generosity
between us. Don't fancy that all the forgiveness should come from _you_;
don't imagine that _I_ am not plaintiff as well as defendant." Then,
suddenly changing her tone to one of easy indifference, she said, "And
so your impression is, sir, that the Cabinet will undergo no change?"

She looked hurriedly round as she spoke, and saw Sir William Heathcote
coming rapidly towards them.

"Sir William, let me present to you Mr. Ogden, a name you must be
familiar with in the debates," said she, introducing them.

"I hope Lord Agincourt has not been correct in telling me that you are
pressed for time, Mr. Ogden. I trust you will give us at least a day."

"Not an hour, not a minute, sir. I mean," added he, ashamed of his
violence, "I have not an instant to spare."

"You 'll scarcely profit by leaving us this morning," resumed Sir
William. "The torrents between this and Massa are all full, and
perfectly impassable."

"Pray accept Sir William's wise counsels, sir," said she, with the
sweetest of all smiles.

A stern look, and a muttered something inaudible, was all his reply.

"What a dreary servitude must political life be, when one cannot bestow
a passing hour upon society!" said she, plaintively.

"Mr. Ogden could tell us that the rewards are worthy of the sacrifices,"
said Sir William, blandly.

"Are they better than the enjoyments of leisure, the delights of
friendship, and the joys of home?" asked she, half earnestly.

"By Heaven, madam!" cried Ogden, and then stopped; when Sir William
broke in,--

"Mrs. Morris is too severe upon public men. They are rarely called on to
make such sacrifices as she speaks of."

While thus talking, they had reached the terrace in front of the house,
where Agincourt was standing between May and Clara, holding a hand of
each.

"Are you ready?" asked Ogden, abruptly.

"Ready; but very sorry to go," said the boy, bluntly.

"May we not offer you some luncheon, Mr. Ogden? You will surely take a
glass of wine with us?"

"Nothing, sir, nothing. Nothing beneath the same roof with this woman,"
muttered he, below his breath; but her quick ears caught the words, and
she whispered,--

"An unkind speech, George,--most unkind!"

While Agincourt was taking his last affectionate farewells of the girls
and Sir William, Mr. Ogden had entered the carriage, and thrown himself
deeply back into a corner. Mrs. Morris, however, leaned over the door,
and looked calmly, steadfastly at