
- by an accident that the lady at any rate was not responsible for, proved the
quality positively. And the nature of her character, at first suspected,
vanquished him more, by comparison, than her vivid intellect, which he
originally, and still lingeringly, appreciated in condescension, as a singular
accomplishment, thrilling at times, now and then assailably feminine. But, after
her consent to a proposal that caused him retrospective worldly shudders, and
her composed recognition of the madness, a character capable of holding him in
some awe was real majesty, and it rose to the clear heights, with her mental
attributes for satellites. His tendency to despise women was wholesomely checked
by the experience to justify him in saying, Here is a worthy one! She was health
to him, as well as trusty counsel. Furthermore, where he respected, he was a
governed man, free of the common masculine craze to scale fortresses for the
sake of lowering flags. Whilst under his impression of her character, he
submitted honourably to the ascendancy of a lady whose conduct suited him and
whose preference flattered; whose presence was very refreshing; whose letters
were a stimulant. Her letters were really running well-waters, not a lover's
delusion of the luminous mind of his lady. They sparkled in review and preserved
their integrity under critical analysis. The reading of them hurried him in
pursuit of her from house to house during the autumn; and as she did not hint at
the shadow his coming cast on her, his conscience was easy. Regarding their
future, his political anxieties were a mountainous defile, curtaining the
outlook. They met at Lockton, where he arrived after a recent consultation with
his Chief, of whom, and the murmurs of the Cabinet, he spoke to Diana openly, in
some dejection.
    »They might see he has been breaking with his party for the last four
years,« she said. »The plunge to be taken is tremendous.«
    »But will he? He appears too despondent for a header.«
    »We cannot dance on a quaking floor.«
    »No; it's exactly that quake of the floor which gives much qualms, to me as
well,« said Dacier.
    »A treble Neptune's power!« she rejoined, for his particular delectation.
»Enough if he hesitates. I forgive him his nausea. He awaits the impetus, and it
will reach him, and soon. He will not wait for the mob at his heels, I am
certain. A Minister who does that, is a post, and goes down with
