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her marrying him。 What does she want to go mixing in with people
who despise her for？ Now look here； Mr。 Mountclere； since you have
been and called me out to talk this over； it is only fair that you
should tell me the exact truth about your brother。 Is it a lie； or
is it true； that he is not fit to be the husband of a decent woman？'
'That is a curious inquiry；' said Mountclere； whose manner and
aspect； neutral as a winter landscape； had little in common with
Sol's warm and unrestrained bearing。 'There are reasons why I think
your sister will not be happy with him。'
'Then it is true what they say；' said Sol； bringing down his fist
upon the table。 'I know your meaning well enough。 What's to be
done？ If I could only see her this minute； she might be kept out of
it。'
'You think your presence would influence your sisterif you could
see her before the wedding？'
'I think it would。 But who's to get at her？'
'I am going； so you had better come on with meunless it would be
best for your father to come。'
'Perhaps it might；' said the bewildered Sol。 'But he will not be
able to get away； and it's no use for Dan to go。 If anybody goes I
must！ If she has made up her mind nothing can be done by writing to
her。'
'I leave at once to see Lord Mountclere；' the other continued。 'I
feel that as my brother is evidently ignorant of the position of
Mrs。 Petherwin's family and connections； it is only fair in me； as
his nearest relative； to make them clear to him before it is too
late。'
'You mean that if he knew her friends were working…people he would
not think of her as a wife？ 'Tis a reasonable thought。 But make
your mind easy： she has told him。 I make a great mistake if she
has for a moment thought of concealing that from him。'
'She may not have deliberately done so。 Butand I say this with no
ill…feelingit is a matter known to few； and she may have taken no
steps to undeceive him。 I hope to bring him to see the matter
clearly。 Unfortunately the thing has been so secret and hurried
that there is barely time。 I knew nothing until this morningnever
dreamt of such a preposterous occurrence。'
'Preposterous！ If it should come to pass； she would play her part
as his lady as well as any other woman； and better。 I wish there
was no more reason for fear on my side than there is on yours！
Things have come to a sore head when she is not considered lady
enough for such as he。 But perhaps your meaning is； that if your
brother were to have a son； you would lose your heir…presumptive
title to the cor'net of Mountclere？ Well； 'twould be rather hard
for ye； now I come to think o'tupon my life； 'twould。'
'The suggestion is as delicate as the atmosphere of this vile
room。 But let your ignorance be your excuse； my man。 It is hardly
worth while for us to quarrel when we both have the same object in
view： do you think so？'
'That's truethat's true。 When do you start； sir？'
'We must leave almost at once；' said Mountclere； looking at his
watch。 'If we cannot catch the two o'clock train； there is no
getting there to…nightand to…morrow we could not possibly arrive
before one。'
'I wish there was time for me to go and tidy myself a bit；' said
Sol； anxiously looking down at his working clothes。 'I suppose you
would not like me to go with you like this？'
'Confound the clothes！ If you cannot start in five minutes； we
shall not be able to go at all。'
'Very well； thenwait while I run across to the shop； then I am
ready。 How do we get to the station？'
'My carriage is at the corner waiting。 When you come out I will
meet you at the gates。'
Sol then hurried downstairs； and a minute or two later Mr。
Mountclere followed； looking like a man bent on policy at any price。
The carriage was brought round by the time that Sol reappeared from
the yard。 He entered and sat down beside Mountclere； not without a
sense that he was spoiling good upholstery； the coachman then
allowed the lash of his whip to alight with the force of a small fly
upon the horses； which set them up in an angry trot。 Sol rolled on
beside his new acquaintance with the shamefaced look of a man going
to prison in a van； for pedestrians occasionally gazed at him； full
of what seemed to himself to be ironical surprise。
'I am afraid I ought to have changed my clothes after all；' he said；
writhing under a perception of the contrast between them。 'Not
knowing anything about this； I ain't a bit prepared。 If I had got
even my second…best hat； it wouldn't be so bad。'
'It makes no difference；' said Mountclere inanimately。
'Or I might have brought my portmantle； with some things。'
'It really is not important。'
On reaching the station they found there were yet a few minutes to
spare； which Sol made use of in writing a note to his father； to
explain what had occurred。
42。 THE DONCASTLES' RESIDENCE； AND OUTSIDE THE SAME
Mrs。 Doncastle's dressing…bell had rung； but Menlove； the lady's
maid； having at the same time received a letter by the evening post；
paused to read it before replying to the summons：
'ENCKWORTH COURT； Wednesday。
DARLING LOUISA；I can assure you that I am no more likely than
yourself to form another attachment； as you will perceive by what
follows。 Before we left town I thought that to be able to see you
occasionally was sufficient for happiness； but down in this lonely
place the case is different。 In short； my dear； I ask you to
consent to a union with me as soon as you possibly can。 Your
prettiness has won my eyes and lips completely； sweet； and I lie
awake at night to think of the golden curls you allowed to escape
from their confinement on those nice times of private clothes； when
we walked in the park and slipped the bonds of service； which you
were never born to any more than I。 。 。 。
'Had not my own feelings been so strong； I should have told you at
the first dash of my pen that what I expected is coming to pass at
lastthe old dog is going to be privately married to Mrs。 P。 Yes；
indeed； and the wedding is coming off to…morrow； secret as the
grave。 All her friends will doubtless leave service on account of
it。 What he does now makes little difference to me； of course； as I
had already given warning； but I shall stick to him like a Briton in
spite of it。 He has to…day made me a present； and a further five
pounds for yourself； expecting you to hold your tongue on every
matter connected with Mrs。 P。's friends； and to say nothing to any
of them about this marriage until it is over。 His lordship
impressed this upon me very strong； and familiar as a brother； and
of course we obey his instructions to the letter； for I need hardly
say that unless he keeps his promise to help me in setting up the
shop； our nuptials cannot be consumed。 His help depends upon our
obedience； as you are aware。 。 。 。'
This； and much more； was from her very last lover； Lord Mountclere's
valet； who had been taken in hand directly she had convinced herself
of Joey's hopeless youthfulness。 The missive sent Mrs。 Menlove's
spirits soaring like spring larks； she flew upstairs in answer to
the bell wit