 again paused. When he resumed it was with a smile which strove to be
good-humoured.
    »We had better not argue of these things. If I said all that I think you
would accuse me of brutality. In logic you will overcome me. Put me down as one
of those who represent reaction and class prejudice. I am all prejudice.«
    Adela rose.
    »We have talked a long time,« she said, trying to speak lightly. »We have
such different views. I wish there were less class-prejudice.«
    Hubert scarcely noticed her words. She was quitting him, and he clung to the
last moment of her presence.
    »Shall you go - eventually go to London?« he asked.
    »I can't say. My husband has not yet been able to make plans.«
    The word irritated him. He half averted his face.
    »Good-bye, Mr. Eldon.«
    She did not offer her hand - durst not do so. Hubert bowed without speaking.
    When she was near the Manor gates she heard footsteps behind her. She turned
and saw her husband. Her cheeks flushed, for she had been walking in deep
thought. It seemed to her for an instant as if the subject of her preoccupation
could be read upon her face.
    »Where have you been?« Mutimer asked, indifferently.
    »For a walk. Into the wood.«
    He was examining her, for the disquiet of her countenance could not escape
his notice.
    »Why did you go alone? It would have done Alice good to get her out a
little.«
    »I'm afraid she wouldn't have come.«
    He hesitated.
    »Has she been saying anything to you?«
    »Only that she is troubled and anxious.«
    They walked on together in silence, Mutimer with bowed head and knitted
brows.

                                 Chapter XXVII

 
The making a virtue of necessity, though it argues lack of ingenuousness, is
perhaps preferable to the wholly honest demonstration of snarling over one's
misfortunes. It may result in good even to the hypocrite, who occasionally
surprises himself with the pleasure he finds in wearing a front of nobility, and
is thereby induced to consider the advantages of upright behaviour adopted for
its own sake. Something of this kind happened in the case of Richard Mutimer.
Seeing that there was no choice but to surrender his fortune, he set to work to
make the most of abdication, and with the result that the three weeks occupied
in settling his affairs at New Wanley and withdrawing from the Manor were full
of cheerful
