'
'Changes for the worse, I mean. Men are doing all kinds of things,
just because the rules of the House allow them.'
'If they be within the rule,' said the Duke, 'I don't know who is
to blame them. In my time, if any man stretched a rule too far the
House would not put up with it.'
'That's just it,' said Nidderdale. 'The House puts up with
anything now. There is a great deal of good feeling no doubt, but
there's no earnestness about anything. I think you are more
earnest than we; but then you are such horrid bores. And each
earnest man is in earnest about something that nobody else cares
for.'
When they were again in the drawing-room, Lord Popplecourt was
seated next to Lady Mary. 'Where are you going this autumn?' he
asked.
'I don't know in the least. Papa said something about going
abroad.'
'You won't be at Custins?' Custins was Lord Cantrip's country seat
in Dorsetshire.
'I know nothing about myself as yet. But I don't think I shall go
anywhere unless papa goes too.'
'Lady Cantrip has asked me to be at Custins in the middle of
October.
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