"We read about your beautiful parties at Enton," she said, with a sigh.
"It is such a lovely place."

"I am glad you like it," he answered, absently. "I see your uncle
cannot find a four-wheeler. You must take my carriage. I am only going
a few steps."

Mary's eager protest was drowned in Selina's shrill torrent of thanks.
Lord Arranmore beckoned to his coachman, and the brougham, with its pair
of strong horses, drew up against the pavement. The footman threw open
the door. Selina entered in a fever for fear a cab which her father was
signalling should, after all, respond to his summons. Mr. Bullsom
found his breath taken away.

"We couldn't possibly take your lordship's carriage," he protested.

"I have only a few steps to go, Mr. Bullsom, and it would be a
kindness, for my horses are never more than half exercised. At 10:30
to-morrow then."

He stood bareheaded upon the pavement for a moment, and Selina's eyes
and smile had never worked harder. Mary leaned back, too angry to
speak. Selina and Mr. Bullsom sat well forward, and pulled both
windows down.

CHAPTER II

THE HECKLING OF HENSLOW

"The long and short of it is, then, Mr. Henslow, that you decline to
fulfil your pledges given at the last election?" Brooks asked, coldly.

"Nothing of the sort," Mr. Henslow declared, testily. "You have no
right to suggest anything of the sort."

"No right!"

"Certainly not. You are my agent, and you ought to work with me instead--"

"I have already told you," Brooks interrupted, '"that I am nothing of the
sort. I should not dream of acting for you again, and if you think a
formal resignation necessary, I will post you one to-morrow. I am one
of your constituents, nothing more or less. But as I am in some measure
responsible for your presence here, I consider myself within my rights
in asking you these questions."

"I'm not going to be hectored!" Mr. Henslow declared.

"Nobody wants to hector you! You gave certain pledges to us, and you
have not fulfilled one of them."

"They won't let me. I'm not here as an independent Member. I'm here as
a Liberal, and Sir Henry himself struck out my proposed question and
motion. I must go with the Party."

"You know quite well," Brooks said, "that you are within your rights in
keeping the pledges you made to the mass meeting at Medchester."

Henslow shook his head.

"It would be no good," he declared. "I've sounded lots of men about it.
I myself have not changed. I be