On the second day fortune was propitious.

Lord Dymchurch sat in his usual corner of the library, and, on Lashmar's approach, smiled his wonted greeting.

After preliminary gossip, Dyce commanded himself to courageous utterance.
"I have been asked to come forward as Liberal candidate for a little borough in the Midlands--Hollingford.

It's a Tory seat, and I don't know whether I shall stand any chance, but local people want to fight it, and they seem to think that I may be the man for them." As he spoke, he felt that he wore an expression new to his visage, a sort of smile which his lips had not the habit of framing.

Quite unconsciously, indeed, he had reproduced the smile of Mrs.Toplady; its ironic good-humour seemed to put him at ease, and to heighten his personal effectiveness.
"Hollingford ?" Lord Dymchurch reflected.