Rumours had reached him that things were going
badly with her and her husband; but when men repeated such rumours
in his presence, he said little or nothing on the subject. It was
not for him, at any rate, to speak of Lady Laura's unhappiness. Lord
Chiltern he had seen once or twice during the last month, and they
had met cordially as friends. Of course he could ask no question
from Lord Chiltern as to Violet; but he did learn that his friend
had again patched up some reconciliation with his father. "He has
quarrelled with me, you know," said Phineas.
"I am very sorry, but what could I do? As things went, I was obliged
to tell him."
"Do not suppose for a moment that I am blaming you. It is, no doubt,
much better that he should know it all."
"And it cannot make much difference to you, I should say."
"One doesn't like to quarrel with those who have been kind to one,"
said Phineas.
"But it isn't your doing. He'll come right again after a time. When
I can get my own affairs settled, you may be sure I'll do my best to
bring him round. But what's the reason you never see Laura now?"
"What's the reason that everything goes awry?" said Phineas,
bitterly.
"When I mentioned your name to Kennedy the other day, he looked as
black as thunder.
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