impression on Lady
Maude before he left. Though intensely, even absurdly vain, Atlee was one
of those men who are so eager for success in life that they are ever on the
watch lest any weakness of disposition or temper should serve to compromise
their chances, and in this way he was led to distrust what he would in his
puppyism have liked to have thought a favourable effect produced by him on
her ladyship. She was intensely cold in manner, and yet he had made her
more than once listen to him with interest. She rarely smiled, and he had
made her actually laugh. Her apathy appeared complete, and yet he had so
piqued her curiosity that she could not forbear a question.

Acting as her uncle's secretary, and in constant communication with him, it
was her affectation to imagine herself a political character, and she did
not scruple to avow the hearty contempt she felt for the usual occupation
of women's lives. Atlee's knowledge, therefore, actually amazed her: his
hardihood, which never forsook him, enabled him to give her the most
positive assurances on anything he spoke; and as he had already fathomed
the chief prejudices of his Excellency, and knew exactly where and to
what his political wishes tended, she heard nothing from her uncle but
expressions of admiration for the just views, the clear and definite ideas,
and the consummate skill with which that 'young fellow' distinguished
himself.

'We shall have him in the House one of these days,' he would say; 'and I am
much mistaken if he will not make a remarkable figure there.'

When Lady Maude sailed proudly into the library before dinner, Atlee
was actually stunned by amazement at her beauty. Though not in actual
evening-dress, her costume was that sort of demi-toilet compromise which
occasionally is most becoming; and the tasteful lappet of Brussels lace,
which, interwoven with her hair, fell down on either side so as to frame
her face, softened its expression to a degree of loveliness he was not
prepared for.

It was her pleasure--her caprice, perhaps--to be on this occasion unusually
amiable and agreeable. Except by a sort of quiet dignity, there was no
coldness, and she spoke of her uncle's health and hopes just as she might
have discussed them with an old friend of the house.

When the butler flung wide the folding-doors into the dining-room and
announced dinner, she was about to move on, when she suddenly stopped, and
said, with a faint smile, 'Will you give me