central figure.  He proposed to gather about him a representative company; not only would the Socialist leaders attend as a matter of course, invitations should also be sent to prominent men in the conventional lines of politics.  A speech from a certain Radical statesman, who could probably be induced to attend, would command the attention of the press.  For the sake of preliminary trumpetings in even so humble a journal as the ‘Belwick Chronicle,’ Mutimer put himself in communication with Mr. Keene.  That gentleman was now a recognised visitor at the house in Highbury; there was frequent mention of him in a close correspondence kept up between Richard and his sister at this time.  The letters which Alice received from Wanley were not imparted to the other members of the family; she herself studied them attentively, and with much apparent satisfaction.

For advice on certain details of the approaching celebration Richard had recourse to Mrs. Waltham.  He found her at home one rainy morning.  Adela, aware of his arrival, retreated to her little room upstairs.  Mrs. Waltham had a slight cold; it kept her close by the fireside, and encouraged confidential talk.

‘I have decided to invite about twenty people to lunch,’ Richard said.  ’Just the members of the committee and a few others.  It’ll be better than giving a dinner.  Westlake’s lecture will be over by four o’clock, and that allows people to get away in good time.  The workmen’s tea will be at half-past five.’

‘You must have refreshments of some kind for casual comers,’ counselled Mrs. Waltham.

’I’ve thought of that.  Rodman suggests that we shall get the “Wheatsheaf” people to have joints and that kind of thing in the refreshment-room at the Hall from half-past twelve to half-past one.  We could put up some notice to that effect in Agworth station.’

‘Certainly, and inside the railway carriages.’

Mutimer’s private line, which ran from the works to Agworth station, was to convey visitors to New Wanley on this occasion.

‘I think I shall have three or four ladies,’ Richard pursued ’Mrs. Westlake ‘ll be sure to come’, and I think Mrs. Eddlestone—­the wife of the Trades Union man, you know.  And I’ve been rather calculating on you, Mrs. Waltham; do you think you could—?’

The lady’s eyes were turned to the window, watching the sad steady rain.

‘Really, you’re making a downright Socialist of me, Mr. Mutimer,’ she replied, with a laugh which betrayed a touch of sore throat.  ’I’m half afraid to accept such an invitation.  Shouldn’t I be there on false pretences, don’t you think?’

Richard mused; his legs were crossed, and he swayed his foot up and down.

’Well, no, I can’t see that.  But I tell you what would make it simpler:  do you think Mr. Wyvern would come if I, asked him?’

’Ah, now, that would be capital!  Oh, ask Mr. Wyvern by all means.  Then, of course, I should be delighted to accept.’