" Lashmar inquired, trying to speak
with his wonted calm, but betraying a good deal of nervousness.

"I haven't seen her. She was in her room when it came."

"I shouldn't wonder if she's sorry. She had set her mind on our beating
Robb at the poll. No one seems to know who will stand for the
Conservatives. I saw Breakspeare after midnight; he was in the wildest
excitement. He thinks it's good for us."

"Of course you'll see Lady Ogram to-day?"

"I shall come at lunch-time. That'll be best, won't it?"

May nodded. Her eyes kept turning in the direction of the house.

"How very kind of you to have come out so early!" said Dyce. "All night
I've been reproaching myself for giving you the trouble, and when I saw
the rain I didn't think for a moment you would be here. I'm delighted
to be able to talk to you before seeing anyone else. Don't you think
this event has happened very luckily? Whether I am elected or not,
it'll be easier for me to get out of my false position."

"Why? How?"

"In this way. During the excitement of the election, I shall find
opportunities of speaking more freely with Lady Ogram, and who knows
but I may bring her to see that the plan she made for me was not
altogether to my advantage? Miss Bride, of course, will speak, whenever
she has a chance, in the same sense--"

"Are you sure of that?" asked May, casting a furtive glance at him. She
was boring the path with the point of her slim umbrella.

"Do you feel any doubt?" asked Dyce in turn.

"I really can't judge. It's such a very curious situation--and," she
added, "Miss Bride is so peculiar."

"Peculiar?--I understand. You don't find her very communicative. But
I'm sure you'll make allowance for the difficulty of--"

"Oh, I make all allowances," interrupted May, with her smile of
superiority. "And of course Miss Bride's affairs don't in the least
concern me."

"Except I hope in so far as they concern me."

Dyce spoke with insinuating humour. Both hands resting on his umbrella
handle, he held himself very upright, and looked May steadily in the
face. She, as though challenged, straightened herself and met his look.

"I should be sorry to see your career spoilt," she said, with rather
excessive dignity. "But you will admit that you have acted, to say the
least, imprudently."

"It looks so. You think I should have had _more courage_. But you will
see that it's _not too late_."

Speaking, he watched her face. He saw her lips twitch, an