by-plot

“As for the desperate political intrigues, the by-plot, the fighting, the book’s whole body and action, it is admirably done.”

In the morning he awoke, but did not forget the statement of Mary, that had given a momentary impulse to his bile, and, repairing to the breakfast-room, he found there his six sons and his wife, who, from some fugitive indications of face and manner, appeared to be engaged in some by-plot, in which she was the exclusive actor.