Lord Parham, though now in the fourth year of
his Premiership, was still something of a mystery to his countrymen;
while for the inner circle it was an amusement and an event that he
should be seen without his wife.
For some time all went well. Kitty's manners and topics were alike
beyond reproach. When presently she inquired politely as to the success
of his Scottish tour, Lord Parham hoped he had not altogether disgraced
himself. But, thank Heaven, it was done. Meanwhile Ashe, he supposed,
had been enjoying the pursuits of a scholar and a gentleman?--lucky
fellow!
"He has been reading the Bible," said Kitty, carelessly, as she handed
cake. "Just now he's in the Acts. That's why, I suppose, he didn't hear
the carriage. John!" She called a footman. "Tell Mr. Ashe that Lord
Parham has arrived!"
The Premier opened astonished eyes.
"Does Ashe generally study the Scriptures of an afternoon?"
Kitty nodded--with her most confiding smile. "When he can. He says"--she
dropped her voice to a theatrical whisper--"the Bible is such a 'd----d
interesting' book!"
Lord Parham started in his seat. Ashe and some of his friends still
faintly recalled, in their too familiar and public use of this
particular naughty word, the lurid vocabulary of the Peel and Melbourne
generation.
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