“You know, Bertha,” she said, after a pause, “in this world it’s very difficult to know what to do. One struggles to know good from evil--but really they’re often so very much alike.... I always think those people fortunate who are content to stand, without question, by the ten commandments, knowing exactly how to conduct themselves, and propped up by the hope of Paradise on the one hand, and by the fear of a cloven-footed devil with pincers, on the other.... But we who answer _Why_ to the crude _Thou Shalt Not_, are like sailors on a wintry sea without a compass. Reason and instinct say one thing, and convention says another. But the worst of it is that one’s conscience has been reared on the Decalogue, and fostered on hell-fire--and one’s conscience has the last word. I dare say it’s cowardly, but it’s certainly discreet, to take it into consideration. It’s like lobster salad; it’s not actually immoral to eat it, but it will very likely give you indigestion.... One has to be very sure of oneself to go against the ordinary view of things; and if one isn’t, perhaps it’s better not to run any risks, but just to walk along the same secure old road as the common herd. It’s not exhilarating, it’s not brave, and it’s rather dull; but it’s eminently safe.” Bertha sighed, but did not answer. “You’d better tell Jane to pack your boxes,” said Miss Ley. “Shall I wire to Edward?” When Bertha had at last started, Miss Ley began to think. “I wonder if I’ve done right,” she murmured, uncertain as ever. She was sitting on the piano-stool, and as she meditated, her fingers passed idly over the keys. Presently her ear detected the beginning of a well-known melody, and almost unconsciously she began to play the air of _Rigoletto_. _La Donna è mobile_ _Qual piuma al vento._ Miss Ley smiled. “The fact is that few women can be happy with only one husband. I believe that the only solution of the marriage question is legalised polyandry.” In the train at Victoria, Bertha remembered with relief that the cattle-market was held at Tercanbury that day, and Edward would not come home till the evening. She would have opportunity to settle herself in Court Leys without fuss or bother. Full of her painful thoughts, the journey passed quickly, and Bertha was surprised to find herself at Blackstable. She got out, wondering whether Edward would have sent a trap to meet her--but to her extreme surprise Edward himself was on the platform, and running up, helped her out of the carriage. “Here you are at last!” he cried. “I didn’t expect you,” said Bertha. “I thought you’d be at Tercanbury.” “I got your wire fortunately just as I was starting, so of course I didn’t go.” “I’m sorry I prevented you.” “Why? I’m jolly glad. You didn’t think I was going to the cattle-market when my missus was coming home?” She looked at him with astonishment; his honest, red face glowed with the satisfaction he felt at seeing her.