who return thanks to our lecturer, and as I fear that no other
woman present will be inclined to undertake this duty, I will make no
apology for trying to perform it. And that in very few words. Speaking
for myself, I cannot pretend to agree with the whole of Mr. Quarrier's
address; I think his views were frequently timid"--laughter and
hushing--"frequently timid, and occasionally quite too masculine. I
heard once of a lady who proposed to give a series of lectures on
'Astronomy from a Female Point of View'" (a laugh from two or three
people only), "and I should prefer to entitle Mr. Quarrier's lecture,
'Woman from a Male Point of View.' However, it was certainly
well-meaning, undoubtedly eloquent, and on the whole, in this time of
small mercies, something for which a member of the struggling sex may
reasonably be grateful. I wish, therefore, to add my voice to the
proposal that a vote of thanks be offered to our lecturer, with all
sincerity and all heartiness."

"A devilish good little speech!" Denzil murmured to himself, as the
applause and merriment broke forth.

The show of hands seemed to be universal. Denzil was enjoying an
enormous happiness. He had proved to himself that he could speak, and
henceforth the platform was his own. Now let the dissolution of
Parliament come with all convenient speed; he longed to begin the
political conflict.

Committee-men crowded about him, offering hands, and brimming with
facetious eulogy.

"You were on very thin ice now and then," said Mr. Liversedge. "You
made me shake in my shoes. But the skating was admirable."

"I never knew Mrs. Wade so complimentary," remarked old Mr. Toft. "I
expected half an hour's diatribe, 'the rapt oration flowing free,' as
Tennyson says. You have taught her good manners."

Down in the hall was proceeding an animated conversazione. In one group
stood the Mayor and his wife, Miss Mumbray, and Ivy Glazzard. Serena
was turning aside to throw a shawl over her shoulders, when Eustace
Glazzard stepped up.

"Pray let me assist you, Miss Mumbray." He placed the wrap. "I hope you
have been amused?"

"I have, really," answered the girl, with a glance towards Ivy, who had
heard her uncle's voice.

"You, Ivy," he continued, "are rather on Mrs. Wade's side, I think?"

"Oh, uncle--how _can_ you!"

Mr. Mumbray was looking on, trying to determine who the gentleman might
be. Glazzard, desirous of presentation to the Mayor, gave Ivy a glance,
and she, w