“'At least, confess that it was you who first suggested to me that they were worth cultivating; that it was _you_ who pointed out a road to me in life, and even promised me your friendship as the price of my worthily adopting it!' “'I remember the conversation you allude to. It was on this very road it occurred.' “'Well, and have I done anything as yet to forfeit the reward you spoke of?' “'All this is beside the real question, Mr. Massingbred,' said she, hurriedly. 'What you are really curious to learn is, why it is that I, being such as I am, should have displayed so much zeal in a cause which could not but have been opposed to the interests of those who are my patrons. That you have not divined the reason is a proof to me that I could not make you understand it. I don't want to talk riddles,--enough that I say it was a caprice.' “'And yet you talked seriously, persuasively to me, of my future road in life; you made me think that you saw in me the qualities that win success.' “'You have a wonderful memory for trifles, sir, since you can recall so readily what I said to you.' “'But it was not a trifle to me,' said I. “'Perhaps not, Mr. Massingbred, since it referred to yourself. I don't mean this for impertinence!' “'I am glad that you say so!' cried I, eagerly. 'I am but too happy to catch at anything which may tend to convince me that you would not willingly hurt my feelings.' “For several minutes neither of us uttered a word; at last I said, 'Should I be asking too much, if I begged Miss Henderson to tell me whether she is dissatisfied with anything I may have done in this contest? There may be matters in which I have been misrepresented; others of which I could make some explanation.' “'Are you quite satisfied with it yourself, sir?' said she, interrupting me. “'No,' said I; 'so little am I so, that were it all to do over again, I 'd not embark in it. The whole affair, from beginning to end, is a false position.' “'Ignoble associates--low companionships--very underbred acquaintances,' said she, in a tone of scorn that seemed far more directed at _me_ than the others. I believe I showed how I felt it. I know that my cheek was on fire for some seconds after. “'The Martins, I take it, are outrageous with me?' said I, at last. “'They never speak of you!' was the reply. “'Not my Lady?' “'No!' “'Nor even Repton?' “'Not once.' “'That, at least, is more dignified; and if any accident should bring us together in county business--' “'Which is not likely.' “'How so?' asked I. “'They are going away soon.' “'Going away--to leave Cro' Martin--and for any time?' “'My Lady speaks of the Continent, and that, of course, implies a long absence.' “'And has this miserable election squabble led to this resolve? Is the neighborhood to be deprived of its chief ornament--the people of their best friend--just for the sake of a petty party triumph?' “'It is fortunate Mr. Massingbred's constituents cannot hear him,' said she, laughing.