r I met him. Since
then, some space of time has intervened, and though it has made no change
in him, I hope it has dealt otherwise with me. I have at least reached the
point in life where men not only have convictions but avow them.'

'Come, come; I can remember what precious good-luck you called it to make
his acquaintance,' cried Dick, half angrily.

'I don't deny it. I was very nigh drowning at the time, and it was the
first plank I caught hold of. I am very grateful to him for the rescue; but
I owe him more gratitude for the opportunity the incident gave me to see
these men in their intimacy--to know, and know thoroughly, what is the
range, what the stamp of those minds by which states are ruled and masses
are governed. Through Walpole I knew his master; and through the master I
have come to know the slipshod intelligences which, composed of official
detail, House of Commons' gossip, and _Times_' leaders, are accepted by us
as statesmen. And if--' A very supercilious smile on Nina's mouth arrested
him in the current of his speech, and he said, 'I know, of course, I know
the question you are too polite to ask, but which quivers on your lip: "Who
is the gifted creature that sees all this incompetence and insufficiency
around him?" And I am quite ready to tell you. It is Joseph Atlee--Joseph
Atlee, who knows that when he and others like him--for we are a strong
coterie--stop the supply of ammunition, these gentlemen must cease firing.
Let the _Debats_ and the _Times_, the _Revue des Deux Mondes_ and the
_Saturday_, and a few more that I need not stop to enumerate, strike work,
and let us see how much of original thought you will obtain from your
Cabinet sages! It is in the clash and collision of the thinkers outside of
responsibility that these world-revered leaders catch the fire that lights
up their policy. The _Times_ made the Crimean blunder. The _Siecle_ created
the Mexican fiasco. The _Kreuz Zeitung_ gave the first impulse to the
Schleswig-Holstein imbroglio; and if I mistake not, the "review" in the
last _Diplomatic Chronicle_ will bear results of which he who now speaks to
you will not disown the parentage.'

'The saints be praised! here's dinner,' exclaimed Kearney, 'or this fellow
would talk us into a brain-fever. Kate is dining with Miss Betty again--God
bless her for it,' muttered he as he gave his arm to Nina, and led the way.

'I've got you a commission as a "peeler," Dick,' said Joe, as they moved
alon