y no
means dull in practical matters, he was resolutely letting the waters
bear him on, holding the tiller firmly, without perceiving that he was in
the vortex of a whirlpool. Indeed, his common sense continually impelled
him, against the sort of reactionaryism of which his son Miltoun had so
much, to that easier reactionaryism, which, living on its spiritual
capital, makes what material capital it can out of its enemy, Progress.

He drove the car himself, shrewd and self-contained, sitting easily, with
his cap well drawn over those steady eyes; and though this unexpected
meeting of the Cabinet in the Whitsuntide recess was not only a nuisance,
but gave food for anxiety, he was fully able to enjoy the swift smooth
movement through the summer air, which met him with such friendly
sweetness under the great trees of the long avenue. Beside him, little
Ann was silent, with her legs stuck out rather wide apart. Motoring was
a new excitement, for at home it was forbidden; and a meditative rapture
shone in her wide eyes above her sudden little nose. Only once she
spoke, when close to the lodge the car slowed down, and they passed the
lodge-keeper's little daughter.

"Hallo, Susie!"

There was no answer, but the look on Susie's small pale face was so
humble and adoring that Lord Valleys, not a very observant man, noticed
it with a sort of satisfaction. "Yes," he thought, somewhat
irrelevantly, "the country is sound at heart!"

CHAPTER II

At Ravensham House on the borders of Richmond Park, suburban seat of the
Casterley family, ever since it became usual to have a residence within
easy driving distance of Westminster--in a large conservatory adjoining
the hall, Lady Casterley stood in front of some Japanese lilies. She was
a slender, short old woman, with an ivory-coloured face, a thin nose, and
keen eyes half-veiled by delicate wrinkled lids. Very still, in her grey
dress, and with grey hair, she gave the impression of a little figure
carved out of fine, worn steel. Her firm, spidery hand held a letter
written in free somewhat sprawling style:

MONKLAND COURT,
"DEVON.
"MY DEAR, MOTHER,

"Geoffrey is motoring up to-morrow. He'll look in on you on the way if
he can. This new war scare has taken him up. I shan't be in Town myself
till Miltoun's election is over. The fact is, I daren't leave him down
here alone. He sees his 'Anony