rade of the country
is not so bad as it might be, and will make an epigram on the importation
of sentimentality into politics. In plain words, Lord Redford, we, as a
party, are asleep to what is going on. One statesman has recognized it,
and proposed a startling and drastic remedy. We attack the remedy tooth
and nail, but we place forward no counter proposition. It is as though a
dying man were attended by two doctors, one of whom has prepared a remedy
which the other declines to administer without suggesting one of his own.
It is not a logical position. The medicine may not cure, but let the man
have his chance of life."

"Your simile," Lord Redford said, "assumes that the man is dying."

"I have seen the mark of death upon his face," Mannering answered. "The
men who are traitors to their country to-day are those who, healthy
enough themselves, talk causeless and shallow optimism which is fed alone
by their own prosperity. The doctrine of Christ is the care of others.
If you do not believe, the sick-room is open also to you; go there
unprejudiced, and with an open mind, and you will come away as I have
come away."

"Must we take it, then, Mannering," Lord Redford said, gravely, "that you
are prepared to support the administering of the medicine you spoke of?"

Mannering was silent for a moment.

"At least," he said, "I am not going to be amongst those who cry out
against it and offer nothing themselves. I am going to analyze that
medicine, and if I see a chance of life in it I shall say, let us run
a little risk, rather than stand by inactive, to look upon the face of
death. In other words, I become for the moment a passive figure in
politics so far as this question is concerned."

Lord Redford held out his hand.

"Let it go at that, Mannering," he said. "I believe that you will come
back to us. We shall be always glad of your support, but of course you
will understand that the position from to-day is changed. If you had
carried the standard, as we had hoped, the reward also was to have been
yours. We must elect one of ourselves to take your place. To put it
plainly, your defection now releases us from all pledges."

"I understand," Mannering answered. "It was scarcely ambition which
brought me back into politics, and I must work for the cause in which I
believe. If I am forced to take any definite action, I shall, of course,
resign my seat."

The door closed behind him. Borrowdean struck a match, and Lord Re