u won't speak up for him, I will. I'm quite sure Lord George
Germain never in his life did anything that he ought not to do. That's
his fault. Don't you like men who do what they ought not to do?"

"No," said Mary, "I don't. Everybody always ought to do what they ought
to do. And you ought to go to sleep, and so I shall go away." She knew
that it was not all right,--that there was something fast, and also
something vulgar, about this self-appointed friend of hers. But though
Mrs. Houghton was fast, and though she was vulgar, she was a relief to
the endless gloom of Manor Cross.

On the next day Mr. Houghton came, explaining to everybody that he had
given up his day's hunting for the sake of his wife. But he could say
but little, and could do nothing, and he did not remain long. "Don't
stay away from the meet another day," his wife said to him; "I shan't
get well any the sooner, and I don't like being a drag upon you." Then
the husband went away, and did not come for the next two days. On the
Sunday he came over in the afternoon and stayed for half-an-hour, and
on the following Tuesday he appeared on his way to the meet in top
boots and a red coat. He was, upon the whole, less troublesome to the
Manor Cross people than might have been expected.

Mr. Price came every morning to enquire, and very gracious passages
passed between him and the lady. On the Saturday she was up, sitting on
a sofa in a dressing gown, and he was brought in to see her. "It was
all my fault, Mr. Price," she said immediately. "I heard what Mr.
Houghton said to you; I couldn't speak then, but I was so sorry."

"What a husband says, ma'am, at such a time, goes for nothing."

"What husbands say, Mr. Price, very often does go for nothing." He
turned his hat in his hand, and smiled. "If it had not been so, all
this wouldn't have happened, and I shouldn't have upset you into the
water. But all the same, I hope you'll give me a lead another day, and
I'll take great care not to come so close to you again." This pleased
Mr. Price so much, that as he went home he swore to himself that if
ever she asked him again, he would do just the same as he had done on
the day of the accident.

When Price, the farmer, had seen her, of course it became Lord George's
duty to pay her his compliments in person. At first he visited her in
company with his wife and Lady Sarah, and the conversation was very
stiff. Lady Sarah was potent enough to quell even Mrs. Houghton. Bu