“I think I recollect you used to talk politics when you were a midshipman,” she said. “You headed the aristocracy, did you not?”

“The aristocracy wants a head,” said Beauchamp.

“Parliament, in my opinion, is the best of occupations for idle men,” said she.

“It shows that it is a little too full of them.”

“Surely the country can go on very well without so much speech-making?”

“It can go on very well for the rich.”

Miss Halkett tapped with her foot.

“I should expect a Radical to talk in that way, Nevil.”

“Take me for one.”

“I would not even imagine it.”