There had been no penalty of everlasting punishment denounced against vulgarity.

And then a higher idea touched her, not without effect,--an idea which she could not analyse, but which was hardly on that account the less effective.

She did believe thoroughly in her husband, to the extent of thinking him the fittest man in all the country to be its Prime Minister.

His fame was dear to her.

Her nature was loyal; and though she might, perhaps, in her younger days have been able to lean upon him with a more loving heart had he been other than he was, brighter, more gay, given to pleasures, and fond of trifles, still, she could recognise merits with which her sympathy was imperfect.