u wonderfully."

"My ideas interested the old lay as I thought perhaps they might. She's
very keen on political and social science. It happens, too, that she's
looking about for a Liberal candidate to contest Hollingford at the
next election."

Dyce added this information in a very quiet, matter-of-fact voice, his
eyes turned to the fire. Upon his hearer they produced no less an
effect than he anticipated.

"A Liberal candidate!" echoed Iris, a-quiver with joyous excitement.
"She wants you to go into Parliament!"

"I fancy she has that idea. Don't make a fuss about it; there's nothing
startling in the suggestion. It was probably her reason for inviting me
to Rivenoak."

"Oh, this is splendid--splendid!"

"Have the goodness to be quiet," said Dyce. "It isn't a thing to scream
about, but to talk over quietly and sensibly. I thought you had got out
of that habit."

"I'm very sorry. Don't be cross. Tell me more about it. Who is the
present member?"

Dyce gave an account of the state of politics at Hollingford, sketching
the character of Mr. Robb on the lines suggested by Breakspeare. As she
listened, Mrs. Woolstan had much ado to preserve outward calm; she was
flushed with delight; words of enthusiasm trembled on her lips.

"When will the election be?" she asked in the first pause.

"Certainly not this year. Possibly not even next There's plenty of
time."

"Oh, you are _sure_ to win! How can a wretched old Tory like that stand
against you? Go and make friends with everybody. You only need to be
known. How I should like to hear you make a speech! Of course I must be
there when you do. How does one get to Hollingford? What are the
trains?"

"If you leave Euston by the newspaper train to-morrow morning," said
Dyce, gravely, "you may be just in time to hear the declaration of the
poll.--Meanwhile," he added, "suppose we think for a moment of the
trifling fact that my income is nothing a year. How does that affect my
chances in a political career, I wonder?"

Mrs. Woolstan's countenance fell.

"Oh--but--it's impossible for that to stand in your way. You said
yourself that you didn't seriously trouble about it. Of course you will
get an income--somehow. Men who go in for public life always do--don't
they?"

She spoke timidly, with downcast eyes, a smile hovering about her lips.
Dyce did not look at her. He had thrust his hands into his trouser
pockets, and crossed his legs; he smiled frowningly at the fire.