apt to do ridiculous things, throw
up their career, get into a public scandal, run away with somebody or
something. Not that there should be any fear of such a thing where Mr.
Bingham is concerned, for he has a charming wife, and they say that she
is a great help to him. Why, there is the division bell. Good-bye, Mrs.
Everston, I will come back to see you out."

"Good-bye," Beatrice answered, "and in case I should miss you, I wish
to say something--to thank you for your kindness in helping me to get in
here to-night. You have done me a great service, a very great service,
and I am most grateful to you."

"It is nothing--nothing," he answered. "It has been a pleasure to help
you. If," he added with some confusion, "you would allow me to call some
day, the pleasure will be all the greater. I will bring Mr. Bingham with
me, if you would like to know him--that is, if I can."

Beatrice shook her head. "I cannot," she answered, smiling sadly. "I
am going on a long journey to-morrow, and I shall not return here.
Good-bye."

In another second he was gone, more piqued and interested about this
fair unknown than he had been about any woman for years. Who could she
be? and why was she so anxious to hear the debate? There was a mystery
in it somewhere, and he determined to solve it if he could.

Meanwhile the division took place, and presently the members flocked
back, and amidst ringing Ministerial cheers, and counter Opposition
cheers, the victory of the Government was announced. Then came the usual
formalities, and the members began to melt away. Beatrice saw the leader
of the House and several members of the Government go up to Geoffrey,
shake his hand, and congratulate him. Then, with one long look, she
turned and went, leaving him in the moment of his triumph, that seemed
to interest him so little, but which made Beatrice more proud at heart
than if she had been declared empress of the world.

Oh, it was well to love a man like that, a man born to tower over
his fellow men--and well to die for him! Could she let her miserable
existence interfere with such a life as his should be? Never, never!
There should be no "public scandal" on her account.

She drew her veil over her face, and inquired the way from the House.
Presently she was outside. By one of the gateways, and in the shadow of
its pillars, she stopped, watching the members of the House stream past
her. Many of them were talking together, and once or twice she