Mr. Clutterbuck, recognising the accent, replied eagerly, "At the period most closely associated with his name." "That won't do f'r my boys," said the interrupter cheerfully, "n'r f'r anny uv the Orange Temperance League that _I_ know, I can tell ye!" And this was Mr. Clutterbuck's first introduction to the great truth that practical politics depend on compromise. The Chairman bestowed a sorrowful look upon the gentleman from Ulster, and said severely: "I _think_, Mr. Clutterbuck, most of us are satisfied with your reply." Mr. Clutterbuck was grateful; he waited for the next question and braced himself to bear it. It was the lady who put it to him in a voice which some years earlier must have been a beautiful contralto, and which even yet retained notes of singular richness and power. She asked Mr. Clutterbuck in a manner suggesting persuasion rather than pressure, what his views might be upon the establishment of female courts of justice. Mr. Clutterbuck replied that in this, as in every other matter concerning the sex, he should be guided by the opinion of the committee representing the lady electors. "But I am here to represent the _Female_ Committee," said the lady sweetly. "Well, Ma'am," said Mr. Clutterbuck, "ahem! I suppose you represent their views?" "Certainly," said the lady with decision and in her richest tones. "Quite so, quite so," said Mr. Clutterbuck. At this point Charlie Fitzgerald looked up and said quietly: "I can assure you Mr. Clutterbuck is heartily in favour." His interruption was not very palatable to the committee, who found it a diversion from the pleasures of the chase. The chairman frowned at him, and Charlie Fitzgerald smiled back sadly in return. "Mr. Clutterbuck," came forth the deep voice again, "I have now to ask you the gravest question of all: How would you vote in the matter of temperance reform?" "Mr. Clutterbuck," said Charlie Fitzgerald briskly, "is a total abstainer." "We are not here, sir," said a barber who had not yet spoken, and who was a deeply religious man, "to hear you, but to hear Mr. Clutterbuck." To which rebuke Charlie Fitzgerald had the imprudence to murmur in a low tone: "Oh, my God!" Luckily the expression did not reach the stern half-moon of inquisitors, and Mr. Clutterbuck was free to reply that he had the most ardent and complete sympathy with temperance reform in all its aspects. "But to take a specific instance," said the clergyman, wagging a forefinger at Mr. Clutterbuck and fixing him with his two glass eyes, "would you or would you not vote for Sir William Cattermole's Bill?" "I would vote for it," said Mr. Clutterbuck in a tone of ardent conviction, "though it should cost me my seat and the confidence of my party!" A look of blank amazement passed over the clergyman's face, nor did any of the half circle smile, except the Orangeman, and he only with his eyes.