The Earl had never risen very high, and even Phineas, with all his desire to be civil, could not say that the Earl's presence would materially serve the interests of the Liberal party.

He made what most civil excuses he could, and suggested that if Lord Brentford should choose to return, Lady Laura would very willingly remain at Dresden alone.

"But why shouldn't she come too ?" asked the Earl.

And then, with the tardiness of old age, he proposed his little plan.

"Why should she not make an attempt to live once more with her husband ?" "She never will," said Phineas.
"But think how much she loses," said the Earl.
"I am quite sure she never will.