_Audley._--"Enough, Randal. We will not fatigue Lord L'Estrange with these little details of a life that displeases him--the life political." _Harley._--"But _these_ details do not displease me--they reconcile me to my own life. Go on, pray, Mr. Leslie." Randal had too much tact to need the cautioning glance of Mr. Egerton. He did not continue, but said, with a soft voice, "Do you think, Lord L'Estrange, that the contemplation of the mode of life pursued by others _can_ reconcile a man to his own, if he had before thought it needed a reconciler?" Harley looked pleased, for the question was ironical; and, if there was a thing in the world he abhorred, it was flattery. "Recollect your Lucretius, Mr. Leslie, _Suave mare_, &c., 'pleasant from the cliff to see the mariners tossed on the ocean.' Faith, I think that sight reconciles one to the cliff--though, before, one might have been teased by the splash from the spray, and deafened by the scream of the sea-gulls. But I leave you, Audley. Strange that I have heard no more of my soldier. Remember I have your promise when I come to claim it. Good-bye, Mr. Leslie, I hope that Mr. Burley's article will be worth the--check." Lord L'Estrange mounted his horse, which was still at the door, and rode through the Park. But he was no longer now unknown by sight. Bows and nods saluted him on every side. "Alas, I am found out, then," said he to himself. "That terrible Duchess of Knaresborough, too--I must fly my country." He pushed his horse into a canter, and was soon out of the Park. As he dismounted at his father's sequestered house, you would have hardly supposed him the same whimsical, fantastic, but deep and subtle humorist that delighted in perplexing the material Audley. For his expressive face was unutterably serious. But the moment he came into the presence of his parents, the countenance was again lighted and cheerful. It brightened the whole room like sunshine. CHAPTER XI. "Mr. Leslie," said Egerton, when Harley had left the library, "you did not act with your usual discretion in touching upon matters connected with politics in the presence of a third party." "I feel that already, sir. My excuse is, that I held Lord L'Estrange to be your most intimate friend." "A public man, Mr. Leslie, would ill serve his country if he were not especially reserved towards his private friends,--when they do not belong to his party." "But, pardon me my ignorance: Lord Lansmere is so well known to be one of your supporters that I fancied his son must share his sentiments, and be in your confidence." Egerton's brows slightly contracted, and gave a stern expression to a countenance always firm and decided. He however answered in a mild tone.