The Chancellor was in a great worry and fidget--as if this unhappy business of the Appeal was not enough for her--because, whatever decision was arrived at by the House, she would have to defend her own, and there was little doubt that her enemies would not lose so good a chance of attacking her; and now the boy must needs get saying things which were repeated in every club in London. 'I must say, Lord Chester,' she began irritably, 'that a little respect--I say a little respect--is due to a person who holds my office. I have been waiting for you a good quarter of an hour.' 'Had I known your ladyship's wish to see me, I would have saved you the trouble of coming here, and waited upon you myself. I have but just returned from church.' 'Church!' she repeated in mockery; 'what is the good of people going to church if they fly in the face of all religion? Do not answer me, pray. Your lordship thinks yourself, I know, a privileged person. You are to say, and to do, anything you please. But I am the Chancellor, remember, and your guardian. Now, sir, I learn that you make dangerous, revolutionary remarks--you made one yesterday--openly, on the impossibility of a young man marrying a woman older than himself.' 'Pardon me,' said Lord Chester; 'I did not say the impossibility of marrying, but of loving, a woman twenty years his senior.' 'The distinction shows the unhappy condition of your mind. To marry a woman is to love her. What would the boy want? what would he have? Professor Ingleby, have you anything to advise? He is your pupil. You are, in fact, partly responsible for this deplorable exhibition of wilfulness.' 'With your ladyship's permission,' replied the Professor softly, 'I would venture to suggest that, considering recent events, it would be much better for Lord Chester to be out of London as soon as possible.' 'What is the use of talking about leaving town when Lady Boltons is ill?' 'If your ladyship will entrust your noble ward to my care,' continued the Professor, 'I will undertake the charge of him at my own house for the next three months.' The Chancellor reflected. The plan seemed the best. Since Lady Boltons was ill, there was really no one to look after the young man, while, at the present moment of excitement, it seemed most desirable that he should be out of town. If the boy was to go on talking in this way about old women and young men, there was no telling what might not happen; and the Duchess would be pleased with such an arrangement. That consideration decided her. 'If you really can take charge of him--you could draw on Lady Boltons for whatever you like, in reason,--it does seem the best thing to do. Yes--he would be safer out of the way. When can you start?' 'To-morrow.' 'Very good; then we will settle it so. You will accompany Professor Ingleby, Lord Chester; you will consider her as your guardian--and--and all that. And for Heaven's sake, let us have no more folly!'