But yet she was
pervaded by a tenderness of feeling in regard to Larry which was
love also, though love altogether of another kind. She thought of
him daily. His future well-being was one of the cares of her life.
That her husband might be able to call him a friend was among her
prayers. Had anybody spoken ill of him in her presence she would
have resented it hotly. Had she been told that another girl had
consented to be his wife, she would have thought that girl to be
happy in her destiny. When she heard that he was leading a
wretched, moping, aimless life for her sake, her heart was sad
within her. It was necessary to the completion of her happiness
that Larry should recover his tone of mind and be her friend.
"Reg," she said, leaning on his arm out in the park, "I want you to
do me a favour."
"Watch and chain?"
"Don't be an idiot. You know I've got a watch and chain."
"Some girls like two. To have the wooden bridge pulled down and a
stone one built."
"If any one touched a morsel of that sacred timber he should be
banished from Bragton for ever. I want you to ask Mr. Twentyman to
come to our wedding."
"Who's to do it? Who's to bell the cat?"
"You."
"I would sooner fight a Saracen, or ride such a horse as killed
that poor major. Joking apart, I don't see how it is to be done.
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