Page:Ethel Churchill 2.pdf/182

180 and assistance. May I ask them to stay here? I am so glad that you are in the opposition!" "I always," replied Lord Marchmont, after a long pause, during which he vouchsafed not the slightest attention to the earnest and imploring looks of his wife, "have considered women to be superlatively foolish; but so glaring an instance of their folly never before came under my own personal knowledge! Because I am opposed to Sir Robert on some questions, is it immediately to be supposed that I am about to give up my country, my king, and my God?" "Why, who ever asked you to do any thing of the sort?" ejaculated Henrietta, in utter dismay. "You did, madam, when you ventured to suppose that I would make my house the rendezvous of conspirators and Jacobins!" "I did but ask your protection," returned Lady Marchmont, "for a weak old woman, and a friendless young one!" "Both very dangerous!" replied his lordship: "you may wish to see my head fall on