In fact, if Mr. Filmer had deliberately selected a rôle which would bring him the least trouble and the most honor, he could not have done better unto himself. As it was, whenever he came out of his retirement, and condescendingly put himself on a level with the family dinner-table, he was the guest of honor; for usually his little delicacies were carried with elaborate nicety into the small private room adjoining the library. Every one tried to make him understand how great was the favor of his presence; and Adriana, though she knew nothing of his peculiarities, was able to perceive even in the passing conversation of the hour, a different influence. Harry generally set the key at that light tone which touches society in those moods when it chases gaiety till out of breath. There was always a deeper meaning in his father's opinions and reflections; and the family were apt to look admiringly at one another when their profundity was greater than usual. In the middle of the meal, there fell upon the company one of those infectious silences which the "folk" explain by saying "an angel passes"; but which Harry broke by a question: "Why this silence?" he asked. "Why this recollection?" Mr. Filmer immediately substituted. "What are you all remembering? Speak, my dear," he said to Mrs. Filmer. "I was recalling the fact that I had not written a line in my diary for a month." "I congratulate you, Emma! People who are happy do not write down their happiness. And you, Miss Van Hoosen?" "I was remembering some boys that Mr. Filmer and I met in the wood this morning. They were rifling a thrush's nest. I begged them not to do it; but then, boys will be boys." "That is the trouble. If they could only be dogs, or any other reasonable, useful, or inoffensive creature! But alas! a good boy is an unnatural boy. Now, Rose, where did your memory stray?" "To Letitia Landon's wedding. She married Mr. Landon because he was rich, and I was remembering her old lover, Horace Key, standing in the aisle, watching the wedding. There were three at that wedding, I think." "And in such cases, two is matrimony, and three divorce. As to your memories, Harry? Are they repeatable?" "I was thinking of the insane pace and frivolities of the past season; and if I had not spoken, I should have got as far as a reflection on the bliss of a quiet country life, like the present." "You must remember, Harry, that the 'frivolity' of the multitude is never frivolous--it portends too much." "And pray, sir, in what direction went your memory?" "No further than the ferry boat. It gave me, this morning, an opportunity of studying human nature, in its betting aspect." "What did you think of it, sir?" "I thought instantly of Disraeli's definition of the Turf:--'this institution for national demoralization.'" "Is it worse than politics?"