too.
Jewels--she can go and buy them. Coaches--there they are. Parties--one,
two, three, every night, as many as she please. Gentlemen, who will be
her humble slaves; such a plenty--all London. Or, if she want to be
alone, no one can come near her. Why should she marry? No."

"But she might be in love with somebody," said the captain, in a
surprised but humble tone.

"Love! Bah! Be in love, so that she may be shut up in an old barrack
with de powders!" The way in which that word barrack was pronounced