For Erb, on the other hand, the journey had something less of exultation. From the moment of starting from St. James’s Road, Hatcham, the fear possessed him that he might be seen by some member of his society, who would thereupon communicate facts to colleagues. Thus would his character for independence find itself bruised: thus would the jealousy of the men be aroused; thus would the Spanswick party be able to whisper round the damaging report that Erb had been nobbled by the capitalists. Wherefore Erb, anxious for none of these eventualities, tipped his hat well over his forehead, and, leaning forward, with his face down, listened to Lady Frances’s conversation. The carriage had a scent of refinement; the young woman opposite in her perfect costume was something to be worshipped respectfully, and he scarce wondered when, at one point of the journey up the straight Old Kent Road, he heard one loafer say to another, “Where’s there an election on to-day?” Lady Frances, having completed her account of the bazaar, had information of great importance to communicate, and this she gave in a confidential undertone that was pleasant and flattering. “From what my uncle says, it appears there is a strike threatening, and—you know all about it perhaps?” “Heard rumours,” said Erb guardedly. “He is anxious that you should call upon him at the earliest possible moment to discuss the affair privately, but he is most anxious that it should not appear that he has sought the meeting. You quite see, don’t you? It’s a question of _amour propre_.” “Ho!” said Erb darkly. “And I should be so glad,” she went on, with the excitement of a young diplomatist, “if I could bring you two together. It would be doing so much good.” “To him?” “I could drive you on now,” she suggested hesitatingly, “and we should catch my uncle just after his dinner; an excellent time.” “I think,” said Erb stolidly, “that we’d better let events work out their natural course.” “You’re wrong, quite wrong, believe me. Events left alone work out very clumsily at times.” Lady Frances touched him lightly on the knee. “Please do me this very small favour.” “Since you put it like that then, I don’t mind going up to see him to-night. Not that anything will come from it, mind you. Don’t let’s delude ourselves into thinking _that_.” “This,” cried Lady Frances, clapping her hands, “is excellent. This is just what I like to be doing.” Erb, still watching fearfully for acquaintances, glanced at her excited young face, with respectful admiration. “Now, I shall drive you straight on—” “If you don’t mind,” said Erb, “no; we’ll hop out at the corner of Page’s Walk.” “And not drive up to the dwellings?” asked Louisa disappointed. “And _not_ drive up to the dwellings,” said Erb firmly. “I’ll get on somehow to see your uncle to-night.” “You won’t break your word?” “I should break a lot of other things before I did that.”