the article.  It was of the sarcastically caressing kind, masterly in ease of style, as the flourish of the executioner well may be with poor Bare-back hung up to a leisurely administration of the scourge.  An allusion to ‘Jack on shore’ almost persuaded her that his uncle Everard had inspired the writer of the article.  Beauchamp’s reply to the question of his loyalty was not quoted:  he was, however, complimented on his frankness.  At the same time he was assured that his error lay in a too great proneness to make distinctions, and that there was no distinction between sovereign and country in a loyal and contented land, which could thank him for gallant services in war, while taking him for the solitary example to be cited at the present period of the evils of a comparatively long peace.

’Doubtless the tedium of such a state to a man of the temperament of the gallant commander,’ etc., the termination of the article was indulgent.  Rosamund recurred to the final paragraph for comfort, and though she loved Beauchamp, the test of her representative feminine sentiment regarding his political career, when personal feeling on his behalf had subsided, was, that the writer of the article must have received an intimation to deal both smartly and forbearingly with the offender:  and from whom but her lord?  Her notions of the conduct of the Press were primitive.  In a summary of the article Beauchamp was treated as naughty boy, formerly brave boy, and likely by-and-by to be good boy.  Her secret heart would have spoken similarly, with more emphasis on the flattering terms.

A telegram arrived from her lord.  She was bidden to have the house clear for him by noon of the next day.

How could that be done?

But to write blankly to inform the Earl of Romfrey that he was excluded from his own house was another impossibility.

‘Hateful man!’ she apostrophized Captain Baskelett, and sat down, supporting her chin in a prolonged meditation.

The card of a French lady, bearing the name of Madame d’Auffray, was handed to her.

Beauchamp had gone off to his friend Lydiard, to fortify himself in his resolve to reply to that newspaper article by eliciting counsel to the contrary.  Phrase by phrase he fought through the first half of his composition of the reply against Lydiard, yielding to him on a point or two of literary judgement, only the more vehemently to maintain his ideas of discretion, which were, that he would not take shelter behind a single subterfuge; that he would try this question nakedly, though he should stand alone; that he would stake his position on it, and establish his right to speak his opinions:  and as for unseasonable times, he protested it was the cry of a gorged middle-class, frightened of further action, and making snug with compromise.  Would it be a seasonable time when there was uproar?  Then it would be a time to be silent on such themes:  they could be discussed calmly now, and without danger; and whether he was hunted or not, he cared nothing.  He declined to consider the peculiar nature of Englishmen:  they must hear truth or perish.