there. In that case the importance of the guests would have been so
great that Frank would have got off with a half-muttered speech or two;
but now he had to make a separate oration to every one, and very weary
work he found it.

The Batesons, Bakers, and Jacksons were very civil; no doubt the more
so from an unconscious feeling on their part, that as the squire was
known to be a little out at elbows as regards money, any deficiency on
their part might be considered as owing to the present state of affairs
at Greshamsbury. Fourteen thousand a year will receive honour; in that
case there is no doubt, and the man already possessing it is not apt to
be suspicious as to the treatment he may receive; but the ghost of
fourteen thousand a year is not always so self-assured. Mr Baker,
with his moderate income, was a very much richer man than the squire;
and, therefore, he was peculiarly forward in congratulating Frank on
the brilliancy of his prospects.

Poor Frank had hardly anticipated what there would be to do, and before
dinner was announced he was very tired of it. He had no warmer feeling
for any of the grand cousins than a very ordinary cousinly love; and he
had resolved, forgetful of birth and blood, and all those gigantic
considerations which now that manhood had come upon him, he was bound
always to bear in mind,--he had resolved to sneak out to dinner
comfortably with Mary Thorne if possible; and if not with Mary, then
with his other love, Patience Oriel.

Great, therefore, was his consternation at finding that, after being
kept continually in the foreground for half an hour before dinner, he
had to walk out to the dining-room with his aunt the countess, and take
his father's place for the day at the bottom of the table.