"I admire you more than ever," he whispered, half laughing. "What a reserve of energy in this timid little girl! Wait and see; who knows what sort of table you will preside at some day? I have found my vocation, and there's no saying how far it will lead me. Heavens! what a speech I'll give them at the Public Hall! It's bubbling over in me. I could stand up and thunder for three or four hours!" They gossiped a little longer, then Lilian went to prepare for her call upon Mrs. Powell, and Quarrier retired to the library. Here he was presently waited upon by Mr. Hammond, editor of the _Polterham Examiner_. Denzil felt no need of assistance in drawing up the manifesto which would shortly be addressed to Liberal Polterham; but Hammond was a pleasant fellow of the go-ahead species, and his editorial pen would be none the less zealous for confidences such as this. The colloquy lasted an hour or so. Immediately upon the editor's departure, a servant appeared at the study door. "Mrs. Wade wishes to see you, sir, if you are at leisure." "Certainly!" The widow entered. Her costume--perhaps in anticipation of the sunny season--was more elaborate and striking than formerly. She looked a younger woman, and walked with lighter step. "I came to see Mrs. Quarrier, but she is out. You, I'm afraid, are frightfully busy?" "No, no. This is the breathing time of the day with me. I've just got rid of our journalist. Sit down, pray." "Oh, I won't stop. But tell Lilian I am eager to see her." "She is off canvassing--really and truly! Gone to assail Mrs. Powell. Astonishing enthusiasm!" "I'm delighted to hear it!" The exclamation lingered a little, and there was involuntary surprise on Mrs. Wade's features. She cast a glance round the room. "Do sit down," urged Denzil, placing a chair. "What do you think of Dizzy's letter? Did you ever read such bunkum? And his 'men of light and leading'--ha, ha, ha!" "He has stolen the phrase," remarked Mrs. Wade. "Where from, I can't say; but I'm perfectly sure I have come across it." "Ha! I wish we could authenticate that! Search your memory--do--and get a letter in the _Examiner_ on Saturday." "Some one will be out with it before then. Besides, I'm sure you don't wish for me to draw attention to myself just now." "Why not? I shall be disappointed if you don't give me a great deal of help." "I am hardly proper, you know." She looked steadily at him, with an inscrutable smile, then let her eyes again stray round the room. "Bosh! As I was saying to Lily at lunch, women ought to have a particular interest in this election. If they are worth anything at all, they will declare that England sha'n't go in for the chance of war just to please that Jew phrase-monger. I'm ready enough for a fight, on sound occasion, but I won't fight in obedience to Dizzy and the music-halls! By jingo, no!" He laughed uproariously.