ogether three sentences; he never
in his life had an idea. The man is a mere money-sack, propped up by
toadies and imbeciles. Has any other borough such a contemptible
representative? I perspire with shame and anger when I think of him!"

Dyce asked himself how much of this vehemence was genuine, how much
assumed to gratify their hostess. Was Mr. Breakspeare inwardly laughing
at himself and the company? But he seemed to be an excitable little
man, and possibly believed what he said.

"That's very interesting," Dyce remarked. "And how much longer will
Hollingford be content with such representation?"

"I think," replied Breakspeare, gravely, "I really think, that at the
next election we shall floor him. It is the hope of my life. For that I
toil; for that I sacrifice leisure and tranquillity and most of the
things dear to a man philosophically inclined. Can I but see Robb cast
down, I shall withdraw from the arena and hum (I have no voice) my
_Nunc dimittis_."

Was there a twinkle in the editor's eye as it met Lashmar's smile?
Constance was watching him with unnaturally staid countenance, and her
glance ran round the table.

"I'm only afraid," said Lady Ogram, "that he won't stand again."

"I think he will," cried Breakspeare, "I think he will. The ludicrous
creature imagines that Westminster couldn't go on without him. He hopes
to die of the exhaustion of going into the lobby, and remain for ever a
symbol of thick-headed patriotism. But we will floor him in his native
market-place. We will drub him at the ballot. Something assures me
that, for a reward of my life's labours, I shall behold the squashing
of Robb!"

Lady Ogram did not laugh. Her sense of humour was not very keen, and
the present subject excited her most acrimonious feelings.

"We must get hold of the right man," she exclaimed, with a glance at
Lashmar.

"Yes, the right man," said Breakspeare, turning his eyes in the same
direction. "The man of brains, and of vigour; the man who can inspire
enthusiasm; the man, in short, who has something to say, and knows how
to say it. In spite of the discouraging aspect of things, I believe
that Hollingford is ready for him. We leading Liberals are few in
number, but we have energy and the law of progress on our side."

Lashmar had seemed to be musing whilst he savoured a slice of
pine-apple. At Breakspeare's last remark, he looked up and said:

"The world moves, and always has moved, at the impulse of a ver