“Is it not possible, Miss Darcy,” said Forester, in a voice at once timid and insinuating,--“is it not possible that the measure contemplated by the Government may have results so beneficial as to more than compensate for evils like these?” “A Jesuit, or a Tory, or both,” cried Helen. “Mamma, you have chosen your umpire most judiciously; his is exactly the impartiality needed.” “Nay, but hear me out,” cried the young officer, whose cheek was crimsoned with shame. “If the measure be a good one,--well, let me beg the question, if it be a good one--and yet, the time for propounding it is either inopportune or unfortunate, and, consequently, the support it might claim on its own merits be withheld either from prejudice, party connection, or any similar cause,--you would not call a ministry culpable who should anticipate the happy working of a judicious Act, by securing the assistance of those whose convictions are easily won over, in preference to the slower process of convincing the men of more upright and honest intentions.” “You have begged so much in the commencement, and assumed so much in the conclusion, sir, that I am at a loss to which end of your speech to address my answer; but I will say this much: it is but sorry evidence of a measure's goodness when it can only meet with the approval of the venal. I don't prize the beauty so highly that is only recognized by the blind man.” “Distorted vision, Miss Darcy, may lead to impressions more erroneous than even blindness.” “I may have the infirmity you speak of,” said she, quickly, “but assuredly I'll not wear Government spectacles to correct it.” If Forester was surprised at finding a young lady so deeply interested in a political question, he was still more so on hearing the tone of determination she spoke in, and would gladly, had he known how, have given the conversation a less serious turn. “We have been all the time forgetting the real question at issue,” said Lady Eleanor. “I 'm sure I never intended to listen to a discussion on the merits or demerits of the Union, on which you both grow so eloquent; will you then kindly return to whence we started, and advise me as to the reply to this letter.” [Illustration: 152]