r two,' said he.

'You are very self-confident, but I find I am not fit for battle; at
least not in the front ranks.'

'Nerve me, then: will you? Try to comprehend once for all what the
battle is.'

'I am afraid I am too indifferent; I am too luxurious. That reminds
me: you want to meet your uncle Everard and if you will sleep at Mount
Laurels to-night, the Esperanza shall take you to France to-morrow
morning, and can wait to bring you back.'

As she spoke she perceived a flush mounting over Nevil's face. Soon it
was communicated to hers.

The strange secret of the blood electrified them both, and revealed the
burning undercurrent running between them from the hearts of each. The
light that showed how near they were to one another was kindled at the
barrier dividing them. It remained as good as a secret, unchallenged
until they had separated, and after midnight Cecilia looked through
her chamber windows at the driving moon of a hurricane scud, and read
clearly his honourable reluctance to be wafted over to his French
love by her assistance; and Beauchamp on board the tossing steamboat
perceived in her sympathetic reddening that she had divined him.

This auroral light eclipsed the other events of the day. He drove into
a town royally decorated, and still humming with the ravishment of
the Tory entrance. He sailed in the schooner to Mount Laurels, in the
society of Captain Baskelett and his friends, who, finding him tamer
than they expected, bantered him in the cheerfullest fashion. He waited
for his uncle Everard several hours at Mount Laurels, perused the
junior Tory's address to the Electors, throughout which there was not an
idea--safest of addresses to canvass upon! perused likewise, at Captain
Baskelett's request, a broad sheet of an article introducing the new
candidate to Bevisham with the battle-axe Romfreys to back him, in high
burlesque of Timothy Turbot upon Beauchamp: and Cecil hoped his cousin
would not object to his borrowing a Romfrey or two for so pressing
an occasion. All very funny, and no doubt the presence of Mr. Everard
Romfrey would have heightened the fun from the fountain-head; but he
happened to be delayed, and Beauchamp had to leave directions behind him
in the town, besides the discussion of a whole plan of conduct with Dr.
Shrapnel, so he was under the necessity of departing without seeing his
uncle, really to his regret. He left word to that effect.

Taking leave of Cecilia, he talke