gument. But, on the whole, she acquitted herself ill. 'You are
too clever for me to-night, Percival,' she said a little wearily, as he
stood talking to her with his coffee cup in his hand; 'I cannot think
what makes men so fond of debating and argument. If they can only
persuade a person that black is white, they go home and sleep quite
happily.'

'It is such a triumph to make people see with one's own eyes,' he
returned, as though accepting a compliment. 'Have you ever read the
_Republic_ of Plato? No! I should recommend it for your perusal: it is
an acknowledged masterpiece; the reasoning is superb, and it is rich in
illustrations. The want of women is that, with all their intelligence,
they are so illogical. Now, if women only had the education of men----'

'Harcourt, I think Geraldine is tired, and would like you to take her
home,' observed Dr. Ross, interrupting the stream of eloquence; and Mr.
Harcourt, without finishing his sentence, went at once in search of his
wife. Women might be illogical, but they were to be considered, for all
that. With all his satire and love of argument, Mr. Harcourt valued his
wife's comfort before his own. 'I am quite ready, dear,' he said, as
she looked up at him with a deprecating smile; 'and I know your mother
will excuse us.'

Dr. Ross had walked with his daughter to the gate. Young Mrs. Harcourt
was a woman who always exacted these little attentions from the menkind
around her; without demanding them, she took them naturally as her right
and prerogative. It would have seemed strange to her if her father had
not offered her his arm. 'Good-bye, father dear,' she said, giving him
her firm cool cheek to kiss; 'Percy and I have had such a nice evening.'

Dr. Ross walked back to the house; then he went to his study and lighted
his reading-lamp. There was a certain interesting debate in the _Times_
which he wished much to read--a Ministerial crisis was at hand, and Dr.
Ross, who was Conservative to the backbone, was aware that his party was
menaced. He had just taken the paper in his hand when Audrey came into
the room. 'Good-night, my dear,' he said, without looking up; but Audrey
did not take the hint.

'Daddy, I want to speak to you,' she said very quietly; 'will you please
put that paper down for a moment?' And then she added, 'I want to speak
to you very particularly.'

Dr. Ross heaved a sigh and lowered his paper somewhat reluctantly.
'Would not another time have done as wel