The reader, however, will know why, and will understand how it was that Mrs. Robert was in the dark.  The attorney, though he was suspicious, though he was frightened, though he was, in truth, very angry with this new brother-in-law, through whose ante-nuptial delinquencies so much sorrow was threatened to the Bolton family, nevertheless kept the secret from all the Cambridge Boltons.  It had been necessary to him to seek counsel with some one, but he had mentioned the matter only to his brother William.  But he did not wish to add to the bond which now tied him to Folking.  If this horror, this possible horror, should fall upon them,—­if it should turn out that he had insisted on giving his sister in marriage to a man already married,—­then,—­then,—­then——!  Such possible future incidents were too terrible to be considered closely, but with such a possibility he would not add to the bonds.  At Puritan Grange they would throw all the responsibility of what had been done upon him.  This feeling was mingled with his love for his sister,—­with the indignation he would not only feel but show if it should turn out that she had been wronged.  ’I will destroy him,—­I will destroy him utterly,’ he would sometimes say to himself as he thought of it.

And now the godfather question had to be decided, ‘No,’ he said to his wife, ’I don’t care about such things.  I won’t do it.  You write and tell her that I have prejudices, or scruples, or whatever you choose to call it.’

‘There is to be a little tarradiddle told, and I am to tell it?’

‘I have prejudices and scruples.’

‘About the religion of the thing?’ She knew,—­as of course, she was bound to know,’—­that he had at any rate a round dozen of god-children somewhere about the country.  There were the young Williams, and the young Daniels, and her own nephews and nieces, with the parents of all of whom uncle Robert had been regarded as the very man for a godfather.  The silversmith in Trumpington Street knew exactly the weight of the silver cup that was to be given to the boy or to a girl.  The Bible and prayer-books were equally well regulated.  Mrs. Robert could not but smile at the idea of religious scruples.  ’I wish I knew what it was that has come over you of late.  I fancy you have quarrelled with John Caldigate.’

‘If you think that, then you can understand the reason.’

‘What is it about?’

’I have not quarrelled with him.  It is possible that I may have to do so.  But I do not mean to say what it is about.’  Then he smiled.  ’I don’t want you to ask any more questions, but just to write to Hester as kindly as you can, saying I don’t mean to be godfather any more.  It will be a good excuse in regard to all future babies.’  Mrs. Robert was a good wife and did as she was bid.  She worded her refusal as cautiously as she could, and,—­on that occasion,—­asked her husband no further question.