Dorothy Eden Read Online Free PDF

true. And yet she was deeply irrevocably sure that it was true. A woman’s instinct in these things never failed. Perhaps a man’s didn’t either. For he had the temerity to lay his hand briefly over hers as the lights went down.
    “Perhaps it’s even possible to turn illusions into realities,” he said, under cover of the orchestra beginning to tune up. “I have never believed anything impossible.” He paused a moment and then asked abruptly, “Are you ever in the House? Do you ever sit in the Ladies’ Gallery?”
    “No. But now my husband is in Parliament, perhaps I will.”
    “Then I will look for you. Well now, what have we in the next act?”
    The next act … Aunt Ben accepted as perfectly natural and admirable Katharine’s sudden intention to take an interest in politics. She should, of course, be interested in her husband’s new profession. It might even happen that Willie surprised them both and proved himself an able politician. He had always had wit and a sharp, if lazy intelligence.
    “It’s time someone did something for that tragic Ireland. It will have to be an Irishman, since no one in England will. We did begin to get a little interested during the great famine. I organised funds for soup kitchens myself. But then people said the stories of so many dying from hunger were exaggerated. The Irish always did exaggerate. So we began to forget about them again, to our undying shame. I think perhaps we English have always found them too excessive in everything, their religion, their poverty, their legends, their martyrs, even their dying. So tiresome, turning a perfectly natural event into a melodrama. Remember, Katharine, I want no fuss. No candles, no mourners. I just want to disappear, like a little melting snow. But being excessive in their ways doesn’t excuse us for neglecting them.” Although Aunt Ben seemed to ramble, flitting sharply from one subject to another, none of her remarks was idle. Katharine had learned to listen attentively. “And if they’re disorderly it’s only because they need a strong leader. Someone not disorderly. I suppose that would be too much to hope for, from that country.”
    “Not too much at all, Aunt Ben. I believe they already have one.”
    “I expect you mean young Mr. Parnell. But he was very rude, not coming to your dinner party.”
    “He hadn’t opened my letter. I told you that. And he did come the next time.”
    Aunt Ben gave her her bland gaze. “Ah, yes, I see you have forgiven him. Mr. Meredith was reading to me about him yesterday. He’s being very provoking in the House. How splendid. Willie must take some lessons from him. Perhaps you ought to encourage him, Katharine.”
    Katharine said quietly, “That’s exactly what I intend to do, Aunt Ben. One day I’ll bring him to visit you.”
    “Yes, do that, dear. I always remember Daniel O’Connell’s fine presence. Has Mr. Parnell a presence, or is he still too young?”
    “I think he has an exceptional presence.”
    “How very interesting. Do you think he has the ability to get the better of Mr. Gladstone? I confess I would enjoy that. Mr. Gladstone, in my opinion, is too conceited by far. I am glad the Queen sets him back occasionally. Katharine dear, are you going?”
    “I must, Aunt Ben, if I’m to see the children before they begin their afternoon lessons. And then I thought I might slip into town to listen to the debate on the new Land Act. I believe you may realise your hopes, Mr. Parnell may well get the better of Mr. Gladstone. If not this year, certainly the next.”
    “How nice, dear child. It’s plain whose side you are on. I expect it’s simply that you don’t care for poor Mr. Gladstone’s white hairs. Run along then, and tell me about it tomorrow.”
    On her first visit, looking down from the Ladies’ Gallery, she thought she would have to search for him on the Irish benches. But by some uncanny instinct her eyes went directly to him and at the same moment his