ime Minister, based
apparently on first-hand information, and involving indiscretions
personal and political of an unusually serious character. The wife of a
cabinet minister is freely named as the writer, and even if no violation
of cabinet secrecy is concerned, it is clear that the book outrages the
confidential relations which ought to subsist between a Premier and his
colleagues, if government on our English system is to be satisfactorily
carried on. The statements it makes with every appearance of authority
both as to the relations between Lord Parham and some of the most
important members of his cabinet, and as to the Premier's intentions
with regard to one or two of the most vital questions now before the
country, are calculated seriously to embarrass the government. We fear
the book will have a veritable <i>succes de scandale</i>."

"That fellow at least has done his best to kick the ball, damn him!"
thought Ashe, with contempt, as he thrust the paper into his pocket.

It was no more than he expected; but it put an end to all thoughts of a
more hopeful kind. He walked up and down the <i>Piazza</i> smoking, till
midnight, counting the hours till he could reach London, and revolving
the phrases of a telegram to be sent to his solicitor before starting.

Kitty made no sign or sound when he entered her room. Her fair head was
turned away from him, and all was dark. He could hardly believe that she
was asleep; but it was a relief to him to accept her pretence of it, and
to escape all further conversation. He himself slept but little. The
mere profundity of the Venetian silence teased him; it reminded him how
far he was from home.

Two images pursued him--of Kitty writing the book, while he was away
electioneering or toiling at his new office--and then, of his returns to
Haggart--tired or triumphant--on many a winter evening, of her glad rush
into his arms, her sparkling face on his breast.

Or again, he conjured up the scene when the MS. had been shown to
Darrell--his pretence of disapproval, his sham warnings, and the smile
on his sallow face as he walked off with it. Ashe looked back to the
early days of his friendship with Darrell, when he, Ashe, was one of the
leaders at Eton, popular with the masters in spite of his incorrigible
idleness, and popular with the boys because of his bodily prowess, and
Darrell had been a small, sickly, bullied colleger. Scene after scene
recurred to him, from their later relatio