m. But he did
accept a great many; indeed, it might be said that he had to accept a
great many. Had he had his own way, he might, perhaps, have buried
himself in Hampstead, and enjoyed the company of his aunt and the mild
society of Mr. Gilbert Sarrasin. But the impetuous, indomitable Hamilton
would hear of no inaction. He insisted copying a famous phrase of Lord
Beaconsfield's, that the key of Gloria was in London. 'We must make
friends,' he said; 'we must keep ourselves in evidence; we must never
for a moment allow our claim to be forgotten, or our interests to be
ignored. If we are ever to get back to Gloria we must make the most of
our inevitable exile.'

The Dictator smiled at the enthusiasm of his young henchman. Hamilton
was tremendously enthusiastic. A young Englishman of high family, of
education, of some means, he had attached himself to Ericson years
before at a time when Hamilton, fresh from the University, was taking
that complement to a University career--a trip round the world, at a
time when Ericson was just beginning that course of reform which had
ended for the present in London and Paulo's Hotel. Hamilton's enthusiasm
often proved to be practical. Like Ericson, he was full of great ideas
for the advancement of mankind; he had swallowed all Socialisms, and had
almost believed, before he fell in with Ericson, that he had elaborated
the secret of social government. But his wide knowledge was of service;
and his devotion to the Dictator showed itself of sterling stuff on that
day in the Plaza Nacional when he saved his life from the insurgents. If
the Dictator sometimes smiled at Hamilton's enthusiasm, he often allowed
himself to yield to it. Just for the moment he was a little sick of the
whole business; the inevitable bitterness that tinges a man's heart who
has striven to be of service, and who has been misunderstood, had laid
hold of him; there were times when he felt that he would let the whole
thing go and make no further effort. Then it was that Hamilton's
enthusiasm proved so useful; that Hamilton's restless energy in keeping
in touch with the friends of the fallen man roused him and stimulated
him.

He had made many friends now in London. Both the great political parties
were civil to him, especially, perhaps, the Conservatives. Being in
power, they could not make an overt declaration of their interest in
him, but just then the Tory Party was experiencing one of those
emotional waves which at t