of mankind:  Stukely had nothing further to say regarding the situation.  She asked him what he thought, and he smiled.  Could a reasonable head venture to think anything in particular?  He repeated the amazed, ’You don’t say so’ of Colonel Halkett, on hearing the name of the new Liberal candidate for Bevisham at the dinner-table, together with some of Cecil’s waggish embroidery upon the theme.

Rosamund exclaimed angrily, ’Oh! if I had been there he would not have dared.’

‘Why not be there?’ said Stukely.  ’You have had your choice for a number of years.’

She shook her head, reddening.

But supposing that she had greater privileges than were hers now?  The idea flashed.  A taint of personal pique, awakened by the fancied necessity for putting her devotedness to Nevil to proof, asked her if she would then be the official housekeeper to whom Captain Baskelett bowed low with affected respect and impertinent affability, ironically praising her abroad as a wonder among women, that could at one time have played the deuce in the family, had she chosen to do so.

‘Just as you like,’ Mr. Culbrett remarked.  It was his ironical habit of mind to believe that the wishes of men and women—­women as well as men—­ were expressed by their utterances.

‘But speak of Nevil to Colonel Halkett,’ said Rosamund, earnestly carrying on what was in her heart.  ’Persuade the colonel you do not think Nevil foolish—­not more than just a little impetuous.  I want that marriage to come off!  Not on account of her wealth.  She is to inherit a Welsh mine from her uncle, you know, besides being an only child.  Recall what Nevil was during the war.  Miss Halkett has not forgotten it, I am sure, and a good word for him from a man of the world would, I am certain, counteract Captain Baskelett’s—­are they designs?  At any rate, you can if you like help Nevil with the colonel.  I am convinced they are doing him a mischief.  Colonel Halkett has bought an estate—­and what a misfortune that is!—­close to Bevisham.  I fancy he is Toryish.  Will you not speak to him?  At my request?  I am so helpless I could cry.

‘Fancy you have no handkerchief,’ said Mr. Culbrett, ’and give up scheming, pray.  One has only to begin to scheme, to shorten life to half-a-dozen hops and jumps.  I could say to the colonel, “Young Beauchamp’s a political cub:  he ought to have a motherly wife."’

‘Yes, yes, you are right; don’t speak to him at all,’ said Rosamund, feeling that there must be a conspiracy to rob her of her proud independence, since not a soul could be won to spare her from taking some energetic step, if she would be useful to him she loved.

Colonel Halkett was one of the guests at Steynham who knew and respected her, and he paid her a visit and alluded to Nevil’s candidature, apparently not thinking much the worse of him.  ’We can’t allow him to succeed,’ he said, and looked for a smiling approval of such natural opposition, which Rosamund gave him readily after he had expressed the hope that Nevil Beauchamp would take advantage of his proximity to Mount Laurels during the contest to try the hospitality of the house.  ’He won’t mind meeting his uncle?’ The colonel’s eyes twinkled.  ’My daughter has engaged Mr. Romfrey and Captain Baskelett to come to us when they have shot Holdesbury.’