CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

Annoyances

Nineteenth—Lady Lowborough was quite pleased to find that I would not tell her husband of her love affair with my husband. As the guests' departure quickly arrives, she becomes more fearless in her behaviour towards my husband.

The last day of her stay at Grassdale, she came to me, with a proud smile, obviously wanting to anger me with some hurtful news.

"You know, Mrs Huntingdon, you should thank me," she paused to look at me, "shall I tell you why you should thank me?"

"I shall be glad to hear of anything you have assisted me in."

"Well," she continued, "you have, of course, noticed the change in Mr Huntingdon's behaviour, as he has become quite a polite gentleman recently. I know you tried to change him, but failed. I told him, in a few words, that I could not bear to see him embarrass himself, and that he should take less wine, and begin acting like a gentleman. So, he did change his behaviour; and you should thank me for it."

I stood up and left the room.

"But I do not ask for your thanks," she continued, "I only hope that you will take care of him when I am gone, and do not ignore him, or he will return to his bad drinking habits again."

I was silent with anger. They are all going tomorrow; I am quite thankful.

(end of section)