f Washington or Philadelphia or New York?"

Well, Lionel had no opinion to express on this point; on a previous
occasion he had wondered why these two augurs had not been content to
agree, seeing that the wide Atlantic rolled between their respective
spheres of operation.

"I have been favored," resumed Mr. Quirk, more blandly, "with a sight of
some portions of Lady Adela's new novel."

"Already?"

"Oh, it isn't nearly finished yet; but she has had the earlier chapters
set up in type, so that she could submit them to--to her particular
friends, in fact. You haven't seen them?" asked Mr. Quirk, lifting his
heavy and boiled-gooseberry eyes and looking at Lionel.

"Oh, no," was the answer. "My judgment is of no use to her; she is aware
of that. I hope you were pleased with what you saw of it. Her last novel
was not quite so successful as they had hoped, was it?"

"My dear fellow!" Mr. Quirk exclaimed, in astonishment (for he could not
have the power of the log-rollers called in question). "Not successful?
Most successful!--most successful! I don't know that it produced so much
money--but what is that to people in their sphere?"

"Perhaps not much," said Lionel, timidly (for what did he know about
such esoteric matters?). "I suppose the money they might get from a
novel would be of little consideration--but it would show that the book
had been read."

"And what, again, do they care for vulgar popularity?--the approbation
of the common herd--of the bovine-headed multitude? No, no, it is the
verdict of the polished world they seek--it is fame--_eclat_--it is
recognition from their peers. It may be only _un succes d'estime_--all
the more honorable! And I must say Lady Adela is a very clever woman;
the pains she takes to get 'Kathleen's Sweethearts' mentioned even now
are wonderful. Indeed, I propose to give her an additional hint or two
to-morrow. Of course you know ---- is doomed?" asked Mr. Quirk, naming a
famous statesman who was then very seriously ill.

"Really?"

"Oh, yes. Gout at the heart; hopeless complications; he can't possibly
last another ten days. Very well," continued Mr. Quirk, with much
satisfaction, as if Providence were working hand in hand with him, "I
mean to advise Lady Adela to send him a copy of 'Kathleen's
Sweethearts.' Now do you understand? No? Why, man, if there's any luck,
when he dies and all the memoirs come out in the newspapers, it will be
mentioned that the last book the deceased s