host, why, he did what in him lay, and Mrs. Toplady was good
enough to remark, as he handed her into her carriage, 'A few more
dinners such as this, and all London will want to know the--' I won't
finish her sentence. Joking apart, I think my friends enjoyed
themselves, and they were certainly very encouraging with regard to our
project."

At the same hour, Mrs. Toplady, propped with pillows, was also writing
to Rivenoak.

"It came off very well indeed, and I see that we must take serious
account of Mr. Lashmar. You know that, of course, and I didn't doubt
your judgment, but intellectual distinction doesn't always go together
with the qualities necessary to a political career. Beyond a doubt, he
is our coming man! And now let me know when to expect you in London. I
look forward to the delight of seeing you, and of making the
acquaintance of your niece, who must be _very_ interesting. How lucky
you are to have discovered at the same time two such brilliant young
people! By the bye, I have not mentioned Miss Tomalin to any one; it
occurred to me that silence in this matter was perhaps discretion. If I
have been needlessly reticent, pray say so. Of course at a word from
you, I can speak to the right people, but possibly you had rather
nothing at all were said until the young lady has been seen. Myself, I
see no reason whatever for explanations."

As she closed this letter, Mrs. Toplady's smile all but became a
chuckle. Nothing had so much amused her for a twelvemonth past.

Lashmar had no reply from Rivenoak. This silence disappointed him. Ten
days having elapsed, he thought of writing again, but there arrived a
letter addressed in Miss Bride's hand, the contents a few lines in
tremulous but bold character, signed "A. Ogram." He was invited to
lunch, on the next day but one, at Bunting's Hotel, Albemarle Street.

This same afternoon, having nothing to do, he went to call upon Mrs.
Woolstan. It was his second visit since the restaurant dinner, and Iris
showed herself very grateful for his condescension. She regarded him
anxiously; made inquiries about his health; was he not working too
hard? His eyes looked rather heavy, as if he studied too late at night.
Dyce, assuming the Toplady smile, admitted that he might have been
rather over-zealous at his constitutional history of late; concession
to practicality had led him to take up that subject. In his thoughts,
he reproached himself for a freak of the previous evening,