-to-do people who
have the will to use their means rightly, if only they knew how. This
minority must be organised. It must attract intellect and moral force
from every social rank. Money must be used against money, and in this
struggle it is not the big battalions which will prevail. Personally I
care very little for wealth, as I think you know. I have no expensive
tastes; I can live without luxuries. Oh, I like to be comfortable, and
to be free from anxiety; who doesn't? But I never felt the impulse to
strive to enrich myself. On the other hand, money as a civilising force
has great value in my eyes. Without it, one can work indeed, but with
what slow results? It is time to be up and doing. We must organise our
party, get our new Liberalism to work.--In this also, do you agree with
me?"

"It is certain," Constance replied, "that the right use of money is one
of the great questions of our day."

"I know how much you have thought of it," said Dyce. Then, after a
short pause, he added in his frankest tone, "And it concerns you
especially."

"It does."

"Do you feel," he softened his voice to respectful intimacy, "that, in
devoting yourself to this cause, you will be faithful to the trusts you
have accepted?"

Constance answered deliberately.

"It depends upon what you understand by devoting myself. Beyond a
doubt, Lady Ogram would have approved the idea as you put it."

"And would she not have given me her confidence as its representative?"
asked Dyce, smiling.

"Up to a certain point. Lady Ogram desired, for instance, to bear the
expenses of your contest at Hollingford, and I should like to carry out
her wish in the matter."

A misgiving began to trouble Lashmar's sanguine mood. He searched his
companion's face; it seemed to him to have grown more emphatic in
expression; there was a certain hardness about the lips which he had
not yet observed. Still, Constance looked friendly, and her eyes
supported his glance.

"Thank you," he murmured, with some feeling. "And, if, by chance, I
should be beaten? You wouldn't lose courage? We must remember--"

"You have asked me many questions," Constance interrupted quietly. "Let
me use the privilege of frankness which we grant each other, and ask
you one in turn. Your private means are sufficient for the career upon
which you are entering?"

"My private means?"

He gazed at her as if he did not understand, the smile fading from his
lips.

"Forgive me if you think