personality was too unusual to escape attention, and as his identity
became known, a good many passers-by looked at them curiously. Some one
sent word to Mr. Foley of their presence, and very soon he came in and
joined them.

"Six years ago this month, Mr. Selingman," the Prime Minister reminded
him, "we met at Madame Hermene's in Paris. You were often there in
those days."

Selingman nodded vigorously.

"I remember it perfectly," he said--"perfectly. It was a wonderful
evening. An English Cabinet Minister, the President of France,
Coquelin, Rostand, and I myself were there. A clever woman! She knew
how to attract. In England there is nothing of the sort, eh?"

"Nothing," Mr. Foley admitted. "I am going to beg you both to come on
to me to-night. My niece is receiving a few friends. But I can promise
you nothing of the same class of attraction, Mr. Selingman."

"We cannot come," Selingman declared, without hesitation. "I take my
friend Maraton somewhere. As we sit here, Mr. Foley, we have spoken of
politics. You are a great man. If any one can lift your country from
the rut along which she is travelling, you will do it. A Unionist Prime
Minister and you hold out the hand to Maraton! But what foresight!
What acumen! You see beyond the thunder-clouds the things that we have
seen. Not only do you see them, but you have the courage to follow your
convictions. What a mess you are making of Parties!"

Mr. Foley smiled.

"Ah, well, you see," he said, "I am no politician. It is the one claim
I have upon posterity that I am the first non-politician who ever became
Prime Minister."

"Excellent! Excellent!" Selingman murmured.

"Maraton, alas!" Mr. Foley continued, "is only half a convert. As yet
he wears his yoke heavily."

"A queer place for him," Selingman declared. "I looked down and saw him
there this evening. I listened to the dozen words he spoke. He seemed
to me rather like a lawyer, who, having a dull case, says what he has to
say and sits down. Does he do any real good here, Mr. Foley?"

"It is from these walls," the Prime Minister reminded him, "that the
laws of the country are framed."

Selingman shook his head slowly.

"Academically correct," he admitted, "and yet, walls of brick and stone
may crumble and split. The laws which endure come into being through
the power of the people."

"Don't throw cold water upon my compromise," Mr. Foley begged. "We are
hoping for great things. We are fighting the cla