in his, held them for just one instant, and then let
them go.

'I accept the friendship,' he said, with a quiet smile, 'and I
reciprocate it with all my heart.'

Helena was already growing a little alarmed at her own impulsiveness and
effusiveness. But there was something in the Dictator's quiet, grave,
and protecting way which always seemed to reassure her. 'He will be sure
to understand me,' was the vague thought in her mind.

Assuredly the Dictator now thought he did understand her. He felt
satisfied that her enthusiasm was the enthusiasm of a generous girl's
friendship, and that she thought about him in no other way. He had
learned to like her companionship, and to think much of her fresh,
courageous intellect, and even of her practical good sense. He had no
doubt that he should find her advice on many things worth having. His
battlefield just now and for some time to come must be in London--in the
London of finance and diplomacy.

'Come and sit down again,' the Dictator said; 'I will tell you all I
know--and I don't know much. I do not mean to give up, Miss Langley. I
am not a man who gives up--I am not built that way.'

'Of course I knew,' Helena exclaimed triumphantly; 'I knew you would
never give up. You couldn't.'

'I couldn't--and I do not believe I ought to give up. I am sure I know
better how to provide for the future of Gloria than--than--well, than
Gloria knows herself--just now. I believe Gloria will want me back.'

'Of course she will want you back when she comes to her senses,' Helena
said with sparkling eyes.

'I don't blame her for having a little lost her senses under the
conditions--it was all too new, and I was too hasty. I was too much
inspired by the ungoverned energy of the new broom. I should do better
now if I had the chance.'

'You will have the chance--you must have it!'

'Do you promise it to me?' he asked with a kindly smile.

'I do--I can--I know it will come to you!'

'Well, I can wait,' he said quietly. 'When Gloria calls me to go back to
her I will go.'

'But what do you mean by Gloria? Do you want a _plebiscite_ of the whole
population in your favour?'

'Oh no! I only mean this, that if the large majority of the people whom
I strove to serve are of opinion they can do without me--well, then, I
shall do without them. But if they call me I shall go to them, although
I went to my death and knew it beforehand.'

'One may do worse things,' the girl said proudly, 'than g