IAMENT. Immediately he forgot his pessimism and
became absorbed. Braithwaite had come out with the true story of his
life. He was calling on the seven million men who had seen service to
fight on in peace for the ideals for which they had fought in war. He
insisted that if they cast their votes together as one man, they could
control any election. If they combined with the patriot ex-soldiers of
other nations, they could control the world. He was out to smash
politics and the disastrous iniquity of political compromise. His aim
was to restore the comradeship and sharing which had enabled the old
front-line to stand fast. He was establishing a paper. He was
speechifying. He was to hold an immense mass meeting in the Albert
Hall----

Tabs laughed in sheer excitement. Here was one man at any rate who
wasn't content to miss his kingdom. He might have known it. He could see
Braithwaite's bleak look as clearly as if he stood before him. His
instinct was to join him and say to him, in the words of the coster,
"You and me was pals out there." He'd never lost an inch of trench.

"Bravo, Braithwaite!"

IV

"I beg your pardon, your Lordship."

Tabs looked up. The dignified image had returned and was standing in the
doorway, with his chin thrust out and his nose at a high angle with his
collar.

The man coughed deferentially. "If your Lordship will follow me----"

But at that moment he heard her calling from beneath the turret wall,
"Lord Taborley!"

Jumping to his feet, he hurried to the window and leant out. She was in
her riding habit, standing on the terrace above the rose-garden. "I've
just got back from my morning ride. I have to visit the kennels. I was
wondering whether you would accompany me."

He turned to the footman. "If you'll show me the way out to the terrace,
I can find Lady Dawn myself."

She had moved farther away to where the steps led down between the
rose-bushes. As he came towards her through the sunlight, she pretended
not to notice him, but stood meditatively flicking the dust from the toe
of her boot with her crop. Even when he joined her, she did not look up.
They descended the steps in silence. When they had turned along a path,
where no one could observe them, she raised her eyes. "I was afraid you
had left."

He smiled, unconsciously imitating her quietness. "And I, too, was
afraid. I was afraid you would not want me."

"Why not?" She stopped to pluck a bud in passing. "I should think