She said, ’I really am of opinion that our sex might abstain from politics.’

‘We find it difficult to do justice to both parties,’ Miss Denham followed.  ’It seems to be a kind of clanship with women; hardly even that.’

Rosamund was inattentive to the conversational slipshod, and launched one of the heavy affirmatives which are in dialogue full stops.  She could not have said why she was sensible of anger, but the sentiment of anger, or spite (if that be a lesser degree of the same affliction), became stirred in her bosom when she listened to the ward of Dr. Shrapnel.  A silly pretty puss of a girl would not have excited it, nor an avowed blood-relative of the demagogue.

Nevil’s hotel was pointed out to Rosamund, and she left her card there.  He had been absent since eight in the morning.  There was the probability that he might be at Dr. Shrapnel’s, so Rosamund walked on.

‘Captain Beauchamp gives himself no rest,’ Miss Denham said.

‘Oh!  I know him, when once his mind is set on anything,’ said Rosamund.

‘Is it not too early to begin to—­canvass, I think, is the word?’

’He is studying whatever the town can teach him of its wants; that is, how he may serve it.’

‘Indeed!  But if the town will not have him to serve it?’

’He imagines that he cannot do better, until that has been decided, than to fit himself for the post.’

’Acting upon your advice?  I mean, of course, your uncle’s; that is, Dr. Shrapnel’s.’

’Dr. Shrapnel thinks it will not be loss of time for Captain Beauchamp to grow familiar with the place, and observe as well as read.’

’It sounds almost as if Captain Beauchamp had submitted to be Dr. Shrapnel’s pupil.’

’It is natural, madam, that Dr. Shrapnel should know more of political ways at present than Captain Beauchamp.’

’To Captain Beauchamp’s friends and relatives it appears very strange that he should have decided to contest this election so suddenly.  May I inquire whether he and Dr. Shrapnel are old acquaintances?’

’No, madam, they are not.  They had never met before Captain Beauchamp landed, the other day.’

’I am surprised, I confess.  I cannot understand the nature of an influence that induces him to abandon a profession he loves and shines in, for politics, at a moment’s notice.’

Miss Denham was silent, and then said: 

’I will tell you, madam, how it occurred, as far as circumstances explain it.  Dr. Shrapnel is accustomed to give a little country feast to the children I teach, and their parents if they choose to come, and they generally do.  They are driven to Northeden Heath, where we set up a booth for them, and try with cakes and tea and games to make them spend one of their happy afternoons and evenings.  We succeed, I know, for the little creatures talk of it and look forward to the day.  When they are at their last romp, Dr. Shrapnel speaks to the parents.’