"  It  is  absolutely  necessary.  I  have  long
felt  it  to  be  so.  I  feel  it  is  a  duty  to  my
country  that  we  should  personally  examine
Malta."

"  Very  well,  papa,"  said  Yolande,  who  was
so  pleased  to  find  her  father  in  such  good

VOL.  I.  E


50  YOLANDE.  [chap.
humour  tJKit  she  forbore  to  protest,  even
though  she  was  vaguely  aware  that  the  con-
fidence of  the  electorate  of  Slagpool  was
again  being  abused  in  order  that  she  should
enjoy  another  long  and  idling  voyage,  with
the  only  companion  whom  she  cared  to  have
with  her.
The  Grahams  were  the  very  first  people
they  saw  when  they  reached  Oatlands.
