I am inclined to think that the cake is more wholesome without it." Phineas did not go up-stairs into Mrs.Low's drawing-room on that evening, nor did he stay very late with Mr.Low.He had heard enough of counsel to make him very unhappy,--to shake from him much of the audacity which he had acquired for himself during his morning's walk,--and to make him almost doubt whether, after all, the Chiltern Hundreds would not be for him the safest escape from his difficulties.

But in that case he must never venture to see Lady Laura Standish again..