CROSS CURRENTS The intrigues which made Groote Schuur such a disagreeable place were always a source of intense wonder to me.

I could never understand their necessity.

Neither could I appreciate the kind of hypocrisy which induced Rhodes continually to affirm that he did not care to return to power, whilst in reality he longed to hold the reins again.

It would have been fatally easy for Rhodes, even after the hideous mistake of the Raid, to regain his political popularity; a little sincerity and a little truth were all that was needed.

Unfortunately, both these qualities were wanting in what was otherwise a really gifted nature.