‘Yes, I know, of course.’

‘And will feel all that John has to suffer.’

’It is very bad, very bad for everybody concerned.  By his own showing, his conduct——­’

‘William,’ said she, ’let this be settled in one word.  I will not hear a syllable against my husband from you or any one else.  I am delighted to see you,—­I cannot tell you how delighted.  Oh, if papa would come,—­or mamma!  Dear, dear mamma!  You don’t suppose but what I love you all!’

‘I am sure you do.’

’But not from papa or mamma even will I hear a word against him.  Would Fanny,’—­Fanny was the barrister’s wife—­’let her people come and say things behind your back?’

‘I hope not.’

’Then, believe that I can be as stout as Fanny.  But we need not quarrel.  You will come and see baby, and have some lunch.  I am afraid they will not be here till three or four, but they will be so glad to see you if you will wait.’

He would not wait, of course; but he allowed himself to be taken away to see baby, and did eat his lunch.  Then he brought forward the purport of his mission.  ’Your mother is most anxious to see you, Hester.  You will go and visit her?’

‘Oh, yes,’ said Hester, unaware of any danger.  ’But I wish she would come to me.’

’My dear girl, as things are at present that is impossible.  You can understand as much as that.  There must be a trial.’

‘I suppose so.’

’And till that has been held your mother would be wrong to come here.  I express no judgment against any one.’

’I should have thought mamma would have been the first to support me,—­me and baby,’ she said sobbing.

‘Certainly, if you were homeless—­’

’But I am not.  My husband gives me a house to live in, and I want none other.’

‘What I wish to explain is that if you were in want of anything—­’

‘I am in want of nothing—­but sympathy.’

’You have it from me and from all of us.  But pray, listen for a moment.  She cannot come to you till the trial be over.  I am sure Mr. Caldigate would understand that.’

‘He comes to me,’ she said, alluding to her father-in-law, and not choosing to understand that her brother should have called her husband ‘Mr. Caldigate.’

‘But there can be no reason why you should not go to Chesterton.’

‘Just to see mamma?’

‘For a day or two,’ he replied, blushing inwardly at his own lie.  ’Could you go to-morrow?’

’Oh no;—­not to stay.  Of course I must ask my husband.  I’m sure he’ll let me go if I ask it, but not to-morrow.  Why to-morrow?’

‘Only that your mother longs to see you.’  He had been specially instigated to induce her to come as soon as possible.  ’You may imagine how anxious she is.’

’Poor mamma!  Yes;—­I know she suffers.  I know mamma’s feelings.  Mamma and I must, must, must quarrel if we talk about this.  Of course I will go to see her.  But will you tell her this,—­that if she cannot speak of my husband with affection and respect it will be better that—­she should not mention him at all.  I will not submit to a word even from her.’