Into the midst of this chaos, Lady Ogram brings a directing mind, a beneficent spirit of initiative, and the means, the power, of re-establishing order.

The villagers have but to look at the old state of things and the new to learn a lesson which the thoughtful among them will apply in a wider sphere.

They know that Lady Ogram had no selfish aim, no wish to make profit out of their labour; that she acted purely and simply in the interests of humble folk--and of the world at large.

They see willing industry substituted for brutal or miserable indolence; they see a striking example of the principle of association, of solidarity--of perfect balance between the naturally superior and the naturally subordinate." "Good, very good!" murmured Mr.Gallantry.

"Eloquent!" "I admit the eloquence," said Mrs.Gallantry, smiling at Lashmar with much amiability, "but I really can't see why this lesson couldn't have been just as well taught by the measure that I proposed." "Let me show you why I think not," replied Dyce, who was now enjoying the sound of his own periods, and felt himself inspired by the general attention.