We were not long in suspense as to the nature of the new
assault. Up to that hour, the master had played a very
close game with Mrs. Henry ; avoiding pointedly to be alone
with her, which I took at the time for an effect of decency,
but now think to be a most insidious art ; meeting her, you
may say, at meal- time only ; and behaving, when he did so,
like an affectionate brother. Up to that hour, you may say
he had scarce directly interfered between Mr. Henry and his
wife ; except in so far as he had maneuvered the one quite
forth from the good graces of the other. Now, all that was
to be changed ; but whether really in revenge, or because he
was wearying of Durrisdeer and looked about for some
di\rersion, who but the devil shall decide?

From that hour at least began the siege of Mrs. Henry;

. a thing so deftly carried on that I scarce know if she was

aware of it herself, and that her husband must look on in

silence. The first parallel was opened (as was made to



Ji)e /T\a8ter of Ballaptrae 103

appear) by accident. The talk fell, as it did often, on the
exiles in France : so it glided to the matter of their songs.
"There is one," says the master, "if you are curious in
these matters, that has always seemed to me very moving.
