plied herself to the task of overcoming her daughter's weakness and
strengthening her in this overthrow of vanity and self-love. But to the
tennis-party they must go. Milord, too, was of opinion that they could
not absent themselves, and he had doubtless been able to arrive at a
very clear understanding with Lady Sarah and Lady Jane concerning the
future of Protestantism in the parish, for on the day of the
tennis-party no allusion was made to Lord Kilcarney's visit to
Brookfield; certain references to his marriage were, of course,
inevitable, but it was only necessary to question Mr. Adair on his views
concerning the new Coercion Act to secure for Mrs. Barton an almost
complete immunity from feminine sarcasm.

'I do not deny,' said Mr. Adair, 'that the Crimes Bill will restore
tranquillity, but I confess that I can regard no Government as
satisfactory that can only govern by the sword.'

These sentiments being but only very partially appreciated by the rest
of the company, the conversation came to an awkward pause, and Lady Jane
said as she left the room:

'I do not know a more able man on a county board than Mr. Adair. He took
honours at Trinity, and if he hasn't done as much since as we expected,
it is because he is too honourable, too conscientious, to ally himself
to any particular party.'

'That was always the way with Lord Dungory,' suggested Mrs. Gould.

Lady Jane bit her lip, and continued, without taking notice of the
interruption:

'Now, I hope Mr. Adair will not write a pamphlet, or express himself too
openly concerning the Crimes Act. The question of the day is the
organization of the Land Act, and I hear that Mr. Gladstone says it will
be impossible to get on without Mr. Adair's assistance.'

'Every six months,' said Mrs. Gould, 'it is given out that Gladstone
cannot go on without him; but somehow Gladstone does manage to get on
without him, and then we never hear any more about it.'

Lady Jane looked angry; and all wondered at Mrs. Gould's want of tact,
but at that moment the footman announced Messrs. Ryan and Lynch, and
Alice asked if she might go up to see Cecilia. More visitors arrived;
the Brennans, the Duffys, the five Honourable Miss Gores, and the
company adjourned to the tennis ground. Mr. Lynch was anxious to have
May for a partner, but she refused him somewhat pettishly, declaring at
the same time that she had given up tennis, and would never touch a
racquet again. Her continuous silenc