s on the gravel outside gave her a
start of something like pleasure. Among the old friends there was no one
now she cared so much to see as Sir James Chide. Sir James had lately
left Parliament and politics, and had taken a judgeship. She understood
that he had lost interest in politics after and in consequence of John
Ferrier's death; and she knew, of course, that he had refused the
Attorney-Generalship, on the ground of the treatment meted out to his
old friend and chief. During the month of Oliver's second election,
moreover, she had been very conscious of Sir James's hostility to her
son. Intercourse between him and Tallyn had practically ceased.

Since the accident, however, he had been kind--very kind.

The door opened, and Sir James was announced. She greeted him with a
tremulous and fluttering warmth that for a moment embarrassed her
visitor, accustomed to the old excess of manner and dignity, wherewith
she kept her little world in awe. He saw, too, that the havoc wrought by
age and grief had gone forward rapidly since he had seen her last.

"I am afraid there is no better news of Oliver?" he said, gravely, as he
sat down beside her.

She shook her head.

"We are in despair, Nothing touches the pain but morphia. And he has
lost heart himself so much during the last fortnight."

"You have had any fresh opinion?"

"Yes. The last man told me he still believed the injury was curable, but
that Oliver must do a great deal for himself. And that he seems
incapable of doing. It is, of course, the shock to the nerves, and--the
general--disappointment--"

Her voice shook. She stared into the fire.

"You mean--about politics?" said Sir James, after a pause.

"Yes. Whenever I speak cheerfully to him, he asks me what there is to
live for. He has been driven out of politics--by a conspiracy--"

Sir James moved impatiently.

"With health he would soon recover everything," he said, rather shortly.

She made no reply, and her shrunken faded look--as of one with no energy
for hope--again roused his pity.

"Tell me," he said, bending toward her--"I don't ask from idle
curiosity--but--has there been any truth in the rumor of Oliver's
engagement to Miss Drake?"

Lady Lucy raised her head sharply. The light came back to her eyes.

"She was engaged to him, and three weeks after his accident she threw
him over."

Sir James made a sound of amazement. Lady Lucy went on:

"She left him and me, barely a fortnight after