Thereweredifficulties，ofcourse，inmyway。ThefirstandgreatestdifficultywastoobtainanintroductiontoMiserrimusDexter。
　　Thecomposinginfluenceofthefreshairinthegardenhadbythistimemademereadiertoliedownandrestthantooccupymymindinreflectingonmydifficulties。LittlebylittleIgrewtoodrowsytothink——thentoolazytogoonwalking。MybedlookedwonderfullyinvitingasIpassedbytheopenwindowofmyroom。
　　InfiveminutesmoreIhadacceptedtheinvitationofthebed，andhadsaidfarewelltomyanxietiesandmytroubles。InfiveminutesmoreIwasfastasleep。
　　Adiscreetlygentleknockatmydoorwasthefirstsoundthatarousedme。IheardthevoiceofmygoodoldBenjaminspeakingoutside。
　　"Mydear！IamafraidyouwillbestarvedifIletyousleepanylonger。Itishalf—pastoneo’clock；andafriendofyourshascometolunchwithus。"
　　Afriendofmine？WhatfriendshadI？Myhusbandwasfaraway；
　　andmyuncleStarkweatherhadgivenmeupindespair。
　　"Whoisit？"Icriedoutfrommybed，throughthedoor。
　　"MajorFitz—David，"Benjaminanswered，bythesamemedium。
　　Isprangoutofbed。TheverymanIwantedwaswaitingtoseeme！
　　MajorFitz—David，asthephraseis，kneweverybody。Intimatewithmyhusband，hewouldcertainlyknowmyhusband’soldfriend——MiserrimusDexter。
　　ShallIconfessthatItookparticularpainswithmytoilet，andthatIkepttheluncheonwaiting？Thewomandoesn’tlivewhowouldhavedoneotherwise——whenshehadaparticularfavortoaskofMajorFitz—David。
　　CHAPTERXXII。
　　THEMAJORMAKESDIFFICULTIES。
　　AsIopenedthedining—roomdoortheMajorhastenedtomeetme。
　　Helookedthebrightestandtheyoungestoflivingelderlygentlemen，withhissmartbluefrock—coat，hiswinningsmile，hisrubyring，andhisreadycompliment。ItwasquitecheeringtomeetthemodernDonJuanoncemore。
　　"Idon’taskafteryourhealth，"saidtheoldgentleman；"youreyesanswerme，mydearlady，beforeIcanputthequestion。Atyouragealongsleepisthetruebeauty—draught。Plentyofbed——thereisthesimplesecretofkeepingyourgoodlooksandlivingalonglife——plentyofbed！"
　　"Ihavenotbeensolonginmybed，Major，asyousuppose。Totellthetruth，Ihavebeenupallnight，reading。"
　　MajorFitz—Davidliftedhiswell—paintedeyebrowsinpolitesurprise。
　　"Whatisthehappybookwhichhasinterestedyousodeeply？"heasked。
　　"Thebook，"Ianswered，"istheTrialofmyhusbandforthemurderofhisfirstwife。"
　　"Don’tmentionthathorridbook！"heexclaimed。"Don’tspeakofthatdreadfulsubject！WhathavebeautyandgracetodowithTrials，Poisonings，Horrors？Why，mycharmingfriend，profaneyourlipsbytalkingofsuchthings？WhyfrightenawaytheLovesandtheGracesthatliehidinyoursmile。HumoranoldfellowwhoadorestheLovesandtheGraces，andwhoasksnothingbetterthantosunhimselfinyoursmiles。Luncheonisready。Letusbecheerful。Letuslaughandlunch。"
　　Heledmetothetable，andfilledmyplateandmyglasswiththeairofamanwhoconsideredhimselftobeengagedinoneofthemostimportantoccupationsofhislife。Benjaminkepttheconversationgoingintheinterval。
　　"MajorFitz—Davidbringsyousomenews，mydear，"hesaid。"Yourmother—in—law，Mrs。Macallan，iscomingheretoseeyouto—day。"
　　Mymother—in—lawcomingtoseeme！IturnedeagerlytotheMajorforfurtherinformation。
　　"HasMrs。Macallanheardanythingofmyhusband？"Iasked。"Isshecomingheretotellmeabouthim？"
　　"Shehasheardfromhim，Ibelieve，"saidtheMajor，"andshehasalsoheardfromyourunclethevicar。OurexcellentStarkweatherhaswrittentoher——towhatpurposeIhavenotbeeninformed。I
　　onlyknowthatonreceiptofhislettershehasdecidedonpayingyouavisit。Imettheoldladylastnightataparty，andI
　　triedhardtodiscoverwhethershewerecomingtoyouasyourfriendoryourenemy。Mypowersofpersuasionwerecompletelythrownawayonher。Thefactis，"saidtheMajor，speakinginthecharacterofayouthoffive—and—twentymakingamodestconfession，"Idon’tgetonwellwitholdwomen。Takethewillforthedeed，mysweetfriend。Ihavetriedtobeofsomeusetoyouandhavefailed。"
　　ThosewordsofferedmetheopportunityforwhichIwaswaiting。I
　　determinednottoloseit。
　　"Youcanbeofthegreatestusetome，"Isaid，"ifyouwillallowmetopresume，Major，onyourpastkindness。Iwanttoaskyouaquestion；andImayhaveafavortobegwhenyouhaveansweredme。"
　　MajorFitz—Davidsetdownhiswine—glassonitswaytohislips，andlookedatmewithanappearanceofbreathlessinterest。
　　"Commandme，mydearlady——Iamyoursandyoursonly，"saidthegallantoldgentleman。"Whatdoyouwishtoaskme？"
　　"IwishtoaskifyouknowMiserrimusDexter。"
　　"GoodHeavens！"criedtheMajor；"that_is_anunexpectedquestion！KnowMiserrimusDexter？IhaveknownhimformoreyearsthanIliketoreckonup。What_can_beyourobject——"
　　"Icantellyouwhatmyobjectisintwowords，"Iinterposed。"I
　　wantyoutogivemeanintroductiontoMiserrimusDexter。"
　　MyimpressionisthattheMajorturnedpaleunderhispaint。
　　This，atanyrate，iscertain——hissparklinglittlegrayeyeslookedatmeinundisguisedbewildermentandalarm。
　　"YouwanttoknowMiserrimusDexter？"herepeated，withtheairofamanwhodoubtedtheevidenceofhisownsenses。"Mr。
　　Benjamin，haveItakentoomuchofyourexcellentwine？AmIthevictimofadelusion——ordidourfairfriendreallyaskmetogiveheranintroductiontoMiserrimusDexter？"
　　Benjaminlookedatmeinsomebewildermentonhisside，andanswered，quiteseriously，"Ithinkyousaidso，mydear。"
　　"Icertainlysaidso，"Irejoined。"Whatistheresoverysurprisinginmyrequest？"
　　"Themanismad！"criedtheMajor。"InallEnglandyoucouldnothavepickedoutapersonmoreessentiallyunfittobeintroducedtoalady——toayoungladyespecially——thanDexter。Haveyouheardofhishorribledeformity？"
　　"Ihaveheardofit——anditdoesn’tdauntme。"
　　"Doesn’tdauntyou？Mydearlady，theman’smindisasdeformedashisbody。WhatVoltairesaidsatiricallyofthecharacterofhiscountrymeningeneralisliterallytrueofMiserrimusDexter。
　　Heisamixtureofthetigerandthemonkey。Atonemomenthewouldfrightenyou，andatthenexthewouldsetyouscreamingwithlaughter。Idon’tdenythatheiscleverinsomerespects——brilliantlyclever，Iadmit。AndIdon’tsaythathehasevercommittedanyactsofviolence，oreverwillinglyinjuredanybody。But，forallthat，heismad，ifeveramanweremadyet。Forgivemeiftheinquiryisimpertinent。WhatcanyourmotivepossiblybeforwantinganintroductiontoMiserrimusDexter？"
　　"Iwanttoconsulthim？"
　　"MayIaskonwhatsubject？"
　　"Onthesubjectofmyhusband’sTrial。"
　　MajorFitz—Davidgroaned，andsoughtamomentaryconsolationinhisfriendBenjamin’sclaret。
　　"Thatdreadfulsubjectagain！"heexclaimed。"Mr。Benjamin，whydoesshepersistindwellingonthatdreadfulsubject？"
　　"Imustdwellonwhatisnowtheoneemploymentandtheonehopeofmylife，"Isaid。"IhavereasontohopethatMiserrimusDextercanhelpmetoclearmyhusband’scharacterofthestainwhichtheScotchVerdicthasleftonit。Tigerandmonkeyashemaybe，Iamreadytoruntheriskofbeingintroducedtohim。
　　AndIaskyouagain——rashlyandobstinatelyasIfearyouwillthink——togivemetheintroduction。Itwillputyoutonoinconvenience。Iwon’ttroubleyoutoescortme；alettertoMr。
　　Dexterwilldo。"
　　TheMajorlookedpiteouslyatBenjamin，andshookhishead。
　　BenjaminlookedpiteouslyattheMajor，andshook_his_head。
　　"Sheappearstoinsistonit，"saidtheMajor。
　　"Yes，"saidBenjamin。"Sheappearstoinsistonit。"
　　"Iwon’ttaketheresponsibility，Mr。Benjamin，ofsendingheralonetoMiserrimusDexter。"
　　"ShallIgowithher，sir？"
　　TheMajorreflected。Benjamin，inthecapacityofprotector，didnotappeartoinspireourmilitaryfriendwithconfidence。Afteramoment’sconsiderationanewideaseemedtostrikehim。Heturnedtome。
　　"Mycharmingfriend，"hesaid，"bemorecharmingthanever——consenttoacompromise。LetustreatthisdifficultyaboutDexterfromasocialpointofview。Whatdoyousaytoalittledinner？"
　　"Alittledinner？"Irepeated，notintheleastunderstandinghim。
　　"Alittledinner，"theMajorreiterated，"atmyhouse。YouinsistonmyintroducingyoutoDexter，andIrefusetotrustyoualonewiththatcrack—brainedpersonage。Theonlyalternativeunderthecircumstancesistoinvitehimtomeetyou，andtoletyouformyourownopinionofhim——undertheprotectionofmyroof。
　　Whoshallwehavetomeetyoubesides？"pursuedtheMajor，brighteningwithhospitableintentions。"Wewantaperfectgalaxyofbeautyaroundthetable，asaspeciesofcompensationwhenwehavegotMiserrimusDexterasonetheguests。MadameMirlifloreisstillinLondon。Youwouldbesuretolikeher——sheischarming；shepossessesyourfirmness，yourextraordinarytenacityofpurpose。Yes，wewillhaveMadameMirliflore。Whoelse？ShallwesayLadyClarinda？Anothercharmingperson，Mr。
　　Benjamin！Youwouldbesuretoadmireher——sheissosympathetic，sheresemblesinsomanyrespectsourfairfriendhere。Yes，LadyClarindashallbeoneofus；andyoushallsitnexttoher，Mr。
　　Benjamin，asaproofofmysincereregardforyou。Shallwehavemyyoungprimadonnatosingtousintheevening？thinkso。Sheispretty；shewillassistinobscuringthedeformityofDexter。
　　Verywell；thereisourpartycomplete！Iwillshutmyselfupthiseveningandapproachthequestionofdinnerwithmycook。
　　Shallwesaythisdayweek，"askedtheMajor，takingouthispocketbook，"ateighto’clock？"
　　Iconsentedtotheproposedcompromise——butnotverywillingly。
　　Withaletterofintroduction，ImighthaveseenMiserrimusDexterthatafternoon。Asitwas，the"littledinner"compelledmetowaitinabsoluteinactionthroughawholeweek。However，therewasnohelpforitbuttosubmit。MajorFitz—David，inhispoliteway，couldbeasobstinateasIwas。Hehadevidentlymadeuphismind；andfurtheroppositiononmypartwouldbeofnoservicetome。
　　"Punctuallyateight，Mr。Benjamin，"reiteratedtheMajor。"Putitdowninyourbook。"
　　Benjaminobeyed——withasidelookatme，whichIwasatnolosstointerpret。Mygoodoldfrienddidnotrelishmeetingamanatdinnerwhowasdescribedas"halftiger，halfmonkey；"andtheprivilegeofsittingnexttoLadyClarindaratherdauntedthandelightedhim。Itwasallmydoing，andhetoohadnochoicebuttosubmit。"Punctuallyateight，sir，"saidpooroldBenjamin，obedientlyrecordinghisformidableengagement。"Pleasetotakeanotherglassofwine。"
　　TheMajorlookedathiswatch，androse——withfluentapologiesforabruptlyleavingthetable。
　　"ItislaterthanIthought，"hesaid。"Ihaveanappointmentwithafriend——afemalefriend；amostattractiveperson。Youalittleremindmeofher，mydearlady——youresembleherincomplexion：thesamecreamypaleness。Iadorecreamypaleness。AsIwassaying，Ihaveanappointmentwithmyfriend；shedoesmethehonortoaskmyopiniononsomeveryremarkablespecimensofoldlace。Ihavestudiedoldlace。Istudyeverythingthatcanmakemeusefuloragreeabletoyourenchantingsex。Youwon’tforgetourlittledinner？IwillsendDexterhisinvitationthemomentIgethome。"Hetookmyhandandlookedatitcritically，withhisheadalittleononeside。"Adelicioushand，"hesaid；
　　"youdon’tmindmylookingatit——youdon’tmindmykissingit，doyou？Adelicioushandisoneofmyweaknesses。Forgivemyweaknesses。Ipromisetorepentandamendoneofthesedays。"
　　"Atyourage，Major，doyouthinkyouhavemuchtimetolose？"
　　askedastrangevoice，speakingbehindus。
　　Weallthreelookedaroundtowardthedoor。Therestoodmyhusband’smother，smilingsatirically，withBenjamin’sshylittlemaid—servantwaitingtoannounceher。
　　MajorFitz—Davidwasreadywithhisanswer。
　　Theoldsoldierwasnoteasilytakenbysurprise。
　　"Age，mydearMrs。Macallan，isapurelyrelativeexpression，"hesaid。"Therearesomepeoplewhoareneveryoung，andthereareotherpeoplewhoareneverold。Iamoneoftheotherpeople。_Aurevoir！_"
　　WiththatanswertheincorrigibleMajorkissedthetipsofhisfingerstousandwalkedout。Benjamin，bowingwithhisold—fashionedcourtesy，threwopenthedoorofhislittlelibrary，and，invitingMrs。Macallanandmyselftopassin，leftustogetherintheroom。
　　CHAPTERXXIII
　　MYMOTHER—IN—LAWSURPRISESME。
　　ITOOKachairatarespectfuldistancefromthesofaonwhichMrs。Macallanseatedherself。Theoldladysmiled，andbeckonedtometotakemyplacebyherside。Judgingbyappearances，shehadcertainlynotcometoseemeinthecharacterofanenemy。ItremainedtobediscoveredIwhethershewerereallydisposedtobemyfriend。
　　"Ihavereceivedaletterfromyourunclethevicar，"shebegan。
　　"Heasksmetovisityou，andIamhappy——forreasonswhichyoushallpresentlyhear——tocomplywithhisrequest。UnderothercircumstancesIdoubtverymuch，mydearchild——strangeastheconfessionmayappear——whetherIshouldhaveventuredintoyourpresence。Mysonhasbehavedtoyousoweakly，and（inmyopinion）soinexcusably，thatIamreally，speakingashismother，almostashamedtofaceyou。"
　　Wassheinearnest？Ilistenedtoherandlookedatherinamazement。
　　"Youruncle’sletter，"pursuedMrs。Macallan，"tellsmehowyouhavebehavedunderyourhardtrial，andwhatyouproposetodonowEustacehasleftyou。DoctorStarkweather，poorman，seemstobeinexpressiblyshockedbywhatyousaidtohimwhenhewasinLondon。Hebegsmetousemyinfluencetoinduceyoutoabandonyourpresentideas，andtomakeyoureturntoyouroldhomeattheVicarage。Idon’tintheleastagreewithyouruncle，mydear。WildasIbelieveyourplanstobe——youhavenottheslightestchanceofsucceedingincarryingthemout——Iadmireyourcourage，yourfidelity，yourunshakenfaithinmyunhappyson，afterhisunpardonablebehaviortoyou。Youareafinecreature，Valeria，andIhavecomeheretotellyousoinplainwords。Givemeakiss，child。Youdeservetobethewifeofahero，andyouhavemarriedoneoftheweakestoflivingmortals。
　　Godforgivemeforspeakingsoofmyownson；butit’sinmymind，anditmustcomeout！"
　　ThiswayofspeakingofEustacewasmorethanIcouldsuffer，evenfromhismother。Irecoveredtheuseofmytongueinmyhusband’sdefense。
　　"Iamsincerelyproudofyourgoodopinion，dearMrs。Macallan，"
　　Isaid。"Butyoudistressme——forgivemeifIownitplainly——whenIhearyouspeaksodisparaginglyofEustace。I
　　cannotagreewithyouthatmyhusbandistheweakestoflivingmortals。"
　　"Ofcoursenot！"retortedtheoldlady。"Youarelikeallgoodwomen——youmakeaheroofthemanyoulove，——whetherhedeserveitornot。Yourhusbandhashostsofgoodqualities，child——andperhapsIknowthembetterthanyoudo。Buthiswholeconduct，fromthemomentwhenhefirstenteredyouruncle’shousetothepresenttime，hasbeen，Isayagain，theconductofanessentiallyweakman。Whatdoyouthinkhehasdonenowbywayofclimax？Hehasjoinedacharitablebrotherhood；andheisofftothewarinSpainwitharedcrossonhisarm，whenheoughttobehereonhisknees，askinghiswifetoforgivehim。Isaythatistheconductofaweakman。Somepeoplemightcallitbyahardername。"
　　Thisnewsstartledanddistressedme。Imightberesignedtohisleavingmeforatime；butallmyinstinctsasawomanrevoltedathisplacinghimselfinapositionofdangerduringhisseparationfromhiswife。Hehadnowdeliberatelyaddedtomyanxieties。Ithoughtitcruelofhim——butIwouldnotconfesswhatIthoughttohismother。Iaffectedtobeascoolasshewas；andIdisputedherconclusionswithallthefirmnessthatI
　　couldsummontohelpme。Theterribleoldwomanonlywentonabusinghimmorevehementlythanever。
　　"WhatIcomplainofinmyson，"proceededMrs。Macallan，"isthathehasentirelyfailedtounderstandyou。Ifhehadmarriedafool，hisconductwouldbeintelligibleenough。Hewouldhavedonewiselytoconcealfromafoolthathehadbeenmarriedalready，andthathehadsufferedthehorridpublicexposureofaTrialforthemurderofhiswife。Then，again，hewouldhavebeenquiteright，whenthissamefoolhaddiscoveredthetruth，totakehimselfoutofherwaybeforeshecouldsuspecthimofpoisoningher——forthesakeofthepeaceandquietofbothparties。Butyouarenotafool。Icanseethat，afteronlyashortexperienceofyou。Whycan’theseeittoo？Whydidn’thetrustyouwithhissecretfromthefirst，insteadofstealinghiswayintoyouraffectionsunderanassumedname？Whydidheplan（asheconfessedtome）totakeyouawaytotheMediterranean，andtokeepyouabroad，forfearofsomeofficiousfriendsathomebetrayinghimtoyouastheprisonerofthefamousTrial？
　　Whatistheplainanswertoallthesequestions？Whatistheonepossibleexplanationofthisotherwiseunaccountableconduct？
　　Thereisonlyoneanswer，andoneexplanation。Mypoor，wretchedson——hetakesafterhisfather；heisn’ttheleastlikeme！——isweak：weakinhiswayofjudging，weakinhiswayofacting，and，likeallweakpeople，headstrongandunreasonabletothelastdegree。Thereisthetruth！Don’tgetredandangry。Iamasfondofhimasyouare。Icanseehismeritstoo。Andoneofthemisthathehasmarriedawomanofspiritandresolution——sofaithfulandsofondofhimthatshewon’tevenlethisownmothertellherofhisfaults。Goodchild！Ilikeyouforhatingme！"
　　"Dearmadam，don’tsaythatIhateyou！"Iexclaimed（feelingverymuchasifIdidhateher，though，forallthat）。"Ionlypresumetothinkthatyouareconfusingadelicate—mindedmanwithaweak—mindedman。OurdearunhappyEustace——"
　　"Isadelicate—mindedman，"saidtheimpenetrableMrs。Macallan，finishingmysentenceforme。"Wewillleaveitthere，mydear，andgetontoanothersubject。Iwonderwhetherweshalldisagreeaboutthattoo？"
　　"Whatisthesubject，madam？"
　　"Iwon’ttellyouifyoucallmemadam。Callmemother。Say，’Whatisthesubject，mother？’"
　　"Whatisthesubject，mother？"
　　"YournotionofturningyourselfintoaCourtofAppealforanewTrialofEustace，andforcingtheworldtopronounceajustverdictonhim。Doyoureallymeantotryit？"
　　"Ido！"
　　Mrs。Macallanconsideredforamomentgrimlywithherself。
　　"YouknowhowheartilyIadmireyourcourage，andyourdevotiontomyunfortunateson，"shesaid。"Youknowbythistimethat_I_
　　don’tcant。ButIcannotseeyouattempttoperformimpossibilities；Icannotletyouuselesslyriskyourreputationandyourhappinesswithoutwarningyoubeforeitistoolate。Mychild，thethingyouhavegotitinyourheadtodoisnottobedonebyyouorbyanybody。Giveitup。"
　　"Iamdeeplyobligedtoyou，Mrs。Macallan——"
　　"’Mother！’"
　　"Iamdeeplyobligedtoyou，mother，fortheinterestthatyoutakeinme，butIcannotgiveitup。Rightorwrong，riskornorisk，ImustandIwilltryit！"
　　Mrs。Macallanlookedatmeveryattentively，andsighedtoherself。
　　"Oh，youth，youth！"shesaidtoherself，sadly。"Whatagrandthingitistobeyoung！"Shecontrolledtherisingregret，andturnedonmesuddenly，almostfiercely，withthesewords："What，inGod’sname，doyoumeantodo？"
　　Attheinstantwhensheputthequestion，theideacrossedmymindthatMrs。Macallancouldintroduceme，ifshepleased，toMiserrimusDexter。Shemustknowhim，andknowhimwell，asaguestatGleninchandanoldfriendofherson。
　　"ImeantoconsultMiserrimusDexter，"Ianswered，boldly。
　　Mrs。Macallanstartedbackfrommewithaloudexclamationofsurprise。
　　"Areyououtofyoursenses？"sheasked。
　　Itoldher，asIhadtoldMajorFitz—David，thatIhadreasontothinkMr。Dexter’sadvicemightbeofrealassistancetomeatstarting。
　　"AndI，"rejoinedMrs。Macallan，"havereasontothinkthatyourwholeprojectisamadone，andthatinaskingDexter’sadviceonityouappropriatelyconsultamadman。Youneedn’tstart，child！
　　Thereisnoharminthecreature。Idon’tmeanthathewillattackyou，orberudetoyou。Ionlysaythatthelastpersonwhomayoungwoman，placedinyourpainfulanddelicateposition，oughttoassociateherselfwithisMiserrimusDexter。"
　　Strange！HerewastheMajor’swarningrepeatedbyMrs。Macallan，almostintheMajor’sownwords。Well！Itsharedthefateofmostwarnings。Itonlymadememoreandmoreeagertohavemyownway。
　　"Yousurprisemeverymuch，"Isaid。"Mr。Dexter’sevidence，givenattheTrial，seemsasclearandreasonableasevidencecanbe。"
　　"Ofcourseitis！"answeredMrs。Macallan。"Theshorthandwritersandreportersputhisevidenceintopresentablelanguagebeforetheyprintedit。Ifyouhadheardwhathereallysaid，asIdid，youwouldhavebeeneitherverymuchdisgustedwithhimorverymuchamusedbyhim，accordingtoyourwayoflookingatthings。
　　Hebegan，fairlyenough，withamodestexplanationofhisabsurdChristianname，whichatoncecheckedthemerrimentoftheaudience。Butashewentonthemadsideofhimshoweditself。Hemixedupsenseandnonsenseinthestrangestconfusion；hewascalledtoorderoverandoveragain；hewaseventhreatenedwithfineandimprisonmentforcontemptofCourt。Inshort，hewasjustlikehimself——amixtureofthestrangestandthemostoppositequalities；atonetimeperfectlyclearandreasonable，asyousaidjustnow；atanotherbreakingoutintorhapsodiesofthemostoutrageouskind，likeamaninastateofdelirium。A
　　moreentirelyunfitpersontoadviseanybody，Itellyouagain，neverlived。Youdon’texpectMetointroduceyoutohim，I
　　hope？"
　　"Ididthinkofsuchathing，"Ianswered。"Butafterwhatyouhavesaid，dearMrs。Macallan，Igiveuptheidea，ofcourse。Itisnotagreatsacrifice——itonlyobligesmetowaitaweekforMajorFitz—David’sdinner—party。HehaspromisedtoaskMiserrimusDextertomeetme。"
　　"ThereistheMajorallover！"criedtheoldlady。"Ifyoupinyourfaithonthatman，Ipityyou。Heisasslipperyasaneel。
　　IsupposeyouaskedhimtointroduceyoutoDexter？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Exactly！Dexterdespiseshim，mydear。HeknowsaswellasIdothatDexterwon’tgotohisdinner。Andhetakesthatroundaboutwayofkeepingyouapart，insteadofsayingNotoyouplainly，likeanhonestman。
　　Thiswasbadnews。ButIwas，asusual，tooobstinatetoownmyselfdefeated。
　　"Iftheworstcomestotheworst，"Isaid，"IcanbutwritetoMr。Dexter，andbeghimtograntmeaninterview。"
　　"Andgotohimbyyourself，ifhedoesgrantit？"inquiredMrs。
　　Macallan。
　　"Certainly。Bymyself。"
　　"Youreallymeanit？"
　　"Ido，indeed。"
　　"Iwon’tallowyoutogobyyourself。"
　　"MayIventuretoask，ma’amhowyouproposetopreventme？"
　　"Bygoingwithyou，tobesure，youobstinatehussy！Yes，yes——I
　　canbeasheadstrongasyouarewhenIlike。Mind！Idon’twanttoknowwhatyourplansare。Idon’twanttobemixedupwithyourplans。MysonisresignedtotheScotchVerdict。IamresignedtotheScotchVerdict。Itisyouwhowon’tletmattersrestastheyare。Youareavainandfoolhardyyoungperson。But，somehow，Ihavetakenalikingtoyou，andIwon’tletyougotoMiserrimusDexterbyyourself。Putonyourbonnet！"
　　"Now？"Iasked。
　　"Certainly！Mycarriageisatthedoor。Andthesoonerit’soverthebetterIshallbepleased。Getready——andbequickaboutit！"
　　Irequirednosecondbidding。IntenminutesmorewewereonourwaytoMiserrimusDexter。
　　Suchwastheresultofmymother—in—law’svisit！
　　CHAPTERXXIV。
　　MISERRIMUSDEXTER——FIRSTVIEW。