nged that no Germain of a former generation
would know it. The old Dowager who still lives at Manor Cross has never
seen the change, but Lady Sarah, who always spends a month or two in
town, pretends to disbelieve that it is the same house. One of the
events in Mary's life which astonishes her most is the perfect
friendship which exists between her and her eldest sister-in-law. She
corresponds regularly with Lady Sarah, and is quite content to have her
letters filled with the many ailments and scanty comforts of the poor
people on the estate. Lady Sarah is more than content to be able to
love the mother of the heir, and she does love her, and the boy too,
with all her heart. Now that there is a Popenjoy,--a coming Brotherton,
of whom she can be proud, she finds nothing in her own life with which
she ought to quarrel. The Ladies Susanna and Amelia also come up to
town every year, very greatly to their satisfaction, and are most
devoted to the young Marchioness. But the one guest who is honoured
above all others in St. James' Square, for whose comfort everything is
made to give way, whom not to treat with loving respect is to secure a
banishment from the house, whom all the servants are made to regard as
a second master, is the Dean. His lines have certainly fallen to him in
pleasant places. No woman in London is more courted and more popular
than the Marchioness of Brotherton, and consequently the Dean spends
his two months in London very comfortably. But perhaps the happiest
period of his life is the return visit which his daughter always makes
to him for a fortnight during the winter. At this period the Marquis
will generally pass a couple of days at the deanery, but for the
greater part of the time the father and daughter are alone together.
Then he almost worships her. Up in London he allows himself to be
worshipped with an exquisite grace. To Mrs. Houghton the Marchioness
has never spoken, and on that subject she is inexorable. Friends have
interceded, but such intercession has only made matters worse. Of what
nature must the woman be who could speak to any friend of such an
offence as she had committed? The Marchioness, in refusing to be
reconciled, has never alluded to the cause of her anger, but has shown
her anger plainly and has persistently refused to abandon it.

The Marquis has become a model member of the House of Lords. He is
present at all their sittings, and is indefatigably patient on
Committees,--but v