ight of spending
it.

"Well, old woman," said John Avenel, "I must be off presently to see to
those three shaky voters in Fish Lane; they will have done their work
soon, and I shall catch 'em at home. They do say as how we may have an
opposition; and I know that old Smikes has gone to Lonnon in search of
a candidate. We can't have the Lansmere Constitutional Blues beat by a
Lonnoner! Ha, ha, ha!"

"But you will be home before Jane and her husband Mark come? How ever
she could marry a common carpenter!"

"Yes," said John, "he is a carpenter; but he has a vote, and that
strengthens the family interest. If Dick was not gone to Amerikay, there
would be three on us. But Mark is a real good Blue! A Lonnoner, indeed!
a Yellow from Lonnon beat my Lord and the Blues! Ha, ha!"

"But, John, this Mr. Egerton is a Lonnoner!"

"You don't understand things, talking such nonsense. Mr. Egerton is the
Blue candidate, and the Blues are the Country Party; therefore how can
he be a Lonnoner? An uncommon clever, well-grown, handsome young man,
eh! and my young Lord's particular friend."

Mrs. Avenel sighed.

"What are you sighing and shaking your head for?"

"I was thinking of our poor, dear, dear Nora!"

"God bless her!" cried John, heartily.

There was a rustle under the boughs of the old hollow-hearted
pollard-tree.

"Ha, ha! Hark! I said that so loud that I have startled the ravens!"

"How he did love her!" said Mrs. Avenel, thoughtfully. "I am sure he
did; and no wonder, for she looks every inch a lady; and why should not
she be my lady, after all?"

"He? Who? Oh, that foolish fancy of yours about my young Lord? A prudent
woman like you!--stuff! I am glad my little beauty is gone to Lonnon,
out of harm's way."

"John, John, John! No harm could ever come to my Nora. She 's too pure
and too good, and has too proper a pride in her, to--"

"To listen to any young lords, I hope," said John; "though," he added,
after a pause, "she might well be a lady too. My Lord, the young one,
took me by the hand so kindly the other day, and said, 'Have not you
heard from her--I mean Miss Avenel--lately?' and those bright eyes of
his were as full of tears as--as--as yours are now."

"Well, John, well; go on."

"That is all. My Lady came up, and took me away to talk about the
election; and just as I was going, she whispered, 'Don't let my wild boy
talk to you about that sweet girl of yours. We must both see that she
does not come to d