Part 15 (2/2)

”I see a good many men in this lobby,” he rejoined. ”I do not notice that any of them are bored. Indeed, for the most part, they seem very busy.”

”That is one of the tragedies of the House of Commons,” Smale replied.

”There are so many men in who during the whole of each session are extremely busy doing nothing; they haven't a moment to spare, they do nothing with so much energy and persistence. One moment they are in the library writing to a const.i.tuent who wants to know why the medal which his father earned in the Crimea has not yet arrived; the next moment they rush into the House because the famous Irishman with the witty tongue is up; they are off again to the outer lobby to tell a visitor that he can't see the Prime-Minister--'Industry without work, idleness without rest,' that is how this House was once described, and, believe me, the description is not inapt.”

Thus said Henry Smale, but Harry Rames was not to be turned aside.

”I will take all these risks very willingly, Mr. Smale,” he cried, ”I want to be in here.”

Henry Smale smiled, ceased from his arguments, and clapped Rames in a kindly fas.h.i.+on on the shoulder. ”I have done my duty,” he said.

”Come!”

He led Rames through a little doorway at the side of which sat three or four messengers, and at the end of a narrow pa.s.sage tapped upon a door.

”Come in,” said a voice, and as Smale ushered in Harry Rames a man of pleasant address and an exquisite suit of clothes arose and welcomed them.

”Hamlin,” said Henry Smale, ”this is Captain Rames.”

Mr. Hamlin shook hands cordially with Rames and invited him to a chair.

”We shall be very glad to have you in the House,” he said. He beamed.

He seemed to have been waiting for Captain Rames to complete his happiness. ”I think Ludsey was suggested.”

”Benoliel suggested it,” said Smale. ”He's a good judge too.”

”There is no candidate arranged yet. I will write to Ludsey at once.”

Smale and Rames left the room together.

”I should think you might consider that settled,” said Smale.

Rames thanked him and referred to Hamlin's charm of manner. Smale's small eyes twinkled.

”That's why he sits in that room. He's the chief Whip.” And shaking hands with Rames Mr. Smale abruptly returned to the House.

The gist of the conversation with Smale Rames told to Cynthia in the reception-room at the Admiralty, and she listened with a growing interest. Then once more his note changed. He spoke with a boyish enthusiasm of his aims. To force an entrance into that arena; the entrance gained, to fight himself into the station of a great man; ultimately to govern and exercise authority--the note of personal ambition rose to a pitch of exultation in his voice. Of principles he obviously had no care, theories of politics were to him of no account.

He was the political adventurer pure and simple. Cynthia sat with her eyes of dark blue clouded, and a real disappointment at her heart. She raised her face to his, and a little smile trembled upon her lips, and even her voice shook ever so slightly.

”You have been very honest to me about it all,” she said. ”I thank you for that.”

Captain Rames was a trifle bewildered. He could not see that he had anything to conceal.

”Good-night,” she said as she rose, ”I see my friend Mrs. Royle waiting for me.”

She gave him her hand and moved away for a few steps and then stopped.

Harry Rames was at her side before she had stopped. She turned to him timidly with the blood mounting very prettily into her cheeks.

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