Page:Tales of John Oliver Hobbes.djvu/331

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been validated.
A Study in Temptations.
315

sacrifice is the only sure foundation for permanent success."

"H'm," said the Dowager; " very high-minded and most interesting. But the British Constitution does not present any opportunities for martyrdom; at present, no politician can be offered a worse humiliation than a peerage! But that is bad enough, I admit! I have once or twice thought very seriously of dropping my title; it has lost all meaning, and now it is so much more distinguished to be a commoner! But come, I want to introduce you to Jane. She will be charmed with your views; she, too, is full of heroic nonsense."

Jane was still playing when the Dowager and Warbeck came upon her.

"This," said the Dowager, "is your cousin Warbeck."