A Prince of Sinners

rilliancy, and a pianola. Mrs. Peter Bullsom, stout and shiny in black silk and a chatelaine, was dozing peacefully in a chair, with the latest novel from the circulat

sandy hair, a slight figure, and was considered by her family the essence of refinement, was struggling with a volume of Cowper, who had been recommended to her by a librarian with a sense o

sir, Louise and Selina." The ladies were gracious, but had the air of being taken by s

the chair, 'Padgett,' I said, 'mark my words, we're going to surprise the town. Mr. Henslow may not be the most popular candidate we've ever had, but he's on the right side, and those who think Radicalism has had its day in Medchester will be amazed.' And so they have been. I'

emarked, affably. "Supper

on precipitately, and his face e

s I said to Mr. Brooks when I asked him to drop in with me, there's su

Misses Bullsom, and already they had approved of him. He was distinctly of a different class f

easant smile. "My landlady has few faults, but an over-love of punctuality is one of them

eter," Mrs. Bullsom remarked,

up." What an abominable phrase! They looked covert

" Selina remarked, with an engaging smile. "We gave up ou

his arm to Mrs. Bullsom-a cour

tion of your thoughtfulness. I know nothing so stimulating to the appetite as

" Selina remarked, with a backward glance at the young man.

r. Bullsom announced. "No

o the dining-room. Mrs. Bullsom spread herself over her seat with a little sigh of relief. Brooks gazed in silent wo

e sirloin on his fork, and determining upon a point of attack. "We don't und

than roast beef," Brooks remarked, unfol

e you a good glass of wine. Ann, I think that if you look in the right-hand drawer of the

arefully placed it there a few hours ago, was not extraordinary-and

ards him in an engaging fashion, "that you are a grea

ks s

orrison's place, you know, as agent for Mr. Henslow. I have never done anything of t

by his position as chairman of the Radical committee. "Poor Morrison was past the job. It was partly through his mu

e girl with the tired eyes and self-contained manner interested him. T

he said, "that I met yo

on't think I danced with you, but

he said. "Wasn't it suppose

ged her s

e was the usual fault-too many girl

dancing, yourself,

ly any one there. I see a good deal of Kate som

osition as I was, then,

and at a dance that means everything. That is why I rather dislike danc

d deal to have been invited to the dance in question, but that

quite sure that when you go out with us you

he County Cricket Ball were full before we had b

eeth were perfect, and her complexion, notwithstanding its pallor, was faultless. She would have been strikingly good-loo

political meeting this evening, Miss Scott?

ook he

class on Wedne

he repeated

had been out of the conversa

" he explained. "Goes down into Medchester and teaches factory girl

ed him to precipitately abandon the conversation. But afterwards, while Selina was pedalling at the pian

ut your class," he said. "I have

zine, but left her

d we aim at nothing higher than an attempt to direct their taste in fiction. They bring their Free Library lists to us, and we

at I give free lectures on certain books or any simple literary subject on Wednesday evenings at the Secular Hall when thi

t," she answered, "and

ood of you t

ed her dumpy person in a seat by his side, and l

a terrible thing. I am going to show you

ards her without

I never drew a straight line in my life, and I know nothing what

ssly, and turned ove

and then you turn out such terrible critics. I d

tion which politeness demanded. But Selina came tripping acro

clared. "I am sure that Mr. Brooks' advice will be most valuable

clared, a little tartly. "Shall I be

laimed. "You know they're not nearly so good as so

with regretful eyes. Her simple gown, with the little piece of ribbon around her graceful neck, seemed almost distinguished by compari

"is quite unlike any of you.

ed up a lit

e is unlike any of us. It doesn't seem nice to complain about he

d, and dropp

declared. "She is becoming

and considered himself justified in pursuing th

as Selina; haven't you, dear? She never goes to parties if she can help it, she is positively rude to all our fri

er, and she was living quite alone in London when papa found her out and brought her

early every evening, although we have friends dropping in continually. Of course I don't believe in extravagance, but if a girl has relations who are gen

added, with a simper, "that although nobody can say that I am proud, there are times when I

ad recognized the art of her severely simple gown, smiled to

nks that absolute simplicity suit

r much-beaded sl

Mary does think," she

groaned inwardly, as the sketch-book fell open before him a