Therefore, when it came to pass that Robert Darnley, contrary to the will and wish of his father, had renewed the acquaintance with Miss Primrose, the ladies knew not which side to take, and so they wisely took neither. What a bustle would be saved at elections, and how quiet would be the House of Commons, if nobody voted but those who knew why they voted. As the Darnley family was not habituated to coolness or quarrelling, the present fit of silence was very inconvenient. And every day when the family met at breakfast and dinner, they looked at one another most imploringly, as if begging for something beyond the ordinary common-place, unavoidable speaking, which must of necessity take place at every table. Mrs Darnley was quite in the fidgets. She tried over and over again, but all to no purpose, to compel her reverend spouse to say something about Smatterton; and fifty times at least, within the space of a very few days, did she almost begin to introduce the discussion by main force, but as often did she retire from the attempt damped and dispirited. The worthy rector kept up his stately reserve; and every morning did Robert Darnley walk over to Smatterton, and every afternoon did he as regularly return to dine with his family; and though his father knew, or at least strongly conjectured where he had been, yet no mention was made of it. People who know nothing more about Christianity than what they read in the New Testament, might imagine that a minister of that religion would, in the discharge of his official duties, have met with some sentiment or expression that might have aroused the feelings of consideration and forgiveness in his bosom, and have reminded him that silent sulkiness was not one of the Christian graces. But it is far easier to accommodate religion to our caprices, than to regulate our conduct by religion. And Mr Darnley had been so long accustomed to utter a set of words, that he forgot that any meaning was attached to them. It was not by Mr Darnley the elder, nor by the impatient Mrs Darnley, nor by the knowing Miss Darnleys, that the painful family silence was at last broken; but it was by the plain, straightforward conduct of the young gentleman himself, who became impatient of the miserable restraint which his father’s obstinate humour had imposed upon the family. One morning at breakfast, when nothing had been said by any one of the family, except about tea and eggs and bread and butter, Robert Darnley said very deliberately and respectfully to his father: “If you are not engaged this morning, Sir, I shall be glad to have a little conversation with you.” Mr Darnley the elder anticipated in a moment what was to be the nature of the conversation; but as no intimation to that effect was given by the young gentleman, the father could only say in reply, that he was quite at liberty to hear anything that his son might have to say to him.