r. Campion has shown us how seats are to
be won. We want fifty or sixty men at least to do the same thing for us
at the next election."

"There is no doubt," said Campion, "that with the present electorate we
might safely go to the poll at once. Liberalism, minus Bright, Forster,
and Goschen, and plus Alexandria and Phoenix Park, is no longer what it
was in 1880. I had the most distinct evidence of that at Vanebury."

"There was a considerable turnover of votes, I suppose?"

"Unquestionably, and amongst all classes."

"Yes, that is encouraging, so far. But in view of the new franchise, it
does not go nearly far enough. The idol must be overthrown."

"Who is to do it?" Sydney asked.

"That is hardly for me to say. But it will be done."

"The idol is doing it very fairly," said Willoughby, "on his own
account, especially in London. Wherever I go his popularity is decidedly
on the wane amongst his old supporters."

"Let that go on for a year or two," said Lord Montagu, "and then, when
the inevitable compact is made with Parnell, the great party which has
had its own way in England for so many years, at any rate up to 1874,
will crumble to pieces."

The talk was commonplace as beseemed the occasion; but Sir John's object
in bringing his men together was practically gained. Before the evening
was over, Lord Montagu was favorably impressed by Campion's ability and
shrewdness, whilst Sydney was more disposed from that time to regard
Plumley as one of the most likely aspirants for the leadership of his
party.

In the drawing-room, Nan had made herself as popular as her husband was
making himself in the dining-room. She was greatly improved by her
marriage, many of the matrons thought; she was more dignified and far
less abrupt than she used to be. She had always been considered pretty,
and her manners were gaining the finish that they had once perhaps
lacked; in fact, she had found out that Sydney set a high value on
social distinction and prestige; and, resolving to please him in this as
in everything else, she had set herself of late to soften down any
girlish harshness or brusquerie, such as Lady Pynsent used sometimes to
complain of in her, and to develop the gracious softness of manner which
Sydney liked to see.

"She will be quite the _grande dame_, by and by," said one lady,
watching her that night. "She has some very stately airs already, and
yet she is absolutely without affectation. Mr. Campion is a very