vening, she was in good spirits.

Mrs. Toplady, much observed and courted, but seemingly quite
indifferent to homage, watched the scene with her eyes of placid
good-humour, the roguish smile ever and again appearing on her lips.
She lost no opportunity of letting fall a laudatory word concerning
Dyce Lashmar. Her demeanour with humdrum persons was courteous
amiability almost in excess; to the more intelligent she behaved with a
humourous frankness which was very captivating. At a certain moment of
the evening, she found occasion to sit down by Constance Bride, and
Constance would have been more than human had she altogether resisted
the charm of that fine contralto modulating graceful compliments. Mrs.
Toplady had read the report of the social work at Shawe; it interested
her keenly; she could not sufficiently admire the philanthropic energy
which had been put into this undertaking--in so great a part, as she
heard, due to Miss Bride's suggestions.

"I am glad to hear from Lady Ogram," she said, "that there is a
probability of your being in town before long. If so, I hope you will
let me have a long talk with you, about all sorts of things. One of
them, of course, must be Mr. Lashmar's candidature."

Saying this, Mrs. Toplady beamed with kindness. Constance noted the
words and the look for future reflection. At this moment, she was
occupied with the news that Lady Ogram thought of going to London, no
hint of any such intention having before this reached her ear.

In the course of the afternoon, Lady Ogram had held private colloquy
with her guest from the brilliant world, a conversation more intimate
on her part than any that had ever passed between them. Such expansion
was absolutely necessary to the agitated old lady, and she deemed it
good fortune that a confidante in whom she put so much trust chanced to
be near her. Speaking of Lashmar, she mentioned his acquaintance with
Lord Dymchurch, and inquired whether Mrs. Toplady knew that modest peer.

"He is only a name to me," was the reply, "and I should rather like to
see him in the flesh. Mr. Lashmar must bring him to Pont Street--if he
can."

"That's what I'm a little doubtful about," said Lady Ogram. "I have
been thinking it might help us if a real live lord casually walked
about Hollingford with our candidate. We have to use means, you know."

The old lady grimaced her scorn, and the leader of Society smiled. One
thing Mrs. Toplady had learnt which interested