Presently he stopped. “I’m not a vain man,” he remarked, “but I must say I don’t think I’ve done badly.” Edward, for a while, was somewhat overwhelmed by his own greatness, but the opinion came to his rescue that the rewards were only according to his deserts; and presently he entered energetically into the not very arduous duties of the County Councillor. Bertha continually expected to hear something to his disadvantage; but, on the contrary, everything seemed to proceed very satisfactorily; and Edward’s aptitude for business, his keenness in making a bargain, his common sense, were heralded abroad in a manner that should have been most gratifying to his wife. But as a matter of fact these constant praises exceedingly disquieted Bertha. She asked herself uneasily whether she was doing him an injustice. Was he really so clever; had he indeed the virtues which common report ascribed to him? Perhaps she was prejudiced; or perhaps--he was cleverer than she. This thought came like a blow, for she had never doubted that her intellect was superior to Edward’s. Their respective knowledge was not comparable: she occupied herself with ideas that Edward did not conceive; his mind was ever engaged in the utterest trivialities. He never interested himself in abstract things, and his conversation was tedious, as only the absence of speculation could make it. It was extraordinary that every one but herself should so highly estimate his intelligence. Bertha knew that his mind was paltry and his ignorance phenomenal: his pretentiousness made him a charlatan. One day he came to her, his head full of a new idea. “I say, Bertha, I’ve been thinking it over and it seems a pity that your name should be dropped entirely. And it sounds funny that people called Craddock should live at Court Leys.” “D’you think so? I don’t know how you can remedy it--unless you think of advertising for tenants with a more suitable name.” “Well, I was thinking it wouldn’t be a bad idea, and it would have a good effect on the county, if we took your name again.” He looked at Bertha, who stared at him icily, but answered nothing. “I’ve talked to old Bacot about it and he thinks it would be just the thing; so I think we’d better do it.” “I suppose you’re going to consult me on the subject.” “That’s what I’m doing now.” “Do you think of calling yourself Ley-Craddock or Craddock-Ley, or dropping the Craddock altogether?” “Well, to tell you the truth, I hadn’t gone so far as that yet.” Bertha gave a little scornful laugh. “I think the idea is perfectly ridiculous.” “I don’t see that; I think it would be rather an improvement.” “Really, Edward, if I was not ashamed to take your name, I don’t think that _you_ need be ashamed to keep it.” “I say, I think you might be reasonable--you’re always standing in my way.” “I have no wish to do that. If you think my name will add to your importance, use it by all means.... You may call yourself Tompkins for all I care.”