A mental struggle, p. 11

A Mental Struggle. 3

exclusive ! It is an eminently well-bred country-side, and

never yet had introduced within its sacred boundaries such

a horror as a family polluted by trade. And now (as Lady

Olivia whispers to herself, to her discomfiture) it seems

that she is on the fair road to be the first one to introduce

that horror within her hitherto well guarded gates. " What

was it ? " she asks again.

" Cotton ! " an.swered Sir Hugh briefly.

And then indeed his wife feels that her cup is ftdl.

" If it had been even ivine," she says hopelessly; " but

cotton ! I'm sure I don't know what the Gordons will

think."

" If you did, my dear Olivia, you would be the cleverest

woman on earth, which, thank goodness, you aren't. To

read our neighbours' thoitghts is beyond us —a most merciful

arrangement by-the-bye," says Sir Hugh, with an attempt at

light-hearted raillery that sits very badly on him, and only

serves to bring tears to his wife's eyes. Seeing them, he

drags his chair over the carpet until he is qtiite close to her,

and laying his own hand on her white plump one, pats it

softly. " Look here," he says, in his usual kindly, loving

voice, " it can't be got out of in any way. I've viewed it

all round, and it's not to be done. I look to you to put me

through this unpleasant affair, as I've looked to you all my

life."

" Well, you shan't look in vain," replies Lady Olivia,

cheerfully; she returns the pressure of his hand, and if the

tears still linger in her eyes, they now mingle with a

warmth and gladness that speak of loving trust, born many

years ago, and destined never to die. " I shouldn't care

about it," she says, earnestly, "I shouldn't indeed—though

I feel the girl will be unbearable—if—if it wouldn't be

such an additional expense."

"True," answers her husband; and the sharp lines that

care has laid upon his face become now more defined. '• But

as I said before, it can't be helped; so we must only make

the best of it."

But to Lady Olivia it seems difficult just now to make

the best of it. All seems at its very worst. She leans

back in her chair, and triiies idly with the crumbs of toast

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