
listening with keen interest. »I never knew any one who did such things.«
    »And one admires that sort of action in Kenn all the more,« said Stephen,
»because his manners in general are rather cold and severe. There's nothing
sugary and maudlin about him.«
    »O, I think he's a perfect character!« said Lucy, with pretty enthusiasm.
    »No; there I can't agree with you,« said Stephen, shaking his head with
sarcastic gravity.
    »Now, what fault can you point out in him?«
    »He's an Anglican.«
    »Well, those are the right views, I think,« said Lucy, gravely.
    »That settles the question in the abstract,« said Stephen, »but not from a
parliamentary point of view. He has set the Dissenters and the Church people by
the ears; and a rising senator like myself, of whose services the country is
very much in need, will find it inconvenient when he puts up for the honour of
representing St Ogg's in Parliament.«
    »Do you really think of that?« said Lucy, her eyes brightening with a proud
pleasure that made her neglect the argumentative interests of Anglicanism.
    »Decidedly - whenever old Mr. Leyburn's public spirit and gout induce him to
give way. My father's heart is set on it; and gifts like mine, you know« - here
Stephen drew himself up, and rubbed his large white hands over his hair with
playful self-admiration - »gifts like mine involve great responsibilities. Don't
you think so, Miss Tulliver?«
    »Yes,« said Maggie, smiling, but not looking up; »so much fluency and
self-possession should not be wasted entirely on private occasions.«
    »Ah, I see how much penetration you have,« said Stephen. »You have
discovered already that I am talkative and impudent. Now superficial people
never discern that - owing to my manner, I suppose.«
    »She doesn't look at me when I talk of myself,« he thought, while his
listeners were laughing. »I must try other subjects.«
    Did Lucy intend to be present at the meeting of the Book Club next week? was
the next question. Then followed the recommendation to choose Southey's »Life of
Cowper,« unless she were inclined to be philosophical, and startle the ladies of
St Ogg's by voting for one of the Bridgewater Treatises. Of course Lucy wished
to know what these
