and he shuddered at
this exhibition of bad taste. Lord Garrow had been unremitting in his
personal inquiries, but Sara did not come till she received the
following from Orange--

"He is conscious, and he asks to see you."

She reached the room as the Bishop of Hadley was coming out; tears were
in his eyes and he did not notice the young lady who glided past him as
lightly as a shadow. Poor Reckage recognised her step, however, and
pulled the sheet half over his face lest she should be startled at its
harsh disfigurements. She threw off her hat and veil and fell on her
knees by the side of his bed.

"Speak to me, Beauclerk, speak to me; it is I--Sara."

"I know you," he whispered; "you are the one I loved the best. But I
haven't been true to anybody. I only wish to goodness I had another
chance. I'd be different--I'd show 'em ... I never meant ..." he took
her hand, her beautiful, tapering hand loaded with sapphires ... "like
your eyes, old girl ... don't cry ... and I say, I posted that ...
letter after all ... to please you. Are you ... pleased?"

He spoke no more.

* * * * *

Action is the essence of political parties, and the members of the
League had the ink barely dry on their telegrams of condolence before
they despatched others, summoning a special meeting for the
consideration of future steps. Orange, who was regarded as a man devoid
of ambition, was unanimously elected a member of the Executive
Committee; he was a good speaker, he could mind his own business, he
never pulled wires, and it was his rule to step aside when others behind
him showed any disposition to push toward the front. On the evening of
the day on which Lord Reckage died, Aumerle and Ullweather called at
Vigo Street as a preliminary move in their new plan of campaign. But
Robert was not there. He sat all that night, a solitary watcher, in the
chamber of death. His affection for his old pupil was something stronger
than a brother's love. Whether he saw him as others saw him, or whether
he was aware of certain pleasant traits in that uncertain character
which escaped the common run of dull observers, his devotion had never
wearied in all the years of their acquaintanceship.

The old housekeeper crept into the room when the bereaved family had
retired, and she was on her way to bed.

"You and me, sir, always got on with his lordship," she said, looking
down, with Robert, at the still, marred face. "We unde