d the other ladies present were
partly shocked, partly amused, into silence.) "If so, then my father is
a victim to the habit of drink--and so is Mr. Welwyn-Baker himself!"

This was laying a hand upon the Ark. Mrs. Mumbray gave a little scream,
and several "Oh's!" were heard. Mr. Vialls shook his head and smiled
with grim sadness.

"My dear young lady, I fear we shall not understand each other. I am
far from being one of those who deny to ladies the logical faculty,
but"----

"But you feel that I am right, and that party prejudice has carried you
too far!" interrupted Serena, rising from her chair. "I had better go
away, or I shall say disagreeable things about the Conservatives. I am
not one of them, and I should like that to be understood."

She walked quietly from the room, and there ensued an awkward silence.

"Poor Serena!" breathed Mrs. Mumbray, with a deep sigh. "She has fallen
under the influence of Mrs. Quarrier--a most dangerous person. How such
things come to pass I cannot understand."

Mrs. Tenterden's deep voice chimed in:

"We must certainly guard our young people against Mrs. Quarrier. From
the look of her, no one could have guessed what she would turn out. The
idea of so young a woman going to people's houses and talking politics!"

"Oh, I think nothing of that!" remarked a lady who particularly wished
to remind the company that she was still youthful. "I canvass myself;
it's quite the proper thing for ladies to do. But I'm told she has
rather an impertinent way of speaking to every one who doesn't fall
down and worship her husband."

"Mrs. Lester," broke in the grave voice of the clergyman, "I trust you
will pardon me, but you have inadvertently made use of a phrase which
is, or should be, consecrated by a religious significance."

The lady apologized rather curtly, and Mr. Vialls made a stiff bow.

At this same moment the subject of their conversation was returning
home from a bold expedition into the camp of the enemy. Encouraged by
the personal friendliness that had been shown her in the family of Mr.
Samuel Quarrier, Lilian conceived and nourished the hope that it was
within her power to convert the sturdy old Tory himself. Samuel made a
joke of this, and entertained himself with a pretence of lending ear to
her arguments. This afternoon he had allowed her to talk to him for a
long time. Lilian's sweetness was irresistible, and she came back in
high spirits with report of progress. Denz