This etext was produced by Pat Castevans <patcat@ctnet.net>
and David Widger <widger@cecomet.net>
By George Meredith
Mrs. Boulby's ears had not deceived her; it had been a bet: and the daywould have gone disastrously with Robert, if Mrs. Lovell had not won herbet. What was heroism to Warbeach, appeared very outrageousblackguardism up at Fairly. It was there believed by the gentlemen,though rather against evidence, that the man was a sturdy ruffian, and aninfuriated sot. The first suggestion was to drag him before themagistrates; but against this Algernon protested, declaring his readinessto defend himself, with so vehement a magnanimity, that it was clearlyseen the man had a claim on him. Lord Elling, however, when he was toldof these systematic assaults upon one of his guests, announced hisresolve to bring the law into operation. Algernon heard it as the knellto his visit.
He was too happy, to go away willingly; and the great Jew City of Londonwas exceedingly hot for him at that period; but to stay and risk anexposure of his extinct military career, was not possible. In hisdespair, he took Mrs. Lovell entirely into his confidence; in doingwhich, he only filled up the outlines of what she already knew concerningEdward. He was too useful to the lady for her to afford to let him go.No other youth called her "angel" for listening complacently to strangestories of men and their dilemmas; no one fetched and carried for herlike Algernon; and she was a woman who cherished dog-like adoration, andcould not part with it. She had also the will to reward it.
At her intercession, Robert was spared an introduction to themagistrates. She made light of his misdemeanours, assuring everybodythat so splendid a horseman deserved to be dealt with differently fromother offenders. The gentlemen who waited upon Farmer Eccles went inobedience to her orders.
Then came the scene on Ditley Marsh, described to that assembly at thePilot, by Stephen Bilton, when she perceived that Robert was manageablein silken trammels, and made a bet that she would show him tamed. Shewon her bet, and saved the gentlemen from soiling their hands, for whichthey had conceived a pressing necessity, and they thanked her, and paidtheir money over to Algernon, whom she constituted her treasurer. Shewas called "the man-tamer," gracefully acknowledging the compliment.Colonel Barclay, the moustachioed horseman, who had spoken the few wordsto Robert in passing, now remarked that there was an end of the militaryprofession.
"I surrender my sword," he said gallantly.
Another declared that ladies would now act in lieu of causing an appealto arms.
"Similia similibus, &c.," said Edward. "They can, apparently, cure whatthey originate."
"Ah, the poor sex!" Mrs. Lovell sighed. "When we bring the millennium toyou, I believe you will still have a word against Eve."
The whole parade back to the stables was marked by pretty speeches.
"By Jove! but he oug