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of one's seclusion depends often on the ability for tactful
falsehood shown by a club pageboy； Youghal was duly appreciative of
the circumstance that his lady fair spent a large part of the year
pursuing foxes； in lieu of pursuing him。 Also the honestly
admitted fact that； in her human hunting； she rode after more than
one quarry； made the inevitable break…up of the affair a matter to
which both could look forward without a sense of coming
embarrassment and recrimination。 When the time for gathering ye
rosebuds should be over； neither of them could accuse the other of
having wrecked his or her entire life。 At the most they would only
have disorganised a week…end。
On this particular afternoon； when old reminiscences had been gone
through； and the intervening gossip of past months duly recounted；
a lull in the conversation made itself rather obstinately felt。
Molly had already guessed that matters were about to slip into a
new phase； the affair had reached maturity long ago； and a new
phase must be in the nature of a wane。
〃You're a clever brute；〃 she said； suddenly； with an air of
affectionate regret； 〃I always knew you'd get on in the House； but
I hardly expected you to come to the front so soon。〃
〃I'm coming to the front；〃 admitted Youghal； judicially； 〃the
problem is； shall I be able to stay there。 Unless something
happens in the financial line before long； I don't see how I'm to
stay in Parliament at all。 Economy is out of the question。 It
would open people's eyes； I fancy； if they knew how little I exist
on as it is。 And I'm living so far beyond my income that we may
almost be said to be living apart。〃
〃It will have to be a rich wife； I suppose；〃 said Molly； slowly；
〃that's the worst of success； it imposes so many conditions。 I
rather knew； from something in your manner； that you were drifting
that way。〃
Youghal said nothing in the way of contradiction； he gazed
steadfastly at the aviary in front of him as though exotic
pheasants were for the moment the most absorbing study in the
world。 As a matter of fact； his mind was centred on the image of
Elaine de Frey； with her clear untroubled eyes and her Leonardo da
Vinci air。 He was wondering whether he was likely to fall into a
frame of mind concerning her which would be in the least like
falling in love。
〃I shall mind horribly；〃 continued Molly； after a pause； 〃but； of
course； I have always known that something of the sort would have
to happen one of these days。 When a man goes into politics he
can't call his soul his own； and I suppose his heart becomes an
impersonal possession in the same way。〃
〃Most people who know me would tell you that I haven't got a
heart；〃 said Youghal。
〃I've often felt inclined to agree with them；〃 said Molly； 〃and
then； now and again； I think you have a heart tucked away
somewhere。〃
〃I hope I have；〃 said Youghal； 〃because I'm trying to break to you
the fact that I think I'm falling in love with somebody。〃
Molly McQuade turned sharply to look at her companion； who still
fixed his gaze on the pheasant run in front of him。
〃Don't tell me you're losing your head over somebody useless；
someone without money；〃 she said； 〃I don't think I could stand
that。〃
For the moment she feared that Courtenay's selfishness might have
taken an unexpected turn； in which ambition had given way to the
fancy of the hour； he might be going to sacrifice his Parliamentary
career for a life of stupid lounging in momentarily attractive
company。 He quickly undeceived her。
〃She's got heaps of money。〃
Molly gave a grunt of relief。 Her affection for Courtenay had
produced the anxiety which underlay her first question； a natural
jealousy prompted the next one。
〃Is she young and pretty and all that sort of thing； or is she just
a good sort with a sympathetic manner and nice eyes？ As a rule
that's the kind that goes with a lot of money。〃
〃Young and quite good…looking in her way； and a distinct style of
her own。 Some people would call her beautiful。 As a political
hostess I should think she'd be splendid。 I imagine I'm rather in
love with her。〃
〃And is she in love with you？〃
Youghal threw back his head with the slight assertive movement that
Molly knew and liked。
〃She's a girl who I fancy would let judgment influence her a lot。
And without being stupidly conceited； I think I may say she might
do worse than throw herself away on me。 I'm young and quite good…
looking； and I'm making a name for myself in the House； she'll be
able to read all sorts of nice and horrid things about me in the
papers at breakfast…time。 I can be brilliantly amusing at times；
and I understand the value of silence； there is no fear that I
shall ever degenerate into that fearsome thing … a cheerful
talkative husband。 For a girl with money and social ambitions I
should think I was rather a good thing。〃
〃You are certainly in love； Courtenay；〃 said Molly； 〃but it's the
old love and not a new one。 I'm rather glad。 I should have hated
to have you head…over…heels in love with a pretty woman； even for a
short time。 You'll be much happier as it is。 And I'm going to put
all my feelings in the background； and tell you to go in and win。
You've got to marry a rich woman； and if she's nice and will make a
good hostess； so much the better for everybody。 You'll be happier
in your married life than I shall be in mine； when it comes； you'll
have other interests to absorb you。 I shall just have the garden
and dairy and nursery and lending library； as like as two peas to
all the gardens and dairies and nurseries for hundreds of miles
round。 You won't care for your wife enough to be worried every
time she has a finger…ache； and you'll like her well enough to be
pleased to meet her sometimes at your own house。 I shouldn't
wonder if you were quite happy。 She will probably be miserable；
but any woman who married you would be。〃
There was a short pause； they were both staring at the pheasant
cages。 Then Molly spoke again； with the swift nervous tone of a
general who is hurriedly altering the disposition of his forces for
a strategic retreat。
〃When you are safely married and honey…mooned and all that sort of
thing； and have put your wife through her paces as a political
hostess； some time； when the House isn't sitting； you must come
down by yourself； and do a little hunting with us。 Will you？ It
won't be quite the same as old times； but it will be something to
look forward to when I'm reading the endless paragraphs about your
fashionable political wedding。〃
〃You're looking forward pretty far；〃 laughed Youghal； 〃the lady may
take your view as to the probable unhappiness of a future shared
with me； and I may have to content myself with penurious political
bachelorhood。 Anyhow； the present is