the people they love?" Lilith asked innocently;
and Francis said they did; of course they did. What else was there for
them to do?

He remembered afterwards that though the conversation which followed was
entirely agreeable to his feelings, Lilith had persistently avoided a
definite promise.

The next morning a letter was handed in at the door of his chambers. It
was in Lilith's writing, and ran as follows:

"Dear Francis--

"I want you to know that I am engaged to be married to Hereward
Lowther. He asked me last night, just after you, and I said `Yes.'
Thank you so much for all your kindness. It would have been very
nice, but I feel sure that we should not have suited.

"Yours affectionately,

"Lilith Wastneys."

The engagement of Hereward Lowther caused some excitement in the
political world, across which he had made so meteoric a flight. Of no
one of the younger men in the House had so much been hoped. His first
speech was still quoted as the most brilliant effort of the kind within
the memory of the present generation, while his tact and his charm had
seemed little inferior to his ability. Poor, brilliant, unhappy
Lowther, his was but another name added to the list of the men of genius
who have been their own worst enemies! So rapid had been his downfall,
so flagrant his avoidance of duty, that his friends were convinced that
his constituency would not return him a second time.

And now, with the shock of the unexpected, came the news of his
matrimonial engagement. The chorus of disapproval was loud, but the
Chief frowned thoughtfully, and reserved his opinion.

"If she is the right woman, it may be the saving of him yet. Who is
she? Does anyone know?"

"Her name is Wastneys; daughter of a country squire down in Cornwall.
Good enough family, so far as that goes."

"And the girl herself?"

"Oh, a doll! Insignificant creature, with washed-out colouring. Not
even good looking. Heavy and dull; not a word to say."

The Chief sighed.

"That," he said slowly, "is the end of Lowther! The man is doomed."

During the weeks of the honeymoon Hereward Lowther's thoughts were
exercised with a problem which, it is to be hoped, presents no
difficulty to the average bridegroom.

"_Why had he married his wife_?"

During the few months which had elapsed since his introduction to Lilith
Wastneys, Lowther had been conscious of a reluctant admiration, which
was strangely akin to antipa