Liberal candidate at the next election."

"Oh, so you have found one?"

"Of course I have. Didn't I write to tell you? A lot of people dine
here this evening to meet him. Perhaps you could stay over night? Yes,
now I come to think of it, I should like you to dine with us. You shall
go to Northampton to-morrow. Write to Rooky this afternoon." Lady Ogram
grew sportive. "Prepare him. Come along, now, to lunch; you look
hungry."

"Just one word. You are quite sure it will be wise to bring this young
lady at once to Rivenoak?"

"You say she knows how to behave herself!"

"Certainly. But the change in her position will be rather sudden, don't
you think? And--if I may venture--how can you be sure that Miss Tomalin
will recommend herself to you?"

"Isn't she of my own blood?" cried Lady Ogram, in a high croak of
exasperation. "Isn't she my brother's grandchild--the only creature of
my own blood living?"

"I merely urge a little prudence--"

"Is the girl a fool?"

"I have no reason to think so. But she has led a quiet, provincial
life--"

"Come and eat!" cried Lady Ogram. "We'll talk again afterwards."

Mrs. Toplady joined them in the dining-room, as she seated herself.
"Everybody's late to-day. Mr. Kerchever--Mr. Lashmar I want you to know
each other. Mr. Lashmar, what have you been doing all the morning? Why,
of course you had a drive with me--I had forgot ten! Do sit down and
let us eat. If everyone's as hungry as I am!"

For all that, she satisfied her appetite with one or two mouthfuls, and
talked on in a joyously excited strain, to the astonishment of
Constance, who saw that Mr. Kerchever must have brought some very
important news. Lashmar, also exhilarated, kept up conversation with
Mrs. Toplady. It was a vivacious company, Miss Bride being the only
person who spoke little. She was commonly silent amid general talk, but
her eyes travelled from face to face, reading, commenting.

Mr. Kerchever consented to stay over night. In the afternoon he had a
stroll with Lashmar, but they did not much enjoy each other's society;
Dyce took no interest whatever in sports or games, and the athletic
lawyer understood by politics a recurring tussle between two parties,
neither of which had it in its power to do much good or harm to the
country; of philosophy and science (other than that of boxing) he knew
about as much as the woman who swept his office. Privately, Mr.
Kerchever opined that this young man was a conceited p