Chapter 84

           "Thoughitbesongeofoldandyonge,ThatIsholdebetoblame,Theyrsbethecharge,thatspokesolargeInhurtyngeofmyname."—TheNot-browneMayde.

           ItwasjustaftertheLordshadthrownouttheReformBill:thatexplainshowMr.CadwalladercametobewalkingontheslopeofthelawnnearthegreatconservatoryatFreshittHall,holdingthe"Times"inhishandsbehindhim,whilehetalkedwithatrout-fisher’sdispassionatenessabouttheprospectsofthecountrytoSirJamesChettam.Mrs.Cadwallader,theDowagerLadyChettam,andCeliaweresometimesseatedongarden-chairs,sometimeswalkingtomeetlittleArthur,whowasbeingdrawninhischariot,and,asbecametheinfantineBouddha,wasshelteredbyhissacredumbrellawithhandsomesilkenfringe.

           Theladiesalsotalkedpolitics,thoughmorefitfully.Mrs.Cadwalladerwasstrongontheintendedcreationofpeers:shehaditforcertainfromhercousinthatTruberryhadgoneovertotheothersideentirelyattheinstigationofhiswife,whohadscentedpeeragesintheairfromtheveryfirstintroductionoftheReformquestion,andwouldsignhersoulawaytotakeprecedenceofheryoungersister,whohadmarriedabaronet.LadyChettamthoughtthatsuchconductwasveryreprehensible,andrememberedthatMrs.Truberry’smotherwasaMissWalsinghamofMelspring.Celiaconfesseditwasnicertobe"Lady"than"Mrs.,"andthatDodonevermindedaboutprecedenceifshecouldhaveherownway.Mrs.