What was the cause of her gaiety? Was she
thinking improperly of the Major? No. If she had gone with
Zachariah alone to the theatre would she have been so cheerful? No.
Did she really think she loved her husband better? Yes. The human
heart, even the heart of Mrs. Coleman, is beyond our analysis.
CHAPTER IV--A FRIEND OF THE PEOPLE
The Friends of the People continued their meetings, and Zachariah
attended regularly, although, after about three months' experience,
he began to doubt whether any advance was being made. The immediate
subject of discussion now was a projected meeting in Spitalfields,
and each branch of the Society was to organise its own contingent.
All this was perfectly harmless. There was a good deal of wild talk
occasionally; but it mostly came from Mr. Secretary, especially when
he had had his beer. One evening he had taken more than enough, and
was decidedly staggering as he walked down Lamb's Conduit Street
homewards. Zachariah was at some distance, and in front of him, in
close converse, were his shoemaking friend, the Major, and a third
man whom he could not recognise. The Secretary swayed himself across
Holborn and into Chancery Lane, the others following.
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