s at
Constantinople in Norton's time."

"Then he talks Arabic?"

"A smattering. But his French is good."

"Speaking of Arabic, Charles, have you dipped into Averroes?"

"No, I have not. But the appointment would be an excellent one in
every way. Would you have the great goodness to arrange the matter in
my absence?"

"Certainly, Charles, certainly. Is there anything else that I can do?"

"No. I hope to be in the House by Monday."

"I trust so. We miss you at every turn. The Times will try to make
mischief over that Grecian business. A leader-writer is a terribly
irresponsible thing, Charles. There is no method by which he may be
confuted, however preposterous his assertions. Good-bye! Read Porson!
Goodbye!"

He shook the invalid's hand, gave a jaunty wave of his broad-brimmed
hat, and darted out of the room with the same elasticity and energy
with which he had entered it.

The footman had already opened the great folding door to usher the
illustrious visitor to his carriage, when a lady stepped from the
drawing-room and touched him on the sleeve. From behind the
half-closed portiere of stamped velvet a little pale face peeped out,
half-curious, half-frightened.

"May I have one word?"

"Surely, Lady Clara."

"I hope it is not intrusive. I would not for the world overstep the
limits----"

"My dear Lady Clara!" interrupted the Prime Minister, with a youthful
bow and wave.

"Pray do not answer me if I go too far. But I know that Lord Arthur
Sibthorpe has applied for Tangier. Would it be a liberty if I asked
you what chance he has?"

"The post is filled up."

"Oh!"

In the foreground and background there was a disappointed face.

"And Lord Arthur has it."

The Prime Minister chuckled over his little piece of roguery.

"We have just decided it," he continued.

"Lord Arthur must go in a week. I am delighted to perceive, Lady
Clara, that the appointment has your approval. Tangier is a place of
extraordinary interest. Catherine of Braganza and Colonel Kirke will
occur to your memory. Burton has written well upon Northern Africa. I
dine at Windsor, so I am sure that you will excuse my leaving you. I
trust that Lord Charles will be better. He can hardly fail to be so
with such a nurse."

He bowed, waved, and was off down the steps to his brougham. As he
drove away, Lady Clara could see that he was already deeply absorbed in
a paper-covered novel.

She pushed back the velvet