 the solitary
example to be cited at the present period of the evils of a comparatively long
peace.
    »Doubtless the tedium of such a state to a man of the temperament of the
gallant commander,« etc., - the termination of the article was indulgent.
Rosamund recurred to the final paragraph for comfort, and though she loved
Beauchamp, the test of her representative feminine sentiment regarding his
political career, when personal feeling on his behalf had subsided, was, that
the writer of the article must have received an intimation to deal both smartly
and forbearingly with the offender: and from whom but her lord? Her notions of
the conduct of the Press were primitive. In a summary of the article Beauchamp
was treated as naughty boy, formerly brave boy, and likely by-and-by to be good
boy. Her secret heart would have spoken similarly, with more emphasis on the
flattering terms.
    A telegram arrived from her lord. She was bidden to have the house clear for
him by noon of the next day.
    How could that be done?
    But to write blankly to inform the Earl of Romfrey that he was excluded from
his own house was another impossibility.
    »Hateful man!« she apostrophized Captain Baskelett, and sat down, supporting
her chin in a prolonged meditation.
    The card of a French lady, bearing the name of Madame d'Auffray, was handed
to her.
 
Beauchamp had gone off to his friend Lydiard, to fortify himself in his resolve
to reply to that newspaper article by eliciting counsel to the contrary. Phrase
by phrase he fought through the first half of his composition of the reply
against Lydiard, yielding to him on a point or two of literary judgement, only
the more vehemently to maintain his ideas of discretion, which were, that he
would not take shelter behind a single subterfuge; that he would try this
question nakedly, though he should stand alone; that he would stake his position
on it, and establish his right to speak his opinions: and as for unseasonable
times, he protested it was the cry of a gorged middle-class, frightened of
further action, and making snug with compromise. Would it be a seasonable time
when there was uproar? Then it would be a time to be silent on such themes: they
could be discussed calmly now, and without danger; and whether he was hunted or
not, he cared nothing. He declined to consider the peculiar nature of
Englishmen: they must hear truth or perish.
    Knowing the difficulty once afflicting Beauchamp in the art of speaking on
politics tersely, Lydiard was rather astonished at his well-
