ill follow him
as he left the House. There were one or two others quite as anxious
as to his political career as any staunch old Liberal. At any rate
one other. He had promised that as soon as he could get away from the
House he would go to Belgrave Square and tell Lady Mabel Grex all
about it. When he reached the square it was past seven, but Lady
Mabel and Miss Cassewary were still in the drawing-room.

"There seemed to be a great deal of bustle, and I didn't understand
much about it," said the member.

"But you heard the speeches?" These were the speeches made on the
proposing and seconding of the address.

"Oh, yes;--Lupton did it very well. Lord George didn't seem to be
quite so good. Then Sir Timothy Beeswax made a speech, and then Mr.
Monk. After that I saw other fellows going away, so I bolted too."

"If I were a member of Parliament I would never leave it while the
House was sitting," said Miss Cassewary.

"If all were like that there wouldn't be seats for them to sit upon,"
said Silverbridge.

"A persistent member will always find a seat," continued the positive
old lady.

"I am sure that Lord Silverbridge means to do his duty," said Lady
Mabel.

"Oh yes;--I've thought a good deal about it, and I mean to try. As
long as a man isn't called upon to speak I don't see why it shouldn't
be easy enough."

"I'm so glad to hear you say so! Of course after a little time you
will speak. I should so like to hear you make your first speech."

"If I thought you were there, I'm sure I should not make it at all."

Just at this period Miss Cassewary, saying something as to the
necessity of dressing, and cautioning her young friend that there was
not much time to be lost, left the room.

"Dressing does not take me more than ten minutes," said Lady Mabel.

Miss Cassewary declared this to be nonsense, but she nevertheless
left the room. Whether she would have done so if Lord Silverbridge
had not been Lord Silverbridge, but had been some young man with whom
it would not have been expedient that Lady Mabel should fall in love,
may perhaps be doubted. But then it may be taken as certain that
under such circumstances Lady Mabel herself would not have remained.
She had quite realised the duties of life, had had her little
romance,--and had acknowledged that it was foolish.

"I do so hope that you will do well," she said, going back to the
parliamentary duties.

"I don't think I shall ever do much. I shall never be