I gave up the "Evening Pulpit," I left upon it a staff
of writers who are entitled to be regarded as knowing their business.'

'You given up the "Pulpit"?' asked Lady Carbury with astonishment,
readjusting her mind at once, so that she might perceive whether any
and if so what advantage might be taken of Mr Alf's new position. He
was no longer editor, and therefore his heavy sense of responsibility
would no longer exist;--but he must still have influence. Might he not
be persuaded to do one act of real friendship? Might she not succeed
if she would come down from her high seat, sink on the ground before
him, tell him the plain truth, and beg for a favour as a poor
struggling woman?

'Yes, Lady Carbury, I have given it up. It was a matter of course that
I should do so when I stood for Parliament. Now that the new member
has so suddenly vacated his seat, I shall probably stand again.'

'And you are no longer an editor?'

'I have given it up, and I suppose I have now satisfied the scruples
of those gentlemen who seemed to think that I was committing a crime
against the Constitution in attempting to get into Parliament while I
was managing a newspaper. I never heard such nonsense. Of course I
know where it came from.'

'Where did it come from?'

'Where should it come from but the "Breakfast Table"? Broune and I
have been very good friends, but I do think that of all the men I know
he is the most jealous.'

'That is so little,' said Lady Carbury. She was really very fond of Mr
Broune, but at the present moment she was obliged to humour Mr Alf.

'It seems to me that no man can be better qualified to sit in
Parliament than an editor of a newspaper,--that is if he is capable
as an editor.'

'No one, I think, has ever doubted that of you.'

'The only question is whether he be strong enough for the double work.
I have doubted about myself, and have therefore given up the paper. I
almost regret it.'

'I dare say you do,' said Lady Carbury, feeling intensely anxious to
talk about her own affairs instead of his. 'I suppose you still retain
an interest in the paper?'

'Some pecuniary interest;--nothing more.'

'Oh, Mr Alf,--you could do me such a favour!'

'Can I? If I can, you may be sure I will.' False-hearted, false-tongued
man! Of course he knew at the moment what was the favour Lady Carbury
intended to ask, and of course he had made up his mind that he would
not do as he was asked.

'Will you?' And Lady Carb