nd Alice, with a cry of dismay, sped to her
room. She knew that her brother was to lunch at home to-day, and Richard
was terrible in the matter of punctuality.

As Soon as the meal was over Alice hastened back to her low chair in the
drawing-room. Richard and his wife went together into the garden.

'What do you think Rodman's been advising me this morning?' Mutimer
said, speaking with a cigar in his mouth. 'It's a queer idea; I don't
quite know what to think of it. You know there'll be a general election
some time next year, and he advises me to stand for Belwick.'

He did not look at his wife. Coming to a garden-seat, he put up one foot
upon it, and brushed the cigar ash against the back. Adela sat down; she
had not replied at once, and was thoughtful.

'As a Socialist candidate?' she asked, when at length he turned his eyes
to her.

'Well, I don't know. Radical rather, I should think. It would come to
the same thing, of course, and there'd be no use in spoiling the thing
for the sake of a name.'

Adela had a Japanese fan in her hand; she put it against her forehead,
and still seemed to consider.

'Do you think you could find time for Parliament?'

'That has to be thought of, of course; but by then I should think we
might arrange it. There's not much that Rodman can't see to.'

'You are inclined to think of it?'

Adela's tone to her husband was not one of tenderness, but of studious
regard and deference. She very seldom turned her eyes to his, but there
was humility in her bent look. If ever he and she began to speak at the
same time, she checked herself instantly, and Mutimer had no thought
of giving her precedence. This behaviour in his wife struck him as
altogether becoming.

'I almost think I am,' he replied. 'I've a notion I could give them an
idea or two at Westminster. It would be news to them to hear a man say
what he really thinks.'

Adela smiled faintly, but said nothing.

'Would you like me to be in Parliament?' Richard asked, putting down his
foot and leaning back his head a little.

'Certainly, if you feel that it is a step gained.'

'That's just what I think it would be. Well, we must talk about it
again. By-the-by, I've just had to send a fellow about his business.'

'To discharge a man?' Adela asked, with pain.

'Yes. It's that man Rendal; I was talking about him the other day,
you remember. He's been getting drunk; I'll warrant it's not the first
time.'

'And you really must sen