The Man in Possession — page 167: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

162 THE MAN IN POSSESSION. repetition enforced by the codes of the world you live in —whenr you grow sick of pretence, and long to lay aside the armour which position bids you gird on— when life, as you honestly and clearly regard it, seems but a sickening and humiliating repetition of all that is unworthy and commonplace. ” ‘Those sentiments,” resumed the dowager, ‘‘ may be all very well for our Radicals and Socialists—and such like people, but, really, Miss O’Brien, they sound very extraordinary on the lips of a young lady. But perhaps your Irish sympathies are accountable for it. I hope you are not going to turn our dear Sir Wilfred from the safe and honourable paths of conservatism. We should never forgive you.” Lady Westmoreland was a Primrose Dame, and believed that her party was the only one who had ever done or ever could do anything for the country or its political welfare. It is a fallacy which most ‘“parties ” accept as a truth; otherwise, indeed, they might grow discouraged, and the world would then suffer exceedingly. ‘‘T assure you I shall not attempt to influence Sir Wilfred’s political opinions. Indeed, I was not aware he had any,” said Kate icily. ‘‘Qh, yes, my dear,” said Lady Jocelyn. ‘‘ He is a true and staunch upholder of the Conservative party. I only wish he would stand himself, but I could never persuade him.” Kate smiled. She could not help it. Lady West- moreland noted the smile, and disliked her all the more for it. ‘‘T hope Lady Jocelyn will persuade you to join COMNMUC NOO <Sii C(O)