l personal collision with Cliffe. The government
stick to their case, but Ashe mentions everybody but Cliffe, and
confutes all arguments but his. And meanwhile, of course, the truth is
that Cliffe is the head and front of the campaign, and if he threw up
to-morrow, everything would quiet down."

"And Lady Kitty is flirting with him at this particular moment? Damned
bad taste and bad feeling, to say the least of it!"

"You won't find one of the Bristol lot consider that kind of thing when
their blood is up!" said the other. "You remember the tales of old Lord
Blackwater?"

"But is there really any truth in it? Or is it mere gossip?"

"Well, I hear that the behavior of both of them at Grosville Park last
week was such that Lady Grosville vows she will never ask either of them
again. And at Ascot, at Lord's, the opera, Lady Kitty sits with him,
talks with him, walks with him, the whole time, and won't look at any
one else. They must be asked together or neither will come--and
'society,' as far as I can make out, thinks it a good joke and is always
making plans to throw them together."

"Can't Lady Tranmore do anything?"

"I don't know. They say she is very unhappy about it. Certainly she
looks ill and depressed."

"And Ashe?"

His companion hesitated. "I don't like to say it, but, of course, you
know there are many people who will tell you that Ashe doesn't care
twopence what his wife does so long as she is nice to him, and he can
read his books and carry on his politics as he pleases!"

"Ashe always strikes me as the soul of honor," said the other,
indignantly.

"Of course--for himself. But a more fatalist believer in liberty than
Ashe doesn't exist--liberty especially to damn yourself--if you must and
will."

"It would be hard to extend that doctrine to a wife," said the other,
with a grave, uncomfortable laugh.

* * * * *

Meanwhile the man whose affairs they had been discussing walked home,
wrapped in solitary and disagreeable thought. As he neared the
Marlborough House corner a carriage passed him. It was delayed a moment
by other carriages, and as it halted beside him Ashe recognized Lady
M----, the hostess of the fancy ball, and a very old friend of his
parents. He took off his hat. The lady within recognized him and
inclined slightly--very slightly and stiffly. Ashe started a little and
walked on.

The meeting vividly recalled the ball, the <i>terminus a quo</i> ind