were multitudes, alas! who made it the object of their life-long endeavour to oust Christianity from the world; if not avowedly, at all events in fact.  Therefore would he describe to them in brief, clear sentences what really was implied in a struggle between the parties commonly known as Conservative and Liberal.  He judged no individual; he spoke only of principles, of a spirit, an attitude.  The designs of Russia, the troubles in Ireland—­of these things he knew little and recked less; they were “party shibboleths,” and did not concern a Christian minister in his pulpit.  But deeper lay the interests for which parties nowadays were in truth contending.  It had come to this:  are we to believe, or are we not to believe that the “kingdom of God” must have precedence of worldly goods?  The working classes of this country—­ah, how sad to have to speak with condemnation of the poor!—­were being led to think that the only object worth striving after was an improvement of their material condition.  Marvellous to say, they were encouraged in this view by people whom Providence had blessed with all the satisfactions that earth can give.  When the wealthy, the educated thus repudiated the words of Christ, what could be expected of those whom supreme Goodness has destined to a subordinate lot?  No! material improvement was not the first thing, even for those unhappy people (victims for the most part of their own improvident or vicious habits) who had scarcely bread to eat and raiment wherewith to clothe themselves.  Let them seek the kingdom of God, and these paltry, temporal things shall surely be added unto them.

This sermon was printed at the office of the Polterham Mercury, and distributed freely throughout the town.  He had desired no such thing, said Mr. Vialls, but the pressure of friends was irresistible.  In private, meanwhile, he spoke fiercely against the Radical candidate, and never with such acrimony as in Mrs. Mumbray’s drawing-room when Serena was present.  One afternoon he stood up, tea-cup in hand, and, as his habit was, delivered a set harangue on the burning topic.

“In one respect,” he urged, after many other accusations, “I consider that Mr. Quarrier is setting the very worst, the most debasing, the most demoralizing example to these working folk, whose best interests he professes to have at heart.  I am assured (and the witness of my own eyes in one instance warrants me in giving credit to the charge) that he constantly enters public-houses, taverns, even low dram-shops, to satisfy his thirst for strong liquor in the very face of day, before the eyes of any one who may happen to be passing.  This is simply abominable If an honourable man has one duty —­one social duty—­more incumbent upon him than another, it is to refrain from setting an example of intemperance.”

Serena had listened thus far with a look of growing irritation.  At length she could resist no longer the impulse to speak out.