said not a word until he had reconducted his visitor into his den
of destruction, all gleaming with spoliaria in rosewood. Then he said
this: "If, Lord L'Estrange, you seek but revenge on Audley Egerton, you
need not have uttered those threats. I too--hate the man."

Harley looked at him wistfully, and the nobleman felt a pang that he
had debased himself into a single feeling which the usurer could
share. Nevertheless, the interview appeared to close with satisfactory
arrangements, and to produce amicable understanding. For as the baron
ceremoniously followed Lord L'Estrange through the hall, his noble
visitor said, with marked affability,

"Then I shall see you at Lansmere with Mr. Egerton, to assist in
conducting his election. It is a sacrifice of your time worthy of your
friendship; not a step farther, I beg. Baron, I have the honour to wish
you good-evening."

As the street door opened on Lord L'Estrange he again found himself
face to face with Randal Leslie, whose hand was already lifted to the
knocker.

"Ha, Mr. Leslie!--you too a client of Baron Levy's,--a very useful,
accommodating man."

Randal stared and stammered. "I come in haste from the House of Commons
on Mr. Egerton's business. Don't you hear the newspaper vendors crying
out 'Great News, Dissolution of Parliament'?"

"We are prepared. Levy himself consents to give us the aid of his
talents. Kindly, obliging, clever person!" Randal hurried into Levy's
study, to which the usurer had shrunk back, and was now wiping his brow
with his scented handkerchief, looking heated and haggard, and very
indifferent to Randal Leslie.

"How is this?" cried Randal. "I come to tell you first of Peschiera's
utter failure, the ridiculous coxcomb, and I meet at your door the
last man I thought to find there,--the man who foiled us all, Lord
L'Estrange. What brought him to you? Ah, perhaps his interest in
Egerton's election?"

"Yes," said Levy, sulkily. "I know all about Peschiera. I cannot talk to
you now; I must make arrangements for going to Lansmere."

"But don't forget my purchase from Thornhill. I shall have the money
shortly from a surer source than Peschiera."

"The squire?"

"Or a rich father-in-law."

In the mean while, as Lord L'Estrange entered Bond Street, his ears were
stunned by vociferous cries from the Stentors employed by "Standard,"
"Sun," and "Globe,"

--"Great News! Dissolution of Parliament--Great News!" The gas-lamps
were lighted; a brow