Lord Reckage entered and showed some intention of joining in the
conversation, they appeared by a silent and common consent to ignore his
approach. He turned to the hall porter, gave him some instructions in a
low voice and passed on, livid with annoyance, to the library beyond.

"Hullo!" exclaimed Aumerle, "that was Reckage."

"I know it," said Randall Hatchett.

"Why didn't you speak to him?" asked Aumerle.

"Because," said Bradwyn, "our good Hatchett is not so sure of himself
that he can afford to be civil even to a President out of fashion!"

No one smiled except Hatchett himself, because each one felt it was
unwise to encourage Bradwyn's peculiar humour.

"I would have spoken to Reckage," said Ullweather, with a superior air,
"but I have never felt the same toward him since he threw over Orange
at the time of his election."

"And several other old friends more recently!" observed the injudicious
Bradwyn.

"I don't speak of myself," said Ullweather, "but Orange was unusually
devoted to the fellow; and all I wish to make clear is this, that when
Reckage ever said or did the right thing in times past, the credit was
solely due to Orange. He weeded prophecy from his speeches, and rudeness
from his jokes. Great services, I assure you!"

"True," said Randall Hatchett, "for there is nothing more fatal to a
political career than brilliant impromptus and spirited orations. A
statesman's words, like butcher's meat, should be well weighed."

"You have so many prescriptions for success," said Bradwyn, "that I
wonder you ain't President yourself."

"Reckage has taken us all in," said Ullweather.

"By no means," said Bradwyn. "I maintained from the first that he was
overrated. His genial manner--his open-hearted smile! Men always smile
at creditors whom they don't intend to pay."

"I foretold the whole situation," observed Penborough. "I said, 'Let
Reckage once get full power, and he will fool us all.' He affects not to
be ambitious, and to prefer moral science to immoral politics. I have no
faith in these active politicians who make long speeches to the public,
and assure their friends, in very short notes, that they prefer
trout-fishing to the cares of State! There is but one man who can save
the society now."

Bradwyn, Hatchett, and Ullweather looked up, each armed with a modest
and repudiating smile.

"Who?" asked Hatchett, looking down.

"Robert Orange," said Penborough.

"Probably," replied Hatchett,