’Meanwhile, Randolph appears to have visited the earl at least once a day.  In such retirement did he, too, live that many of his friends still supposed him to be in India.  There was only one respect in which he broke through this privacy.  You know, of course, that the Orvens are, and, I believe, always have been, noted as the most obstinate, the most crabbed of Conservatives in politics.  Even among the past-enamoured families of England, they stand out conspicuously in this respect.  Is it credible to you, then, that Randolph should offer himself to the Radical Association of the Borough of Orven as a candidate for the next election in opposition to the sitting member?  It is on record, too, that he spoke at three public meetings—­reported in local papers—­at which he avowed his political conversion; afterwards laid the foundation-stone of a new Baptist chapel; presided at a Methodist tea-meeting; and taking an abnormal interest in the debased condition of the labourers in the villages round, fitted up as a class-room an apartment on the top floor at Orven Hall, and gathered round him on two evenings in every week a class of yokels, whom he proceeded to cram with demonstrations in elementary mechanics.’

‘Mechanics!’ cried Zaleski, starting upright for a moment, ’mechanics to agricultural labourers!  Why not elementary chemistry?  Why not elementary botany? Why mechanics?’

This was the first evidence of interest he had shown in the story.  I was pleased, but answered: 

’The point is unimportant; and there really is no accounting for the vagaries of such a man.  He wished, I imagine, to give some idea to the young illiterates of the simple laws of motion and force.  But now I come to a new character in the drama—­the chief character of all.  One day a woman presented herself at Orven Hall and demanded to see its owner.  She spoke English with a strong French accent.  Though approaching middle life she was still beautiful, having wild black eyes, and creamy pale face.  Her dress was tawdry, cheap, and loud, showing signs of wear; her hair was unkempt; her manners were not the manners of a lady.  A certain vehemence, exasperation, unrepose distinguished all she said and did.  The footman refused her admission; Lord Pharanx, he said, was invisible.  She persisted violently, pushed past him, and had to be forcibly ejected; during all which the voice of the master was heard roaring from the passage red-eyed remonstrance at the unusual noise.  She went away gesticulating wildly, and vowing vengeance on Lord Pharanx and all the world.  It was afterwards found that she had taken up her abode in one of the neighbouring hamlets, called Lee.