Our Friend the Charlatan

nterest in Lashmar. When first she introduced her friend's name, Constance a little exaggerated th

ttitude of mind-always marked her agreement in hopes for his future. The old woman of the world interpreted this by her own lights. At moments it vexed her, for she did not like to be mystified; at others, it touched a chord of sympathy in some very obscure corner of

being admitted to his hostess's presence. Conducted at length to the green drawing-room, he found Lady Ogram

g from London to-day; an old

omewhere, certainly. He tried har

e in Pont Street, where you'll meet a great many fools and some reasonable people. She herself, I may tell you, is no fool, but she has a good deal more patience with that sort than I ever ha

now her name

you ever read about

plainly she did not dislike to have it understood that Society,

er friends of mine you're to meet at dinner tomorrow. Most o

the picture too entertaining, she added-"But he-or she-is not a fool, remember that." So did the talk go on, until a servant ente

s Bride?" ask

t returned from Hol

with Mrs. Gallantry, who has her eye on a house for the training-sc

Lashmar as if she saw him every day, and b

arsh, but in general effect handsome, and a warm complexion, brightly red upon the prominent cheek-bones. Jewelry sparkled in her hair, from her white throat, and on her fingers. As Lashmar came forward, she finished what she was saying, and turned her eyes upon him with expectant interest;

Lashmar,-Mrs. Woolstan. Perha

ering now that it was from Mrs.

the hostess. "You never tol

id not care to publish, preferring to represent himself as having always held an independent position. With momentary awkwardness he explained

oguish lips. "She's in trouble about parting

-ye

the child like her? I never saw h

an had used discretion concerning him, Dyce could not become at ease under that restless look: he felt himself gauged and registered, though with what result was by no means discernible in Mrs. Toplady's countenance. Those eyes of hers must have gauged

tan?" the hostess was asking,

her before her marriage, which perhaps was not quite-but the poor man is dead. A siste

imes with something like affectionate gentleness; to Miss Bride she paid the compliment of amiable gravity; and towards Lashmar she could not have borne herself more respectfully-at all events in language-if he had been a member of the Cabinet; every word which fell from him she found suggestive, illuminative, and seemed to treasure it in her

nstance sat down to breakfast alone. Mrs. To

"Lady Ogram will drive at eleven, a

u?" ask

for two or

egg, a thoughtful smil

ything about Mrs. T

have heard fr

ally. Two years afterwards, she married a northern manufacturer of more than twice her age; an instance (remarked Miss Bride) of natural reaction. It chanced that a Royal Personage, on a certain public occasion, became the guest of the manufacturer, who had local dignities; and so well did Mrs. Toplady play her part of

onstance, "and spends it all on herself. Natural

n that, I fancy," r

am would say, sh

oying his breakfast, and, under this genial inf

ve no objection on principle to this kind of thing

Why should I obje

st such as this puts us at an advantage over the poorer world for the rest of the day. But the advantage isn't stolen. How came we here? Is it merely the co

he had lived rather poorly? He hoped, and believed, t

h a smile. "I, for example,

er, surprised a

eem very ungrateful; I have hardly said 'thank you.

ded to her for an appreciable moment, did she g

e, as you know, but I don't want to spoil my chances. You understand how I look at this business? My object in life is to gain influence, that I may spread my views. Parliament, I take it, is the best mean

him, and seemed to

"I shouldn't advise much of

ever do. I suppose that woma

t a man doesn't become parliamentary candidate by just walking into a town an

inded himself that "twaddle" was as little likely t

litical peopl

'll be well for yon to have her good word. Lady Ogram can do a good deal, here, but

d spoken in too off-hand a way, he added graciously, "I needn't sa

nce wa

it for granted that yo

sh for it because

is, but Constance's face did not i

Presently I should like to talk over practical details with you. I suppose I call myself Unionist? These questions of day-to-day politics, how paltry they are! Strange that people can get excited about

ring it. How was i

tly, and with so keen a look, that sh

observation grew bit by bit-no ar

ed it out pret

tline,

e in the garden. Punctually at eleven, Lady

ed to dream. It is one thing to merit advancement, quite another to secure it. Yet here he was, driving with a great lady, his friend, his admirer; driving towards the excitement of political contest, perhaps towards a seat in Parliament, and who could say what subsequent distinctions. Lady Ogram was not the woman to aid half-heartedly where her feelings were interested. Pretty surely he could count upon large sup

was entering the hall, a servan

ver is here

chever?

idays, his brown hair abundant and crisp, spring and stay declared in every muscle of his limbs and frame. Lightly he arose, gracefully he swung forward, with the bow and smile of one who knows not constraint. Mr. Kerchever followed the law, but he als

ady Ogram, unable to subdue an agit

you," replied Mr. Kerchever, in a voice which

Don't keep

-daughter of your bro

drew a deep,

claimed, thickly, just as

how I came up

cried the old lady, with violent irr

h relatives of her mother in the town of Northampton. She has been well educate

was hotly flushed; her hands trembled; a gre

"Thank goodness!" Then, with sudden alarm,

yebrows, "is not quite in my way. Indeed, I'm not in the habit of making mistakes of any ki

them, they're so touchy. Can't you go on? Here's a girl falls out of the clouds, and I'm to sh

am long, and had received traditions regarding her from a time before he was born; but

Lady Ogram. I do so out of regard for your health. Emotion is natural, but, now that you know

d at him, but nod

ou are. Talk as m

go. I could find no further record of her, but inquiries were easy, and they guided me to Northampton. There I made the acquaintance of a Mr. Rooke, a manufacturer, in whose house Miss Tomalin is residen

s Jo-my brother?" aske

brother Joseph. Thomas Tomalin has left no trace, except the memory of his name preserved by the wife of Joseph, and handed on to her son, who, in turn, spoke of Thomas to his wife, who

isements were never seen by

an Englishwoman, came back to England in '81, bringing May, the only child; she settled at Northampton, and, on her death in the following year, May passed into th

lurry Lady Ogram was passi

ut I can't see why you didn't find the girl

re. The story of Joseph's wanderings is irrecoverable; we must be content to

y haven't you

ree to accept any invitation that may be offered her. The Rookes seem to be quiet people, in easy circumstances; no trouble of any kind

ady Ogram, starting up. "Would

me. At first I found Mr. Rooke rather disposed to stand upon his dignity; but a firm of Northampton sol

pton, and bring the

ou wi

you must eat. Come and eat. I have some one staying here that I s

ou have f

tay over night? Yes, now I come to think of it, I should like you to dine with us. You shall go to Northampton to-morr

re it will be wise to bring this

nows how to be

sudden, don't you think? And-if I may venture-how can yo

high croak of exasperation. "Isn't she my brother's

rge a littl

girl a

nk so. But she has led a

Lady Ogram. "We'll t

Mr. Lashmar I want you to know each other. Mr. Lashmar, what have you been doing all the morning? Why, of co

at Mr. Kerchever must have brought some very important news. Lashmar, also exhilarated, kept up conversation with Mrs. Toplady. It was a vivacious company,

d by politics a recurring tussle between two parties, neither of which had it in its power to do much good or harm to the country; of philosophy and science (other than that of boxing) he knew about as much as the woman who s

the careless answer. "But its

nt for muck in politic