the drawing-room, and caught his wife dozing over a magazine. He put his hand on her shoulder, and said,
"Julia!"
She started, and dropped her book.
"Oh, you are back at last! Have you had anything to eat?"
"More than I am able to digest, my dear."
"How did the speech succeed? You remembered Langland's date, I hope?"
"My dear, I have heard too many speeches to-day to remember anything about my own—that is to say, yours. I have had three—one from Mr. Welsh, one from Captain Saltren, and one from Arminell, and upon my soul, I do not know which was the most unpleasant. Do you know where Arminell has been since dinner?"
"In her room, I suppose."
"No; she has been out—with Jingles."
"Never!"
Her ladyship looked blank.
"It is a fact. She went with him to a meeting held by the malcontents against me; went to hear what they had to say against her own father, and went with that fellow with whom you had cautioned her not to be seen, and whom I had forbidden to associate with her."
"Good gracious! how improper."
"The girl is unmanageable. However, I have got her to promise to go to her Aunt Hermione for a bit, if Hermione will take her. I tried to make her agree to six months, but I am not sure that I can bring her to consent to so long a banishment."
"But—to go out with Jingles, after all that has been said to her!"
"And for him to have the audacity to take her out—and to such a meeting."
"They must have gone out immediately after dinner. You have not dined?"
