tions?'

'My brother won't hear of such regrets,' she continued with a little
embarrassment 'He insists on the good that will be done by the change.'

'From such a proprietor as I should have been to a man of Mr. Mutimer's
activity. To be sure, that is one point of view.'

Adela blushed.

'That is not my meaning, Mr. Eldon, as you know. I was speaking of the
change without regard to who brings it about. And I was not giving my
own opinion; Alfred's is always on the side of the working people; he
seems to forget everybody else in his zeal for their interests. And
then, the works are going to be quite a new kind of undertaking. You
have heard of Mr. Mutimer's plans of course?'

'I have an idea of them.'

'You think them mistaken?'

'No. I would rather say they don't interest me. That seems to disappoint
you, Miss Waltham. Probably you are interested in them?'

At the sound of her own name thus formally interjected, Adela just
raised her eyes from their reflective gaze on the near landscape; then
she became yet more thoughtful.

'Yes, I think I am,' she replied, with deliberation. 'The principle
seems a just one. Devotion to a really unselfish cause is rare, I am
afraid.'

'You have met Mr. Mutimer?

'Once. My brother made his acquaintance, and he called on us.'

'Did he explain his scheme to you in detail?'

'Not himself. Alfred has told me all about it. He, of course, is
delighted with it; he has joined what he calls the Union.'

'Are you going to join?' Hubert asked, smiling.

'I? I doubt whether they would have me.'

She laughed silverly, her throat tremulous, like that of a bird that
sings. How significant the laugh was! the music of how pure a freshet of
life!

'All the members, I presume,' said Hubert, 'are to be speedily enriched
from the Wanley Mines and Iron Works?'

It was jokingly uttered, but Adela replied with some earnestness, as if
to remove a false impression.

'Oh, that is quite a mistake. Mr. Eldon. There is no question of anyone
being enriched, least of all Mr. Mutimer himself. The workmen will
receive just payment, not mere starvation wages, but whatever profit
there is will be devoted to the propaganda.'

'Propaganda! Starvation wages! Ah, I see you have gone deeply into these
matters. How strangely that word sounds on your lips--propaganda!'

Adela reddened.

'Why strangely, Mr. Eldon?'

'One associates it with such very different speakers; it has such a
terrible cantin