Nora shook herself, and determined that she would behave well.  The effort should be made, and the required result should be produced by it.  ‘The magnificence, as an adjunct, is a great deal,’ she said; ’and for his sake, I hope that you enjoy it.’

‘Of course I enjoy it.’

’Wallachia’s teachings and preachings have all been thrown to the wind, I hope.’

’Not quite all.  Poor dear Wally!  I got a letter from her the other day, which she began by saying that she would attune her correspondence to my changed condition in life.  I understood the reproach so thoroughly!  And, when she told me little details of individual men and women, and of things she had seen, and said not a word about the rights of women, or even of politics generally, I felt that I was a degraded creature in her sight.  But, though you laugh at her, she did me good and will do good to others.  Here we are inside Monkhams, and now you must look at the avenue.’

Nora was now rather proud of herself.  She had made the effort, and it had been successful; and she felt that she could speak naturally, and express her thoughts honestly.  ’I remember his telling me about the avenue the first time I ever saw him, and here it is.  I did not think then that I should ever live to see the glories of Monkhams.  Does it go all the way like this to the house?’

’Not quite; where you see the light at the end, the road turns to the right, and the house is just before you.  There are great iron gates, and terraces, and wondrous paraphernalia before you get up to the door.  I can tell you Monkhams is quite a wonder.  I have to shut myself up every Wednesday morning, and hand the house over to Mrs Crutch, the housekeeper, who comes out in a miraculous brown silk gown, to shew it to visitors.  On other days, you’ll find Mrs Crutch quite civil and useful, but on Wednesdays, she is majestic.  Charles always goes off among his sheep on that day, and I shut myself up with a pile of books in a little room.  You will have to be imprisoned with me.  I do so long to peep at the visitors.’

‘And I dare say they want to peep at you.’

’I proposed at first to shew them round myself, but Charles wouldn’t let me.’

‘It would have broken Mrs Crutch’s heart.’

’That’s what Charles said.  He thinks that Mrs Crutch tells them that I’m locked up somewhere, and that that gives a zest to the search.  Some people from Nottingham once did break into old Lady Peterborough’s room, and the shew was stopped for a year.  There was such a row about it!  It prevented Charles coming up for the county.  But he wouldn’t have got in; and therefore it was lucky, and saved money.’