thy with views so very
"advanced" as to be socially dangerous. Already it had become known
that she was on good terms with Quarrier and his wife. It was rumoured
that Quarrier would reconsider the position he had publicly assumed,
and stand forth as an advocate of Female Suffrage. For such extremes
Polterham was not prepared.

"Mrs. Wade asks me to go and have tea with her to-morrow," Lilian
announced one morning, showing a note. "Shall I, or not?"

"You would like to?"

"Not if you think it unwise."

"Hang it!--we can't be slaves. Go by all means, and refresh your mind."

At three o'clock on the day of invitation Lilian alighted from her
brougham at Pear-tree Cottage. It was close upon the end of February;
the declining sun shot a pleasant glow across the landscape, and in the
air reigned a perfect stillness. Mrs. Wade threw open the door herself
with laughing welcome.

"Let us have half-an-hour's walk, shall we? It's so dry and warm."

"I should enjoy it," Lilian answered, readily.

"Then allow me two minutes for bonnet and cloak."

She was scarcely longer. They went by the hedge-side path which led
towards Bale Water. To-day the papers were full of exciting news. Sir
Stafford Northcote had brought forward his resolution for making short
work of obstructive Members, and Radicalism stood undecided. Mrs. Wade
talked of these things in the liveliest strain, Lilian responding with
a lighthearted freedom seldom possible to her.

"You skated here, didn't you?" said her companion, as they drew near to
the large pond.

"Yes; a day or two after we came. How different it looks now."

They stood on the bank where it rose to a considerable height above the
water.

"The rails have spoilt this spot," said Mrs. Wade. "They were only put
up last autumn, after an accident. I wonder it was never found
necessary before. Some children were gathering blackberries from the
bramble there, and one of them reached too far forward, and over she
went! I witnessed it from the other side, where I happened to be
walking. A great splash, and then a chorus of shrieks from the
companions. I began to run forward, though of course I could have done
nothing whatever; when all at once I saw a splendid sight. A man who
was standing not far off ran to the edge and plunged in--a magnificent
'header!' He had only thrown away his hat and coat. They say it's very
deep just here. He disappeared completely, and then in a few seconds I
saw that h