“(8) The Speakers agree that the said speeches shall be in no way a violation of existing copyright and the said agent agrees to hold harmless the said speakers from all suits, claims, and proceedings which may be taken on the ground that the said speeches contain anything libellous.” “That’s important,” said Lalage. “It is,” I said, “very. I notice that Selby-Harrison has a note at the bottom of the page to the effect that a penny stamp is required if the amount is over two pounds. He seems rather fond of that. I recollect he had it in the agreement he drew up for me.” “It wasn’t in the original,” said Lalage. “He put it in because we all thought it would be safer.” “You were right. After the narrow shave you had with the bishops you can’t be too careful. And the amount is almost certain to be over two pounds. Even Vittie’s character must be worth more than that.” “Vittie,” said Lalage, “appears to be the very kind of man we want to get at. I’ve been reading his speeches.” “I expect,” I said, “that you’ll enjoy O’Donoghue too. But Vittie is to be your chief prey. I wonder Mr. Titherington didn’t insist on inserting a clause to that effect in the agreement.” “Tithers hated signing it. I was obliged to keep prodding him on or he wouldn’t have done it. Selby-Harrison said that either you or he must, so of course it had to be him. We couldn’t go for you in any way because we’d promised to respect your scruples.” I recollected the telegram I had received just before leaving Lisbon. “I wish,” I said, “that I felt sure you had respected my scruples. What about Selby-Harrison’s father? Has he been consulted?” “Selby-Harrison isn’t coming, only me and Hilda.” “Why?” “Well, for one thing he’s in the Divinity School now.” “That needn’t stop him,” I said. “My constituency is full of parsons, priests, and Presbyterian ministers, all rampant. Selby-Harrison will be in good company. But how did he get into the Divinity School? I thought the Provost said he must take up medicine on account of that trouble with the bishops.” “Oh, that’s all blown over long ago. And being a divinity student wasn’t his only reason for not coming. The fact is his father lives down there.” “Ah,” I said, “That’s more serious.” “He wrote to his father and told him to be sure to vote for you. That was as far as he cared to go in the matter.” “It was very good of him to do so much. And now about your mother, Hilda. Has she given her consent?” “Not quite,” said Hilda. “But she hasn’t forbidden me. “We haven’t told her,” said Lalage. “Lalage, you haven’t respected my scruples and you promised you would. You promised in the most solemn way in a telegram which must have cost you twopence a word.” “We have respected them,” said Lalage. “You have not. My chief scruple was Hilda’s mother.”