on his way out to the Hall.

The ladies had at first to justify their request that he should come to
them, and there was a difficulty in doing this, as he was received in
presence of their mother. Lady Sarah had not probably told herself that
the Marchioness was a spy, but she had perceived that it would not be
wise to discuss everything openly in her mother's presence. "It is
quite right that you should see him," said Lady Sarah.

"Quite right," said the old lady.

"Had he sent me even a message I should have been here, of course,"
said the brother. "He passed through London, and I would have met him
there had he not kept everything concealed."

"He isn't like anybody else, you know. You mustn't quarrel with him. He
is the head of the family. If we quarrel with him, what will become of
us?"

"What will become of him if everybody falls off from him. That's what I
am thinking of," said Lady Sarah.

Soon after this all the horrors that had taken place,--horrors which
could not be entrusted to a letter,--were narrated him. The Marquis had
insulted Dr. Pountner, he had not returned the Bishop's visit, he had
treated the Dean with violent insolence, and he had refused to receive
his brother-in-law, Mr. Holdenough, though the Holdenoughs had always
moved in county society! He had declared that none of his relatives
were to be introduced to his wife. He had not as yet allowed the
so-called Popenjoy to be seen. He had said none of them were to trouble
him at Manor Cross, and had explained his purpose, of only coming to
the Hall when he knew that his sister Sarah was away. "I think he must
be mad," said the younger brother.

"It is what comes of living in a godless country like Italy," said Lady
Amelia.

"It is what comes of utterly disregarding duty," said Lady Sarah.

But what was to be done? The Marquis had declared his purpose of doing
what he liked with his own, and certainly none of them could hinder
him. If he chose to shut himself and his wife up at the big house, he
must do so. It was very bad, but it was clear that they could not
interfere with his eccentricities. How was anybody to interfere? Of
course, there was present in the mind of each of them a feeling that
this woman might not be his wife, or that the child might not be
legitimate. But they did not like with open words among themselves to
accuse their brother of so great a crime. "I don't see what there is to
be done," said Lord George.

The Churc