to himself that women for the present ought to be regarded as exempt from those radical changes which would be good for men. For himself his "order" was a vanity and a delusion; but for his sister it must still be held as containing some bonds. In this frame of mind he determined that he would return to Hendon Hall almost immediately. Further hope of hunting with the Braeside Harriers there was none; and it was necessary for him to see Roden as soon as possible. That evening at the Castle Lady Amaldina got hold of him, and asked him his advice as to her future duties as a married woman. Lady Amaldina was very fond of little confidences as to her future life, and had as yet found no opportunity of demanding the sympathy of her cousin. Hampstead was not in truth her cousin, but they called each other cousins,--or were called so. None of the Hauteville family felt any of that aversion to the Radicalism of the heir to the marquisate which the Marchioness entertained. Lady Amaldina delighted to be Amy to Lord Hampstead, and was very anxious to ask him his advice as to Lord Llwddythlw. "Of course you know all about my marriage, Hampstead?" she said. "I don't know anything about it," Hampstead replied. "Oh, Hampstead; how ill-natured!" "Nobody knows anything about it, because it hasn't taken place." "That is so like a Radical, to be so precise and rational. My engagement then?" "Yes; I've heard a great deal about that. We've been talking about that for--how long shall I say?" "Don't be disagreeable. Of course such a man as Llwddythlw can't be married all in a hurry just like anybody else." "What a misfortune for him!" "Why should it be a misfortune?" "I should think it so if I were going to be married to you." "That's the prettiest thing I have ever heard you say. At any rate he has got to put up with it, and so have I. It is a bore, because people will talk about nothing else. What do you think of Llwddythlw as a public man?" "I haven't thought about it. I haven't any means of thinking. I am so completely a private man myself, that I know nothing of public men. I hope he's good at going to sleep." "Going to sleep?" "Otherwise it must be so dull, sitting so many hours in the House of Commons. But he's been at it a long time, and I dare say he's used to it." "Isn't it well that a man in his position should have a regard to his country?" "Every man ought to have a regard to his country;--but a stronger regard, if it be possible, to the world at large." Lady Amaldina stared at him, not knowing in the least what he meant. "You are so droll," she said. "You never, I think, think of the position you were born to fill." "Oh yes, I do. I'm a man, and I think a great deal about it." "But you've got to be Marquis of Kingsbury, and Llwddythlw has got to be Duke of Merioneth. He never forgets it for a moment." "What a nuisance for him,--and for you." "Why should it be a nuisance for me? Cannot a woman understand her duties as well as a man?"