"When I see those footmen dressed up in that ridiculous costume, with powder in their heads, I confess then to being struck with wonder at a society which permits such monstrosity, and degrades its fellow-creatures to such a level." "O, for a stump!" cried Caterham, shaking in his chair and with the tears running down his cheeks; "this display of virtuous indignation is quite a new and hitherto undiscovered feature in the little girl from Ricksborough; though of course you are quite wrong in your logic. Your fault should be found with the creatures who permit themselves to be so reduced. That 'dreary old thing,' Mr. Mill, would tell you that if the supply ceased, the demand would cease likewise. But don't let us talk about politics, for heaven's sake, even in fun. Let us revert to our original topic." "What was that?" "What was that! Why you, of course! Don't you recollect that we decided that you should have some drawing-lessons?" "I recollect you were good enough to--" "Annie! Annie! I thought it was fully understood that my goodness was a tabooed subject. No; you remember we arranged, on the private-view day of the Exhibition, with that man who had those two capital pictures--what's his name?--Ludlow, to give you some lessons." "Yes; but Mr. Ludlow himself told us that he could not come for some little time; he was going out of town." "Ive had a letter from him this morning, explaining the continuance of his absence. What do you think is the reason?" "He was knocked up, and wanted rest?" "N-no; apparently not." "He's not ill? O, Arthur, he's not ill?" "Not in the least, Annie,--there's not the least occasion for you to manifest any uneasiness." Lord Caterham's voice was becoming very hard and his face very rigid. "Mr. Ludlow's return to town was delayed in order that he might enjoy the pleasures of his honeymoon in the Isle of Wight." "His what?" "His honeymoon; he informs me that he is just married." "Married? Geoff married? Who to? What a very extraordinary thing! Who is he married to?" "He has not reposed sufficient confidence in me to acquaint me with the lady's name, probably guessing rightly that I was not in the least curious upon the point, and that to know it would not have afforded me the slightest satisfaction." "No, of course not; how very odd!" That was all Annie Maurice said, her chin resting on her hand, her eyes looking straight before her. "What is very odd?" said Caterham, in a harsh voice. "That Mr. Ludlow should get married? Upon my honour I can't see the eccentricity. It is not, surely, his extreme youth that should provoke astonishment, nor his advanced age, for the matter of that. He's not endowed with more wisdom than most of us to prevent his making a fool of himself. What there is odd about the fact of his marriage I cannot understand."