“And you, Harriet?” “No, I won’t either.” Hogg resigned himself to making his own tea, and to drinking it in silence. From this day forth the house became insupportable. Eliza took over, or rather resumed, the management of everything. She had managed Harriet her whole life through, and though she had been obliged to relinquish her post to Shelley during the first few weeks of marriage, she now again took her place on the bridge like a captain on his ship, who runs his flag up to the mast-head, and tolerates no other authority on board. She began by criticizing severely Shelley’s conduct. “So if I hadn’t come you would have been left alone with this young man? It’s unbelievable! And he calls you ‘dearest’? And you permit him to do so! Good heavens! What would Miss Warne say!” When Hogg proposed a walk, “What are you thinking of?” said Eliza. “Harriet is very tired, not well at all. . . .” Hogg was astounded. “Harriet?” he repeated. “What on earth’s the matter with her?” “It’s her poor nerves, you must be blind not to see it.” When Harriet wanted to read aloud to Hogg the virtuous counsels of Idomeneus, of which he stood so much in need: “Read aloud, Harriet? Whatever will become of your poor nerves? What would Miss Warne say?” “Who the deuce _is_ Miss Warne?” Hogg asked Harriet so soon as Eliza had gone to her room. “She is Eliza’s greatest friend, and we have the highest opinion of her.” “Why? Is she anything extraordinary by birth and education?” “Oh dear no, her father keeps a public-house like ours.” Hogg heaved a sigh and lifted his eyebrows. “What does that dear Eliza do in her bedroom? Does she read?” “No.” Harriet leaned over him to say in tones of mystery: “She brushes her hair.” “Let’s go out, Harriet. . . .” At first Harriet refused, but as the hair-brushing was prolonged she agreed to accompany Hogg for a few minutes. Since his first attempt on her virtue he had kept his promise “to be good.” She was pleased—but disappointed. Quite sure of herself, she would have enjoyed temptation. They stood on the high centre of the old Roman bridge, there was a mighty flood. The Ouse had overflowed his banks, carrying away with him timber and what not. “Harriet dearest, think how nicely Eliza would spin down the river! How sweetly she would turn round and round like that log of wood. . . . And gracious heavens! What would Miss Warne say?” Harriet turned away her head to hide her laughter. Hogg said dreadful things, but really he was too funny. “You have such a delightful laugh, Harriet! . . . so musical, so gay!” Harriet, full of courage, felt the battle was close at hand. CHAPTER XI HOGG (_continued_) Shelley returned next day, sooner than was expected. He had had no success. His father had refused to see him. From very different motives to Shelley’s he too considered his son’s marriage the unforgivable crime.