eedy
transcript of it. I should like to see it at once!'

While his lordship waited for his despatch, he grumbled away about
everything that occurred to him, and even, at last, about the presence of
the very man, Walpole, who was at that same moment engaged in serving him.

'Stupid fellow,' muttered he, 'why does he ask for extension of his leave?
Staying in town here is only another name for spending money. He'll have to
go out at last; better do it at once!'

'He may have his own reasons, my lord, for delay,' said Maude, rather to
suggest further discussion of the point.

'He may think he has, I've no doubt. These small creatures have always
scores of irons in the fire. So it was when I agreed to go to Ireland.
There were innumerable fine things and clever things he was to do. There
were schemes by which "the Cardinal" was to be cajoled, and the whole Bar
bamboozled. Every one was to have office dangled before his eyes, and to be
treated so confidentially and affectionately, under disappointment, that
even when a man got nothing he would feel he had secured the regard of the
Prime Minister! If I took him out to Turkey to-morrow, he'd never be easy
till he had a plan "to square" the Grand-Vizier, and entrap Gortschakoff or
Miliutin. These men don't know that a clever fellow no more goes in search
of rogueries than a foxhunter looks out for stiff fences. You "take them"
when they lie before you, that's all.' This little burst of indignation
seemed to have the effect on him of a little wholesome exercise, for he
appeared to feel himself better and easier after it.

'Dear me! dear me!' muttered he, 'how pleasant one's life might be if it
were not for the clever fellows! I mean, of course,' added he, after a
second or two, 'the clever fellows who want to impress us with their
cleverness.'

Maude would not be entrapped or enticed into what might lead to a
discussion. She never uttered a word, and he was silent.

It was in the perfect stillness that followed that Walpole entered the room
with the telegram in his hand, and advanced to where Lord Danesbury was
sitting.

'I believe, my lord, I have made out this message in such a shape as
will enable you to divine what it means. It runs thus: "_Athens, 5th, 12
o'clock. Have seen S----, and conferred at length with him. His estimate of
value_" or "_his price_"--for the signs will mean either--"_to my thinking
enormous. His reasonings certainly strong and not easy to rebu