which gets on in the world gives the air which good society condemns. But you can't get away He'll make his mark.”

from it. He's smart.

"I disliked him. He had too much push for us. We let him alone. What is he here for?" "His father was here last week. He is one of Mr. Harcourt's supporters."

"I do not think Miss Harcourt likes him,” said Mrs. Allen.

"She would not. She's too honorable for that kind," said Bradley.

"You admire her?" Allen said indifferently, without betraying in the least that the subject interested him.

"I admire her more than any woman I ever knew. I wouldn't be such a cad as to deny it, even though I can't stand her father."

"Do you know Mr. Harcourt, Arthur?"

"No; but he's just like the rest of them-a politician is a politician. They can't keep clean any more than a chimney-sweep can prevent getting smutty."

"Come, Arthur, you are a good deal too absurd about politics. How does a man benefit his fellowkind by shutting himself up with musty old books and spinning moral spider-webs out of his own

vesicles? You will get into that class pretty soon if you persist in letting the commonwealth take care of itself rather than mix in politics. I see no reason why a man can not enter politics with a pure conviction that it is his duty to his country. Look at the Greeks and Romans."

"Yes; look at Cæsar. Was Cæsar ambitious?"

"No, George, you shall not scoff. I want Arthur to give up this fancy which is almost morbid, and see that it is the duty of his generation to come forward and support their party by honest principles."

"What does an individual with honest principles do against a raft of dishonest office-seekers?" "Everything."

"I don't agree with you. Good night. See you again about the canoe."

And Bradley rose abruptly, throwing his halffinished cigar into the fire, and offering his hand to Mrs. Allen.

"I haven't offended you, Arthur? Pray forgive me I feel too strongly."

"No, no; not at all, Cousin Constance. I . can't agree, and I can't argue; but I'm thinking about it."

"Well; about the canoe. We may

have a gov

erness who is a lady, cousin of the Vaughans, next week. Miss Harcourt holds out some hope of it. She'll be quite one of the family.”

"Cousin of the Vaughans! Who is it?"

"Barbara Bender."

"Whew! not Barbara Bender? What is she

going to teach for?"

"Wants a career, I believe."

"By Jove! she is plucky."

"So you know her?"

"Yes, indeed, very well. Does Miss Harcourt

know her?"

“Old school friends.”

"There are only six people in the world."

CHAPTER IV.

AN AFTERNOON TEA.

"MY DEAR MARY: It delighteth me much to report our great success in the way of a governess. In our quest for one, governesses were offered like the remedies for colds, in all manner of queer doses. They were too young and too old, too learned and too foolish; they were even too ugly and too pretty; but, our minds and hearts distracted and disturbed, we hailed at last the perfection, who was neither too anything, but just right. Barbara Bender is her name. very good name, don't you find it? Her mother was a Reynolds, of R. I., and her father, a cousin of the Vaughans. Very good blood. Ours is not an easy family to make unanimous, although we present so united a front to the world. We have our petty factions among ourselves, as you know, and a governess who shall steer her course to please us all must have, at first, tact. I have before now preached

A

to you on the subject of tact. It is neither bought nor sold, borrowed nor stolen, bartered nor exchanged, taught nor coaxed. It must be born. So, as tact is the first requisite in such a family as ours, tact must be the first requirement of our governess. She came to us through Miss Harcourt, with whom she was at school. I found out, quite accidentally, that Arthur Bradley knew her-had known her for many years at Lennox. I believe she has relatives there, and his people always go there. Arthur has been here for some time, as queer as ever. "He shows no inclination to go, now that Miss Bender has come. George would like to construct a romance out of that, but Arthur's interest is in another direction.

"We do not, as you thought possible, find it unpleasant to be so near the Harcourts. Mr. Harcourt is away a great deal, and when he is here, is a most delightful man; while to his daughter Dorothy I have quite lost my heart. She is a very fascinating woman, whom it is difficult for one to call by her first name. She is not spontaneous. George thinks her artificial. I like her manner. It reminds me of a beautiful rider holding in a fiery horse. She has herself under such wonderful control, and seems to sway every one around her.