he never would
again. The glow in his eyes made it difficult for her to meet them,
and they dismounted and went almost in silence to their usual seat.

"You know, of course, what happened last night," he said, with
ill-suppressed eagerness. "It has seemed like weeks and months since;
every hour a week. I have not slept all night with longing for the
morning."

He was looking at his very best: another man almost since they last
sat there; not good-looking, no one would ever call van Hert
good-looking, but muscular and lean, with an air of virility and force
always alluring. A man destined to be a leader in some way; one who
must carry others along with him, if only because of his enthusiasm
and fervour. The main point was, that he should carry them in a
useful, practical direction. And hitherto there had been no special
reason to hope this would be the case; it seemed more probable that,
for the sake of making a noise in the world and gaining a following,
he would identify himself with policies which the older and wiser men
left alone; not from any indifference to the influence he was likely
to wield, but because he was so full of warmth and intensity it must
find an outlet. Some men are like that, especially politicians. They
seem to be obsessed with the idea that they must make a hit somehow at
once and come to the front _now_. And so they are apt to seize upon
the first available policy likely to prove a good solid tub to stand
and shout on; whether it is a durable tub, or one certain to be to
their credit, is something of a side issue. The main point is a tub
big enough and strong enough to bear them while they make the
commotion and gain the hearing they are bent upon. And this spirit,
like most spirits, may have its uses; it is not entirely to be
deprecated. It may bring home very forcibly to the electors a weak
spot that had otherwise been overlooked. In listening to the shouter,
they may perceive how very entirely he is wrong; and, none the less,
make the useful discovery that he is a good shouter. This then becomes
the critical point. Having gained his hearing, will he condescend to
moderate his views and listen to a little wisdom from older and more
experienced men; or will he be obtuse enough to continue to stamp and
shout on his tub, for fear people will call him a turncoat, or a few,
who really do not matter, will leave off listening to him if he grows
less noisy? And it is then perhaps a great politician