He Knew He Was Right

as now difficult for a young man to find his way, and almost impossible for a man who was no longer young, and therefore known to many. It had been founded some twenty years since with the idea of pr

activity might be practised, but no one ever asked for them now-a-days, and a man, when he became an Acrobat, did so with a view either

said one distinguished Acrobat t

managing that? He w

of a lounge for him. It doesn’t count as leave, and he has every shilling paid for him, down

must be some plan in the matter between his wife and Colonel Osborne, of which he had been kept ignorant. Hitherto, indeed, his wife, as the reader knows, could not have told him. He had not seen her since the matter had been discussed between her and her friend. But he was angry because he first learned at his club that which he thought he ought to have learned at home. As soon as he reached his house he

oday?’ he said. ‘I thought

e she thought you would be home, and she d

n features, frowned, and showed that he was displeased. He hesitated a moment, thinking whether he would ask Nora

late, I fear

, are the last,’

a minute,’ s

hired brougham which wa

s be an autumn tour. ‘One learns something from going about; but one learns nothing from keeping a carriage,’ Emily had said. Those had been happy days, in which it had been intended that everything should always be rose-coloured. Now he was meditating whether, in lieu of that autumn tour, it would not be necessary to ta

r the answers given, but because it is expedient that there should not be silence. Nora said something about Marshall and Snellgrove and tried to make believe that she was very anxious for her sister’s answer. And Emily said something about the opera at Covent Garden, which was intended to show that her mind was quite at ease. But both of them failed altogether, and knew that they failed. Once or twice Trevelyan thought that he would say

for her baby, and explaining that a mother during a certain interesting portion of her life, should refresh herself with a certain kind of malt liquor. Of all counsel on such domestic subjects Mrs Trevelyan was impatient, as indeed it was her nature to be in all matters, and consequently, authorized as she had been by her husband’s manner of speaking of his mother’s friend, she had taken a habit of quizzing Lady Milborough behind her back, and almost of continuing the practice before the old lady’s face. Lady Milborough, who was the mos

e Mrs Charles Glascock. Now, whether she might think fit, or whether she might not, the presence of the gentleman under such circumstances, as far as she was concerned, gave an interest to the evening. And as Lady Milborough took care that Mr Glascock should take Nora down to dinner, the interest was very great. Mr Glascock was a good-looking man, just under forty, in Parli

mpliment of falling in love with her, and this is a compliment to which few girls are indifferent. Nora might perhaps have tried to fall in love with Mr Glascock, had she not been forced to make comparisons between him and another. This other one had not fallen

seat, a very grand place in Worcestershire. Of course he knew very

that part of England

hams. The oaks there are the fines

ave none in the islands, and nobo

Shall I? Indeed I hope that some d

, he can hardly mean other than to invite her to live there with him. It must at least be his purpose to signify that,

part of the country,’ she said. There was something perhaps in her tone

rsons only, close to Mrs Trevelyan. Emily, thinking that she might perhaps hear some advice about Guinness’s stout, prepare

ot your father very intimat

mate with him, L

so. That makes it of course na

ee years and some months which she had hitherto lived, there had been a consecutive period of

f course; and I don’t mean

ke his wife to Naples, because this horrid Colonel would make himself at home in Mrs Poole’s drawing-room in Knightsbridge. Augustus Poole, with courage enough to take any man by the beard, had taking by the beard been possible, had found it impossible to dislodge the Colonel. He could not do so without making a row which would have been disgraceful to himself and injurious to his wife; and therefore he had taken Mrs Poole to Naples. Lady Milbor

ld of her dearest friend, and she persevered. ‘Do you know I don’t quite like that Colonel Osborne coming so much to your house.’ The face before her became still blacker, but still the man said nothing. ‘I dare say it is a prejudice on my part, but I have always disliked him. I think he is a dangerous friend — what I call a snake in the grass. And though Emily’s high good sense, and love for you, and general feelings on such a subject, are just what

n. He believed him to be a snake in the grass. But it was intolerably bitter to him that he should be warned about his wife’s conduct by any living human being; that he, to whom the world had been so full of good fortune, that he, who had in truth taught himself

at is all,’ said Lady Milbo

elf. He hardly spoke another word that evening till the brougham was announced; and his wife had observed his silence. When they were seated in the carriage, he together with his wife and Nora Rowley, he immediately asked a question about Sir Marmaduke. ‘Emily,’ he said, ‘is th

eard of it,’ s

ave I not

a secret,’ said M

rybody else knows it! And

wish that it should be kn

r with which I may not be made acquainted? I will have nothing more between

hear you

, that you shall not see Colonel Osborne again. You do not know it, perhaps, but you are already forfeiting

o not say tha

him speak it all a

now only necessary that you should give me

have to say, perhaps you will

have given me your promise.’ ‘Then

pray do what he tel

cause she is obstinate, and will not learn from those who know better than herself what

ds addressed to me by my husband? If I am fit to be told that I must promise not to see any man living, I cannot be fit to be any man’s wife.’ Then

to blame,’ said Nora to

d cautioned her against being intimate with him? I am sorry that she should suffer; but it i

. But she was too much in a hurry to get to her sister to make the matter plain, and he was too much angered to listen to her. He shook his head when s

ent should be spoken openly. It was in vain to endeavour to make peace on that night. Nora hurried up to her sister, and found that the hysterical tears had again given place to anger. She woul