edant, who stood
no chance whatever of being elected to Parliament. When questioned by
Lady Ogram, he inquired whether Mr. Lashmar had means.

"Oh, he has money enough," was the careless answer. "But its his brains
that we count upon."

"I never heard they went for muck in politics," said Mr. Kerchever.

CHAPTER X

The dinner went off very well indeed.

It was not merely her animus against Mr. Robb which supported Lady
Ogram's belief in the future of the Liberals at Hollingford. A certain
restiveness could be noted in the public mind, heretofore so obedient
to the long Tory tradition. Mr. Breakspeare's paper certainly had an
increasing sale, and an attention to Mr. Robb in public gatherings
other than political was not so sure of cordial response as formerly.
This might only imply a personal dissatisfaction with the borough's
representative, who of late had been very visibly fossilising; it would
be difficult to explain a marked reaction in Hollingford against the
tendencies of the country at large. Still, a number of more or less
active and intelligent persons had begun to talk of contesting the Tory
seat, and with these the lady at Rivenoak held active communication.
They gathered about her this evening; enjoyed the excellent meal
provided for them; inspected Mr. Dyce Lashmar, and listened attentively
even to his casual remarks. Mr. Lashmar might or might not prove to be
the candidate of their choice; there was plenty of time to think about
that; in the meantime, no one more suitable stood before them, and,
having regard to Lady Ogram's social authority, considerable from one
point of view, they were very willing to interest themselves in a man
of whom she thought so highly. Very little was definitely known about
him. He was understood to be a gentleman of means and erudite leisure,
nor did his appearance conflict with this description. Now and then
Dyce's talk had an impressive quality; he spoke for the most part in
brief, pregnant sentences, which seemed the outcome of solid thought
and no little experience. Constance Bride, observing him studiously,
often admired his grave, yet easy, bearing, his facile, yet never
careless speech. Herself in doubt as to his real weight, whether as man
or politician, she carefully watched the impression he produced on
others; on the whole it seemed to be favourable, and once or twice she
caught a remark decidedly eulogistic. This pleased her. Like everybody
else this e