Page:Robert Barr - Lord Stranleigh Philanthropist.djvu/207

 good deal of a fool other men of rank in England resemble me. Within my caste, as we seem agreed to call it, there are many whom I respect and admire; yes, and envy for their gifts in statesmanship. I do not sympathise with their opinions. I disbelieve in a hereditary house, and wish to see legislation by the Lords abolished. The money I hoped to donate was not intended for you personally, but to promote, in legitimate manner, of course, the reform we both have at heart."

The Right Honourable's alert mind gleamed from his eyes as he gazed across the table in amazement at his visitor. Could it be possible that his party, clutching everywhere for money to carry on a desperate warfare, had actually sandbagged the man who would have endowed it with a fortune so tremendous; a fortune which would have changed the feebly encroaching tide into an overwhelming flood?

"Do you mean to say," he cried, "that you are actually a Radical?"

Again Lord Stranleigh stammered.

"I-I-I don't exactly know how to label myself. I have always been rather mixed so far as opinions are concerned. For instance, although my views and yours coincide regarding the House of Lords,