JameswaswanderinginthegardenofPrimptonHousewhileMrs.Jacksonthitherwentherway.SincetheterminationofhisengagementwithMarythreedaysback,thesubjecthadnotbeenbroachedbetweenhimandhisparentsbuthedivinedtheirthoughts.Heknewthattheyawaitedthearrivalofhisuncle,MajorForsyth,tosetthematterright.Theydidnotseektoreconcilethemselveswiththeideathatthebreakwasfinalitseemedtoomonstrousathingtobetrue.Jamessmiled,withbitteramusement,attheirsimpletrustinthemanoftheworldwhowasduethatday.
MajorForsythwasfifty-three,ahaunterofmilitaryclubs,abusysluggard,whosethisprideinappearingdissipated,andyetledtheblamelesslifeofaclergyman'sdaughterpreservingaspotlessvirtue,nothingpleasedhimmorethantobethoughtarake.Hehadbeenonhalf-payformanyyears,andblamedtheWarOfficeonthataccountratherthanhisownincompetence.Eversinceretiringhehadtoldpeoplethatadvancement,inthesedegeneratedays,wasimpossiblewithoutinfluence:hewas,indeed,oneofthosementowhompowerfulfriendsoffertheonlychanceofsuccessandpossessingnone,inveighedconstantlyagainstthecorruptofficialismofthoseinauthority.ButtohisJeremiadsuponthedecayofthepublicservicesheaddedakeeninterestintheworldoffashionitisalwayswellthatamanshouldhavevariedactivitiesitwidenshishorizon,andgiveshimagreaterusefulness.Ifhisattentionhadbeenlimitedtored-tape,MajorForsyth,eveninhisowncircle,mighthavebeenthoughtalittleone-sidedbuthisknowledgeofetiquetteandtailorseffectuallypreventedthereproach.Hewaspleasedtoconsiderhimselfinsocietyhereadassiduouslythosepaperswhichgivedetailedaccountsofthegoings-oninthe"huppersuccles,"andcouldgiveyouwithconsiderableaccuracythewhereaboutsoftitledpeople.Ifhehadaweakness,itwasbyhismannerofspeakingtoinsinuatethatheknewcertainnoblepersonswhom,asamatteroffact,hehadneverseteyesonhewouldnothavetoldadirectlieonthesubject,buthisconsciencepermittedhimaslightequivocation.MajorForsythwaswellupinallthegossipoftheclubs,andifhecouldnotcall