surprised at seeing Leicester there, but naturally said nothing. As for Leicester, his interest in the gathering seemed to evaporate at Purvis's entrance. He suddenly became rather m

the men adjourned to the library. Mr. Lowry seemed rather annoyed at Purvis's prese

s to-night, Leices

dee

re not willing for her

r did no

not going on wit

hy am I

et her know your

aracter is k

t-b

ee that you do," and he gave the young man a

on't like it. Still, there's no danger-that is

ou will

rsation; as for the rest-well, there w

other a look whic

o-called vices soon become public property. Of cou

shoul

et her know all the world

, Leic

rth of your indignation; besides, I only wanted to tell

mean

scope. I say, Purvis, I imagine Mr. Castlemaine and Mr. Lowry wish to talk with me about a private matter. I'm

as simply delighted. As he declared afterwards, it was quite an intellectual treat to talk with such a man. Besides, he made the conversation so interesting by introducing matters which appealed to John Castlemaine's tastes, that he felt like insisting on him

an ordinarily amused him, "my daughter ought to hear that, and we might a

o the grate, and having finished

urvis that he was at liberty to make known his character, and yet he keenly resented his communication. There had been times when he had taken pleasure in his peculiar reputation; but to-day everything seemed different. Still Leicester was not a man who shrunk from a difficult situation; indeed

ess in your constituency down in D

g ourselves hugely down

t find it fun to nurse a

replied Leicester. "When one regards the whole business in the same l

nment of my country in that

iffer. Politics are just what you make them,

try. He sacrifices his time and money for the welfare of his fellow-creatures. At least he should.

ely as I do at so-called serious drama. One can so easily see the make-up of the whole business. The passio

are different

pectators. When comedy fails, they try tragedy. Politics are pretty much the same. Politicians put pieces on the stage to amuse the spectators, and th

cs the actors d

t, at least not many. But they are inspi

d t

ts to lift his head above the crowd, he wants to be mentioned in the newspapers, he wants to be singled out as he passes along the stage of life. Does the actor care a fig

wry, "it wouldn't do for the people down

fool them. Besides, is it not all a part of one great show? We are puppets on the stage

for such a purpose. I know it may sound like boasting; but I w

speaker tried to answer him, and failed. The man continued his interruption. At last some one shouted, 'Don't trouble about him, he hasn't got a vote.' Immediately this young, high-souled politician said, 'I came to speak to electors, not to men who have no vote, and therefore no s

ted to his face and he shifted in his seat. Moreover, he saw that th

he great stage of life while the audience cheers or groans,

t sure whether Leicester was serious or only joking, "are you not forgetting that there are conscien

form of selfishness

sordid motives;-that you regard politics as only a game to play, in order to win

simple truth that I am honest. I don't profess to

ent Government. You declared it to be the bounden duty of the country to thrust it from pow

y. I would for the same reason hoot an orchestra off a platform for making discords. To begin with, the present Government have a very poor piece, and, secondly, they play it v

w is very interesting to me

comes to think of it, all parts played seriously, especially when a gre

it you are ac

acting a part?"

amusement of

h purposes? Els

e of his strong personality. She could not help feeling that he was the dominating influence in the room. She did not believe in the opinions to which he had given

id Charles Lamb act a part when he sacrificed the woman he loved and the lif

sed to be praised since he

t of the praise at t

ng exception which proves the rule," said Le

ke, as if to remind him that

ent, so contrite; besides, he has gladdened the world by his bright, cheery outlook on life. Even from your standpoint, the man who

he doctor who exposes a disease, and fights

seems to me that the greatest physician is he who teaches us to live such healthy lives that the diseases f

igorous health, Miss Castlemaine,

ntal and moral, as well as physical," she replied. "T

. As for Leicester, he gave her a quick glance of admiration. He was glad that Winfield had mentioned her. Here at least was a woman better worth winning than any he had ever seen. Aga

ing my opinions," he said to himself, and th

even Purvis himself was well-nigh carried away by his cleverness. He spoke well concerning current books and current events. He compared notes with Olive concerning places both had visited and books which both had read. He exerted himself to be agreeable, and he succeeded vastly. Perhaps the atmosphere of the house helpe

? Both were interesting-almost fascinating. He was clever when the pessimistic mood was upon him; he was far more clever when he becam

ose truths by which, to Olive, all the opinions of men must be tested; but of other things he spoke freely and well. Moreover, the girl helped him. Her straightforwardness, her freedo

saying that Mr. Lowry's m

p to town by train?"

I might as well use it," replied Mr. Lowry;

nd a pair of good horses. I am really sorry you have to go so soon," he said, turning

e heard John Castlemaine say this, but

asked Leicester. "If you are, I'm sure M

a word with Mr. Castlemaine before I go. We have all been so interested in Mr

eicester was a

ning, Miss Castlemaine," he said, "one

up at him i

ie. Why I told it I don't know. It slipped from my tongue before I realised what I was saying. I have not found life int

" said Olive quietly; nevertheless she wond

I say is perfectly true. I do not find the

est not to ac

t a matter

oose to play a part, or he

thing,"

, I do not

t evening. When one has very few of them

nced her that he meant what he said. She reflected that

king a question," he went o

eedi

ting. I wish I k

ng to pla

is; but the words escaped h

n one d

the spectators, inste

d almost

d. He held out his hand. "Good-night, Miss Cas

all, where Mr. Lowry

rvis r

ng with Mr.

t he was the subject of the conv

stlemaine in a very few words, then he s

aid Mr. Castlemaine. "He s

shook h

not th

s," said Purvis. "That is ge

of his joking," said John Ca

was not

mean

He does not believe in the commonplaces of Chris

maine look

pity for the poor

ot the worst,

N

ul pity, but he'

he struck me as a man w

urvis's conversation, and he moved into

wiftly along the now almost empty roads, and presently stood outside

isky, which he drank quickly. It seemed as though his abstinence at

presently, "you've t

taken the f

er, give it up-

hrugged his

succeeded i

t I am not wo

w that y

ter la

to whisky the mo

knows all

ow

and you told h

s eyes

ook advantage of my permission. And you told her all the rest, too. Oh, I know you well enough for that, and o

an the

, to quote your Bible, it were better that a millstone were hang

re the savage glea

that-that you are going o

t he spoke like a man in anger. "I am going on, and-and

is a promise," said P

eicester mockingly. "I thin

e been almost frightened at the loo