"That friend of yours down at Mendover," said she,—"what is his name?—Gosford?—well, he seems an unconscionable time dying. I wish he’d hurry up with his Chiltern Hundreds and put an end to himself at once. That is what is wanted for Vin—the novelty and excitement of finding himself in the House of Commons. Supposing Mr. Gosford were to resign at once, how soon could Vin be returned? There’s some procedure, isn’t there?—the High Sheriff or somebody, issues a writ, or something——?" "I really cannot say," her companion answered blandly. "I belong to a sphere in which such violent convulsions are unknown." "At all events, Parliament will meet about the middle of February?" she demanded. "I presume so," was the careless answer. "I wish the middle of February were here now, and Vin all securely returned," said she. "I suppose that even in the case of a small borough like Mendover, one’s constituents can keep one pretty busy? They will watch how you vote, won’t they?—and remonstrate when you go wrong; and pass resolutions; and expect you to go down and be cross-examined. Then there are always public meetings to be addressed; and petitions to be presented; and people wanting admission to the Speaker’s Gallery——" "Why, really, Madge, there’s a sort of furious activity about you this morning," said he. "You quite take one’s breath away. I shouldn’t be surprised to see you on a platform yourself." "It’s all for Vin’s sake I am so anxious," she exclaimed. "I can see how miserable and sad the poor boy is—though he bears it so bravely—never a word to one of us, lest we should ask him if he believes in those people now. I wonder if he can. I wonder if he was so blinded that even now he will shut his eyes to their true character?" "They are quite gone away, then?" her companion asked. "Oh, yes," she made answer. "I hope so. Indeed, I know they are. And on the whole it was opportune, just as this election was coming on; for now, if ever, Vin will have a chance of throwing off an infatuation that seemed likely to be his ruin, and of beginning that career of which we all hope such great things." She glanced round, cautiously; and lowered her voice.