--till the next election."

Brooks shook his head.

"Henslow has rather a platform manner," he said, "but he is sound
enough. I believe that we are on the eve of important changes in our
social legislation, and I believe that Henslow will have much to say
about them. At any rate, he is not a rank hypocrite. We have shown him
things in Medchester which he can scarcely forget in a hurry. He will
go to Westminster with the memory of these things before him, with such
a cry in his ears as no man can stifle. He might forget if he
would--but he never will. We have shown him things which men may not
forget."

Lord Arranmore, who had now joined the party, leaned forward with his
arm resting lightly upon Lady Caroom's shoulder. An uneasy light
flashed in his eyes.

"There are men," he said, "whom you can never reach, genial men with a
ready smile and a prompt cheque-book, whose selfishness is an armour
more potent than the armour of my forefather there, Sir Ronald Kingston
of Arranmore. And, after all, why not? The thoroughly selfish man is
the only person logically who has the slightest chance of happiness."

"It is true," Molyneux murmured. "Delightfully true."

"Lord Arranmore is always either cynical or paradoxical," Sybil Caroom
declared. "He really says the most unpleasant things with the greatest
appearance of truth of any man I know."

"This company," Lord Arranmore remarked lightly, "is hostile to me. Let
us go and play pool."

Lady Caroom rose up promptly. Molyneux groaned audibly.

"You shall play me at billiards instead," she declared. "I used to give
you a good game once, and I have played a great deal lately. Ring for
Annette, will you, Sybil? She has my cue."

Sybil Caroom made room for Brooks by her side.

"Do sit down and tell me more about the election," she said. "Sydney is
sure to go to sleep. He always does after shooting."

"You shall ask me questions," he suggested. "I scarcely know what part
of it would interest you."

They talked together lightly at first, then more seriously. From the
other end of the hall came the occasional click of billiard balls. Lady
Caroom and her host were playing a leisurely game interspersed with
conversation.

"Who is this young Mr. Brooks?" she asked, pausing to chalk her cue.

"A solicitor from Medchester," he answered. "He was Parliamentary agent
for Henslow, and I am going to give him a management of my estates."

"He is quite a boy," she remarked.

"