ning, but in a few sentences Leicester led
them to forget their weariness, and to be unconscious of the stifling
atmosphere of the hall.

In turning to address the chairman he saw Olive's eyes fixed on him, and
he realised that this was the first time they had ever been together on
such an occasion. He must prove worthy of her confidence, of her hope,
of her love. He had told her that he could do anything with her by his
side, and he longed to show her that he had not uttered an empty boast.
Besides, his heart thrilled at the thought that she was his promised
wife--this, the one woman in all the world to him.

Men said afterwards that the great speech of the ex-Cabinet Minister was
only worthy of being called an introduction to the real speech of the
evening. Never had Leicester spoken as he spoke that night, for in
addition to brilliant epigram, scathing criticism, and searching
analysis there was a great moral fervour. For the moment he cast aside
his old hopelessness; and his words were glowing with warmth, and
convincing because of the ardent sincerity of his own beliefs. The
meeting forgot that an ex-Cabinet Minister had been speaking for more
than an hour, and remembered only that the present speaker was lifting
them into a higher realm of thought, and presently, when he sat down,
the audience rose _en masse_, and gave him an ovation.

Directly he went into the ante-room a crowd gathered around him to
congratulate him, but he took but little notice of them. Their praise to
him was merely words. Even the congratulations of the ex-Cabinet
Minister seemed nothing to him: his eyes were keenly scanning the faces
of those present, in order to see some one who had not yet spoken. She
came presently, and as Leicester saw her, his heart beat with a great
joy. He knew what she thought--it was evident from the look she gave
him.

Forgetful of all else he rushed to her side; he did not speak, but
waited anxiously for what she might say.

"I _am_ proud," she said in a whisper.

"Are you satisfied?" he asked.

"That is only a suggestion of what I feel," was her reply.

And she spoke the truth. Never did she feel towards him as she did that
night. She forgot the impression he had first made upon her, forgot all
the stories she had heard about him. She thought only of her pride in
him, and the great future which lay before him. And with it all came the
consciousness that she had caused the change. She was giving him nobl