"You have already," continued the earl, "made for yourself some reputation as a poet; now tell me, have you ever turned your attention to politics?"
The young poet's face glowed again; it was so sweet to him, for her dear sake, this high hope of fame.
"I have studied the leading topics of the day," he replied, modestly.
"I know you have the gift of eloquence, and my first effort on your behalf shall be that you be returned a member for Anderley. The late member died a few weeks since, and I am repeatedly asked to put forward a candidate. You shall be that candidate, Earle Moray, and you shall succeed. When you are M. P. for Anderley, we will talk of the next step."
"I cannot thank you," said Earle, breathlessly; "it would be quite useless for me to try."
"In the meantime there is an appointment in London, in the civil service, vacant, and I think my influence can procure it for you. It will bring you in an income of seven or eight hundred pounds per annum. The expenses of the election will, of course, be mine."
Earle raised his hand to his head with a bewildered expression.
"I think," he said, "I must have had a fairy godmother."
"Genius is a fairy godmother," said the earl, laughingly. "We shall all be very happy, Earle. Doris is young—too young to marry yet; a year or two in the great world will not hurt her. I do not think anything will ever take her from you, Earle."
"I am sure of it, my lord. I have full faith in my love."