And at this point Mr. Pierce Winwood was announced and Amber Severn rushed past him as he entered the room. ***** “My dear West,” said Sir Creighton Severn when after church the next day, he found himself seated opposite to the new Minister of the Annexation Department in Mr. West’s library. “My dear West, so old a friend as I am should be the first to offer you congratulations. You see that your ambition was not the foolish impulse that so many people in the old days said that it was. You had the stuff in you.” “I knew that you would be the first, my dear Severn,” said the new Minister. “We have both done very well for ourselves since those old days--those cruel old days, Severn. Ah, we had both ambitions of the right sort. We knew how to make the most of our opportunities, you and I. Yes, we have done pretty well for ourselves.” “And we have done pretty well for others too--if people only knew it,” said Sir Creighton. “Yes, yes, the world is the happier for our having lived in it--you in particular, Severn--you in particular. Your inventions--where are they going to end? that’s what some one was saying to me the other day--a man at the Admiralty--we had been hearing the result of the trial of that boat of yours. Ah, you are fortunate, Severn. Your work is recognised freely; whereas the labours of one who aspires to be thought a statesman--ah, how few appreciate the life of perpetual self-sacrifice which we are compelled to lead. People talk of the sweets of office--sweets?--Do you know, Severn, I feel greatly inclined sometimes to relinquish forever all this worry of political life--all this noise--the clamour--the--the _strepitum_--that is the word--the _strepitum_--and settle down to enjoy the life which is nearest to my heart--the home life--the home--the hearth.” “Not yet--not yet, my friend,” said Sir Creighton, shaking his head sadly. “You are not your own master now. Your duty may be an onerous one, but there are too few statesmen in England for you to think of retiring yet awhile.” “Well, perhaps one should not look at such a matter from the standpoint of one’s private feelings. You do not see so much of me nowadays as you once did, Severn; if you did you would know that the home--the hearth--ah--ah!” “We do not see so much of each other; but our children--our girls, you know that they are inseparable--West,--you are the father of a girl whom I have come to understand, and to understand such a nature as hers is to love her. I love her as I do my own child; and I am here to talk to you about her.”