ss against which you
have written so splendidly; we are fighting the bourgeoisie, tooth and
nail. One thing is certainly written--that if Maraton here stands by my
side for the next seven years, Labour will have thrown off one, at
least, of the shackles that bind her. Isn't it better to release her
slowly and gradually, than to destroy her altogether by trying more
violent means?"

"Ah, who knows!" Selingman remarked enigmatically. "Who knows! . . .
And what of the rest of the evening? Are there more laws to be
made--more speeches?"

"Finished," Mr. Foley replied. "There is nothing more to be done.
That is why I am proposing that you two men go to your rooms, make
yourselves look as much like Philistines as you can, and come and pay
your respects to my niece. Lady Elisabeth is complaining a little about
you, Maraton," he went on. "You are a rare visitor."

"Lady Elisabeth is very kind," Maraton murmured.

"I wish that we could come," Selingman said. "If I lived here long, I
would bustle our friend Maraton about. To-day I have had him a little
way into the country, him and his pale-faced secretary, and I have
poured sunshine down upon them, and wine, and good things to eat. Oh,
they are very narrow, both of them, when they look out at life! Not so
am I. I love to feel the great thoughts swinging through my brain, but I
love also the good things of life. I love the interludes of careless
joys, I love all the pleasant things our bodies were meant to
appreciate. Those who do not, they wither early. I do not like pale
cheeks. Therefore, I wish that I could stay a little time with this
friend of ours. I would see that he paid his respects to all the
charming ladies who were ready to welcome him."

Mr. Foley laughed softly.

"What a marvellous mixture you would make, you two!" he observed. "Your
prose and Maraton's eloquence, your philosophy and his tenacity. So you
won't come? Well, I am disappointed."

"We go to see a friend of mine," Selingman announced. "We go to pay our
respects to a man famous indeed, a man who will make history in your
country."

Mr. Foley's expression suddenly changed. He leaned a little across the
table.

"Are you speaking of Maxendorf?"

Selingman nodded vigorously.

"Since you have guessed it--yes," he admitted. "We go to Maxendorf. I
take Maraton there. It will be a great meeting. We three--we represent
much. A great meeting, indeed."

Mr. Foley's face was troubled.

"Maxendorf o