"But who told you that she was about to them in grogam to the village school, to inspect leave him?"

Grandmamma and my aunt Meliora." "The Dowager?-Ay, ay! I might have guessed as much!"

samplers and pass spelling books in review.

Mrs. Evelyn of the Willows, a neat little swamp upon the banks of the Weaver, was precisely in this mood of mind when the scan"They mentioned, ten days or a fortnight dal intended to cut her to the heart was whetago, that Lady Alicia's marriage with Lord ted by the Dowager and her coterie. Every Chichester was quite determined upon." soul was gone to London out of the neighbor

"By whom, pray? By herself, Goody hood, with the exception of Sir Thomas and Crouch and Lady Dearmouth!- By no one Lady Seldon; the former of whom was a paelse, I can assure you! Chichester and ralytic little gentleman, who never left his Alice?-Ha! ha! ha! ha! ha!—I am no pa- chimney corner; and the latter, a gentlewoman tron of what Dr. Johnson calls 'the last argu- six feet high, and as active as a power-loom. ment of a fool;' but on this occasion, Cis, to Poor Mrs. Evelyn, dull as it was to hear her stimulate your taste for a betting book, and husband grumbling for rain, and to listen to the entitle you to be seen in the society of Lady cawing of rooks as they wheeled over the Medwyn and Co., I will venture sixpence that Willows to seek their more airy tenements at you will see me the spouse of Madam Crouch, Seldon Park, would have been glad to com(let Sir Jacob Appleby look to it,) before you pound for seeing less of the rooks' landlords, so see Lord Grandison's daughter change her dispirited did she feel after the kind neighborly name for that of Chichester!-But, perhaps, visits of Lady Seldon, which purported to you are mistaking your man? Perhaps it was amuse the poor moping young thing at the Johnny, not Lord Chichester whom you heard Willows with news of the gay metropolis." pointed out as the happy bridegroom? For I flatter myself Johnny really has some influence over the young heiress's affections; while as to my nephew

"You are certain, then, that there is no truth in the report?" pursued Cecilia, turning red and pale by turns.

Lady Seldon, the colleague and correspondent of Mrs. Crouch, was a harsh, perpendicular woman, every movement of whose wooden figure was so cramped and uneasy, that the beholder expected, on approaching nearer, to hear a creaking as of a vessel laboring against wind and tide. Destitute of a single grace of "As certain as I am that you are peeling mind or body, her pleasure consisted in making that Cresanne pear with the wrong edge of other people feel as uncomfortable as she lookyour knife! Between ourselves, Madam Cis, ed; and if success be a proof of genius, it (since, like all young ladies of eighteen, you must be admitted that Lady Seldon possessed are getting a bit of a gossip in such matters,) extraordinary talents. Her first object was to my friend Grandison has other projects for his daughter; and my friend Grandison's daughter, I suspect, other projects for herself."

discover the susceptible point of every new acquaintance, that she might lose no time in applying her caustics; and very soon after the Cecilia ventured a single glance towards her marriage of the Evelyns and their settling at mother. But it conveyed such a world of joy the Willows, Lady Seldon discovered that Mrs. and exultation, that Lady Mary felt in duty bound to receive it with the utmost coldness; remarking in a voice sufficiently loud to be heard by her daughter, " that matrimonial projects being so frequently disappointed, it was a sad waste of human time and ingenuity to indulge in building castles in the air, which a breath was at any moment able to destroy."

CHAPTER XII.

Evelyn was jealous of her sister, Lady Gransden, as the favorite daughter of her parents; and that Mr. Evelyn was tenacious concerning Grandison House; which, though lying within visiting distance of his small seat, had hitherto overlooked its existence. She saw that poor Elizabeth was at once proud and envious of her sister; and Evelyn, indignant against Lord Grandison, and yet disposed to court his acquainance.

For two years past, accordingly, she had never put on her condemning cap to proceed to the Willows, without having furnished herTHERE is an epoch of the year when the self with an account of some charming party most domestic of country ladies is apt to fall given at Grandison House the preceding day, out with the rural shades; and strange to tell, or week, or year, by way of tantalizing poor it is at the moment when the rural shades are Evelyn; or a fashionable journal containing an looking their loveliest. In the months of May account of some brilliant entertainment in town, and June, which afford so much occupation to in which there was no mention of Lady Gransfarmers and gardeners, and set all the old den.

women of all the parishes in England at work "I thought, Ma'am, I understood from you," upon the ill weeds that grow apace in our she would say, "that your sister was every gravel walks, country gentlemen during the where; that no one was so much admired; that field-sport recess, are sure to grow bored; and her beauty and elegance attracted universal atthe matrons, in whom their souls delight, to tention? Now just look here! I don't say that fret after the pleasures of the town. Half it matters much, Ma'am-but the coincidence their country neighbors have emigrated to the is extraordinary. There are accounts in this great Babylon; and the morning papers teem Morning Post of three of the most splendid with descriptions of the trains and plumes of fetes of the season with copious lists of the those who, a little month before, ambled with company, and not a word, not a single syllable

of Lady Gransden! Look among the Viscoun- papers were often her instruments of tortune) tesses, Ma'am-no Lady Gransden! Look to prove to Mrs. Evelyn that her sister had among the Ladies, Ma'am-no Lady Gransden! been presenting some obscure or objectionable Nothing can be plainer than that your sister person at the drawing-room. was not at any one of these parties !"

"It may be so," would reply Mrs. Evelyn, a nervous little woman, easily dispirited; "but as you say, it matters very little; for I can assure you Lady Gransden moves in the best society. Indeed, there is every reason that it should be so."

"I own I am a little surprised, Ma'am, considering all we have heard of Lady Gransden, that she would have courage to undertake a Mrs. Smith. Now, pray look here. Look among the presentations. Those are the advertisements, Ma'am. Dear me, is it possible that any one don't know where to look for the presenta"Still, my dear Ma'am, facts speak for them- tions! Here, Ma'am-at the head of the list selves. Where do you see your sister's name Mrs. William Smith, by Viscountess Gransin these very circumstantial lists? Only point den!' Mrs. William Smith! now who on earth it out to me? You certainly gave me to un- is Mrs. William Smith?" derstand that Lady Gransden was invited to all the fetes at D. House."

"And so, I can assure you, she is. I have not had a letter this fortnight from mamma, through whom I usually hear of Laura's movements; so that, perhaps, she may be indisposed."

"Ah! Lady Gransden does not write to you herself, then? It is only through Mrs. Oakham, Ma'am, that you hear of her?"

"Is there not a peer of the name of Smith ?" iuquired Mrs. Evelyn, blushing. "It is probably some relation of his."

"I beg your pardon, Ma'am; but in that case, this Mrs. William Smith would probably have been presented by the head of her husband's family."

"I recollect a friend of papa, of that name, who was always pointed out to me as one of the most valuable members of the House of Commons," said Mrs. Evelyn, feeling rather anxious.

66

"Laura writes to me every four or five weeks; but I hear from mamma much oftener." "Ay, ay! Mrs. Oakham has not quite so "Oh! he has been dead these hundred years! many fashionable engagements on her hands No, Ma'am; this Mrs. William Smith appears as you seem to fancy, fall to the share of the to be some obscure person,-some nonentityViscountess; and the letters from Hanbury some neighbor, perhaps, at Gransden Hall.” Park, as we all know-ahem-contain every Very likely. Most people have troublepossible particular concerning your sister. But some country neighbors," replied Mrs. Evelyn, still I can't fancy that it was indisposition, unconscious that she was uttering an epigram. Ma'am, which kept Lady Gransden away from But I will certainly write to Laura to make these parties; because I saw her name only the inquiry." yesterday in the list of visitors to the Olympic Theatre."

"I am sure it is very kind of you to take so much notice of her movements," said Mrs. Evelyn, without intending a sneer. "I will write to my sister to-day; and her answer will probably contain an account of the London gaieties, which I will be sure to take over to Seldon Park, for your amusement, the first time I call."

Oh, pray don't trouble yourself. I dare say it is no new thing to Lady Gransden; and, perhaps, Ma'am, she might be annoyed at having it noticed."

"But she never would do anything at so public a place as the drawing room, which she did not wish and expect to have noticed," remonstrated Mrs. Evelyn.

"The best thing Lady Gransden can do at the drawing-room, is to wear a handsome dress, "I thank you, Ma'am,” replied her agreeable and look as pretty as she can. Nay, in my visitor. "It may be a proof of stupidity on opinion, (and the time was, Ma'am, that I was my part; but I confess I am not so fond of considered something of a judge of such matwhat are called clever letters as many people. ters,) in my opinion, it is the only thing she I prefer plain sense, and plain truth. Now in has to do there. Lady Gransden is not altonewspapers, Ma'am, facts speak for themselves. gether of an age or rank to pretend to make It is useless to give a flourishing account of presentations." Lord So-and-So's fete, when it has been published in black and white, that one never was indignantly. 'Surely a Viscountess-" there." "My dear Ma'am, there is Viscountess and "I believe these lists are not always to be Viscountess !" cried Lady Seldon, drawing her depended upon," said Mrs. Evelyn, beginning rigid frame into still more imposing perpendicularity. Lady Gransden, for instance, is not "I beg your pardon, Ma'am. If they err, it of noble birth. I rather conceive, Ma'am, that is by inserting more names than the occasion Mrs. Oakham never so much as appeared at justifies, rather than less. The editors receive court?"

to feel worried.

"Not of sufficient rank?" cried Mrs. Evelyn,

66

from the family, or its confidential servants, the The interrogation was so pointed, that Mrs. list of people invited, and make no allowance Evelyn could not help answering, "I don't for those who excuse themselves. Now, it is think she ever did."

clear, Ma'am, that Lord and Lady Gransden "In her own right, therefore, you see, Ma'am, were not even invited to D House, or their her Ladyship's pretensions are but small; and names would be here." with respect to Lord Gransden-to 'the VisAnother time, Lady Seldon would make her count,' as you always consider him, his peerage appearance with another paper (for the news-is quite an affair of yesterday, you know. There

are people still living, Ma'am, who perfectly The last argument, Mrs. Evelyn knew to be remember his grandfather, old David Brigson. final, so she gave up the point; and for two Now, against a new title of this description, days after her unsuccessful expedition, Lady Ma'am, there always exists so strong a prejudice, Eldon failed not to exclaim: "No signs of the that were I in Lady Gransden's place, I should Evelyns yet? Very well! Just as they please! be particularly cautious about putting myself It is some comfort to know, that while they forward. It provokes remarks, Ma'am, and on are too listless to drive two miles and a half, ly tends to expose the nakedness of the land. the destinies of this charming sister, this vaunted I should strongly advise Lady Gransden sister, this delightful 'Viscountess' are accom(though, as you so often observe, a Viscountess) plished!" to abstain from presenting at the court of her Sovereign, a Mrs. William Smith. Two nega- a bilious attack; and unable longer to endure tives will never make an affirmative." such a trial of the constitution as a scandal

66

At length her suppressed venom brought on

"Nor two nobodies a somebody, I suppose thrown in, she indited an epistle to Mrs. Eveyou mean," cried Mrs. Evelyn, now worked up lyn, in pale ink upon the bluest note paper, into something nearly amounting to a rage. (looking like a bulletin of the plague,)" begAnd when Lady Seldon had curtsied off, the ging to see her at Seldon Park at her earliest poor little woman actually cried again, though possible convenience, for the communication of in different wise. family business of the most urgent necessity." After all this, the delight of the harsh Lady It happened that Mr. Evelyn, as he was Seldon will readily be conceived, on receiving making war after breakfast, spade in hand, the letter of Mrs. Crouch. The Viscountess a upon the dandelions on his lawn, espied a groom sinner-the Viscountess engaged in a criminal in the Seldon livery coming to the house; liaison. It was more than she had expected--when he exercised his conjugal rights so far as it was more than she had hoped; nay, it was to open the dispatch, and return an answer, almost too much; for she was only desirous of making an appointment in Mrs. Evelyn's name an excuse to plague little Mrs. Evelyn, and this for two o'clock; it being the custom of the Evewas almost her motive to drop her acquaint- lyns, as of many other people, to time their ance. Mrs. Crouch had signified, however, that airings so close upon their servants' dinner it might yet be time to save the offender by hour, as to necessitate the operation suggested the interposition of judicious friends; (a po- by Dame Alison Wilson in Old Mortality, of lite periphrasis, signifying mischief-makers ;)" getting their thrapples causewayed." and she accordingly ordered her horses with But Evelyn had no intention that, on the peculiar glee, in the intention of proceeding to present occasion, either coachman or footman the Willows. should be put in requisition. At half past one, It happened, however, that Mrs. Evelyn's he mounted his solitary nag, as if for one of his husband had found his little wife in tears, after usual excursions to the neighboring post town; the tall lady's last descent upon his dwelling; those excursions which country gentlemen who and whereas, a short time before, Lady Seldon have not much to amuse them at home, attrihad given him mortal offence, by hinting that bute to "a little business at the bank," she always visited the Willows in cork soles, paper to sign at the lawyer's;" but which, in as well as inquiring whether, on account of the fact, purport only to a greeting in the marketlargeness of the consumption in the ague sea place with other country neighbors, hurrying son, they did not have their bark from Apothe to the fishmonger's or ironmonger's after a caries Hall; and above all, as he chose, in a turbot or a patent mole-trap, or some other truly marital spirit, to enjoy the monopoly of purchase of especial interest requiring the eye teazing his wife, he gave orders to his servants, of the squire. to answer, on her Ladyship's next application for admittance, "Not at home."

66 -or a

Instead, however, of taking his usual course, Evelyn turned off from the high road towards Suspecting the truth, perhaps, Lady Seldon re Seldon Park; little suspecting that the grim monstrated-pleaded-then raged and stormed; lady, in full expectation of his wife, was preand at length quitted the garden gate, leaving paring for the conference as surgeons prepare solemn word with the footman, that Mrs. Eve- for an operation, by placing salts' bottles and lyn's absence from home was most unfortunate, sal-volatile within reach. He had just time, as she had business of the utmost consequence however, to hear her exclaim (when the servant to communicate to her; her ladyship, nothing preceding him into the morning room, andoubting that so mysterious a hint would bring the lady the following day to Seldon Park.

It would probably have done so, but for the obduracy of Mr. Evelyn.

nounced "Mr. Evelyn."-" Mister Evelyn?Pray learn, Sir, to speak more correctly, and when you announce a lady, remember her name is Mistress !"

"No, no!" said he. "The old hop-pole, who The country footman sniggered at the notion like Queen Elizabeth, is cankered in mind as that for once his missus was plaguily out; and in body, has never any thing to relate calcu- dawdled in the room arranging the chairs, in lated to afford pleasure to any living soul order to enjoy his lady's discomfiture while Depend upon it, Lizzy, she has some little piece receiving her visiter's explanations that, "Mrs. of ill-nature to croak out to you, which she Evelyn being detained at home by indisposition, fears will lose its sting by keeping. Don't go! he waited upon her ladyship according to her If she have any thing to say, let her write. appointment, for an important communication Besides, I want all the horses for the next regarding the interests of his family." three days at the farm."

Lady Seldon drew up, and assumed her

most repulsive countenance. To do her justice, (shifting code of ethics. He knew nothing of she looked as hard as a hone. the favorite sophism that, "So long as the "There was no immediate haste," she said. husband is satisfied, no one has a right to say "The affair was a delicate one. She preferred a word." He did not understand the meaning waiting the convalescence of Mrs. Evelyn." of "a liaison pour passer le temps, in which But the husband was positive. He knew there is no possible harm." To him, a divorcee something of the tender mercies of Seldon meant an adultress; and the terse abbreviation Park, and being aware that it would require a of crim. con., the type of every thing that is good smart blow of the rod to compel the revolting to the laws of God and man, or the stream of this flinty Horeb to gush forth, as- delicacy of the female character. He shuddered sumed so stern a tone, that Lady Seldon, re- at the thought of such a stigma resting upon flecting upon the insufficiency of her two male the sister of his wife-upon the consanguineous champions, Sir Thomas in his Bath chair, and relative of his children. It is true there were the sniggering footinan, who was listening at excuses to be made for Evelyn's pragmaticality. the door, to eject the resolute intruder, had mo- He was only a country gentleman in a very mentary recourse to one of the salts' bottles small way;-only Mr. Evelyn of the Willowsprepared for Mrs. Evelyn, by way of invigorat- a place with a garden gate and no housekeeper's ing her courage; then burst forth into a recital, room,-going twice to church of a Sundaywhich her rage at having it extorted from her, and not visited by the Right Hon. Earl of colored with a far higher pencil than had been Grandison! intended or anticipated by Mrs. Crouch,

Poor fellow!-After marrying into a family

Her object was answered. Poor Evelyn of the highest respectability, and bearing with stood confounded. For a moment, indeed, he philosophy the preference shewn by the Oakturned so pale that there seemed every reason hams to their younger daughter and noble son for offering to him some of the restoratives in-law, it was a hard thing to feel that he and awaiting his wife. his were to be disgraced by the wickedness of

At length, he recovered his powers of under- one whose merits had always been thrown in standing and articulation sufficiently for a few his teeth. John Evelyn had often been twitted interrogations; and had the comfort of finding by the Oakhams with the lavish indulgences Lady Seldon recede gradually from her first granted by Lord Gransden to his wife. Pretty assertion that Lady Gransden had either eloped indulgences!--glorious results! His own relawith Lord Chichester, or was preparing to tions, (unpretending people, not sufficiently elope from her husband, into a qualified decla- high in the world to overlook moral delinration that the conduct of the Viscountess was quency,) would never allow him to hear the calculated to justify such a supposition. Now last of the misdemeanors of his wife's sister! suppositions, as even Mr. Evelyn of the Willows Evelyn re-entered his garden-gate with was aware, take their coloring from the mind chafed feelings, prepared to communicate, with in which they are engendered; and he could, little ceremony, the worst to his wife. But his therefore, conceive that the gossipping corre- angry feelings subsided by the time he reachspondent of a Lady Seldon, might "suppose" one thing, and people of sense and feeling, an

other.

ed the pretty green lawn at the rear of the house; where sat Mrs. Evelyn, looking so mild and feminine in her white wrapper and mornHis heart beat more freely, therefore, as he ing cap, on a green bench under the trees-resumed courage to express a hope to his harsh with a little fat crowing thing of eight months hostess, that she was not wantonly circulating old in her arms, and a fine boy of two years, a scandal calculated to inflict irreparable injury making such mighty efforts with his wheel-barupon the domestic peace of a respectable fa- row, that the mother kept cautioning him mily; and having ascertained from the tone of against wheeling it into the river which ran at her reply, that her information was far from so six hundred yards' distance, and was protected positive as he had at first apprehended, he by an iron fence!

assumed a firmer countenance; and in taking It was impossible to check with disastrous leave, sternly advised her not to proceed fur- tidings the affectionate smiles that brightened ther in the dissemination of reports, which he poor Lizzy's face the moment he made his aphad every reason to believe groundless. pearance. The children screamed with delight Such, however, was not his secret conviction; on his approach; the mother rose hastily from and every step of his gloomy homeward ride, her seat. He judged it better to cool his wrath tended to confirm his fears that the Viscountess by sitting quietly with them in the shade, after had disgraced herself. He had noticed many his hot dusty ride, ere he proceeded to active weeks before in the newspapers, a paragraph measures. announcing that the Gransdens had dined at The domestic affections have a singularly Lord Delmaine's with the Medwyns, and that purifying influence on the mind; forming, as it the following week they had actually been en- were, a chloride, by the operation of which all tained at dinner by Mr. and Lady Sophia Ash- the noxious particles afloat are precipitated to ford; connecting which announcements with his the bottom. By the time John Evelyn had recollection of the remarks formerly made by been well patted and kissed by his chubby his sister-in-law upon the laxity of their morals, baby, he began to fancy that happiness might he accused her of such instability of purpose as still be in store for him, even though the Viswas likely to have arisen from the conscious- countess Gransden should have been whistled ness of error. down the wind to prey at fortune. Second Evelyn was not a London man. His was no thoughts came-those children or parents of

discretion!-and all his previous resolves melt- amid all her gaieties, she never for a moment ed into a resolution to say not a syllable to his loses sight of her family and friends! Last wife of his visit to Lady Seldon, or even to ex- month, the Horrockses went up for a week to cite her uneasiness concerning her sister; but town; and there was no end to the kindness to set off per mail to Hanbury Park-confide all to his father in-law-and concert with the Oakhams measures for the salvation of Lady Gransden.

shown them by Laura, lending them her operabox, inviting them to dinner, and getting them tickets for the House of Lords, only because they happen to be neighbors of ours, though on far from a familiar footing."

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Lord Gransden appears a good-natured,

Luckily, Mr. Oakham's seat lay in the road towards London; so that the journey was practicable, without exciting the suspicions of Eliza- hospitable man," said Evelyn, drily. beth. Every country gentleman has occasion

"Lord Gransden ?"-cried Mrs. Oakham. "I

ally business in town. Even those to whom assure you, everything of that kind proceeds the royal court is an unknown puppet show from Laura! Laura has absolute authority in have business in other courts, in the vicinity of the house; settles with the steward, draws Temple Bar and Westminster Bridge, where upon the banker, and does exactly what she the pageant, if also performed by puppets, en- pleases!

tails more serious liabilities. The moment John "So much the worse," observed Evelyn, alEvelyn hinted that business necessitated his most morosely; and his mother-in-law, aware departure for town, Elizabeth supplied him that he was somewhat a stickler for marital with a pretext by exclaiming:-"Ah! those prerogative, immediately began quizzing him horrid lawyers! I thought the action with that for a tyrant, and declaring that he was only troublesome canal company had been amicably afraid lest Elizabeth should demand all the adjusted?" Unluckily, her very next notion privileges enjoyed by her sister. diverged to her sister. "God forbid "was his involuntary rejoin"You will see Laura," said she. "As you der. And Mrs. Oakham was beginning to get are only to be in town for a few days, you angry, and her husband anxious, when John might surely as well take a bed at the Grans- Evelyn, unable longer to dissemble, began by dens? You know how often and how kindly gentle degrees to pave the way for his heartthey have invited us to stay with them." rending communication. "Perhaps I may."

"It is a base and scandalous falsehood !""But are you sure of a place in the mail? cried Mrs. Oakham, starting up with sparkling You had better wait till to-morrow evening, eyes and swelling bosom, when she had heard my dearest John, when you may secure one, him to an end. And the difference between a and so enable me to finish the manchettes I father's and a mother's feelings was perceptible have been working for my sister. I should like in the fact that her confidence in her daughter to send her something by you. And pray re- secured her disbelief; while Oakham, with a mind me, before you go, to give you a lock of stern brow and compressed lips, murmured little Laura's hair. My sister wrote to me for threats of vengeance against the offenders one, the other day, to place in the same locket should the report prove of good foundation. with her brother's." There was no rest that night at Hanbury Evelyn felt his sight becoming rather misty, Park!-They sat late-very late-conferring as he listened to all this unsuspecting prattle. upon what was to be done, and at how early an He had made up his mind, however; he was a hour of the morning Mr. Oakham and his sonman apt to hold to his resolutions; and his port- in-law might set off for town, in order to ascermanteau accordingly was duly packed, includ- tain on the spot, the extent of the evil; yet ing a little parcel made up in satin paper and scarcely had Evelyn shaken the dust from off tied with white riband, directed (in a hand- his feet in his own room, meditating with the writing as firm as could be expected from a joy of a weary all-night traveller upon the woman whose husband was going off suddenly comforts of his pillow, when a knock was heard to London in the mail,) to the "Viscountess at his door, and poor Mrs. Oakham in her dressGransden, Upper Grosvenor Street." ing-gown, came with her pale cheeks and red Great was the amazement of Hanbury Park, eyes, to entreat a few minutes' audience. She when the following night saw the son-in-law wanted to talk it all over again with him! She and his portmanteau deposited at its lodge- wanted him to assure her once more that there gate! After the first exclamation of wonder at was hope, and that she need not prepare for his arrival, and joy at hearing that he had left the worst. "She came," she said, "to ask his his wife and children well and happy at the real opinion, now that her husband was not Willows, tea was brought; and before he had present, to be pained by hearing the truth !” made up his mind whether to wait for Mrs. Five minutes afterwards, before Evelyn had Oakham's retreat, or whether to concede to his said half enough to tranquillize the sobs of the mother-in-law a confidence withheld from the broken-hearted mother, came Oakham, on an partner of his joys and sorrows, poor Mrs. Oak- exactly similar errand! He put a cold face ham began, as usual, to launch into the Grans- upon the matter indeed, trying to disguise his den chapter. emotions by muttering something about boot“I conclude Lizzy hears often from her sis- jacks, hot water, and seeing his guest properly ter?"-said she. "I suppose she knows of attended to. But there was no disguising the Laura's being at the three last court balls, and fact. It was plain that the poor man had no a thousand times more admired than ever? I chance of a wink of sleep till, unknown to his must do Lady Gransden the justice to say that, wife, he had renewed the discussion with his son-in-law.