n fog was gathering over the streets, blending
itself with the falling shades of night. The forms of men loomed large
through the mist. The lights from the shops looked red and lurid.
Loungers usually careless as to politics were talking eagerly and
anxiously of King, Lords, Commons, "Constitution at stake," "Triumph
of liberal opinions,"--according to their several biases. Hearing, and
scorning--unsocial, isolated--walked on Harley L'Estrange. With his
direr passions had been roused up all the native powers that made
them doubly dangerous. He became proudly conscious of his own great
faculties, but exulted in them only so far as they could minister to the
purpose which had invoked them.

"I have constituted myself a Fate," he said inly; "let the gods be but
neutral, while I weave the meshes. Then, as Fate itself when it has
fulfilled its mission, let me pass away into shadow, with the still and
lonely stride that none may follow,--

"'Oh, for a lodge in some vast wilderness.'

"How weary I am of this world of men!" And again the cry "Great
News--National Crisis--Dissolution of Parliament--Great News!" rang
through the jostling throng. Three men, arm-in-arm, brushed by Harley,
and were stopped at the crossing by a file of carriages. The man in
the centre was Audley Egerton. His companions were an ex-minister like
himself, and one of those great proprietors who are proud of being above
office, and vain of the power to make and unmake Governments.

"You are the only man to lead us, Egerton," said this last personage.
"Do but secure your seat, and as soon as this popular fever has passed
away, you must be something more than the leader of Opposition,--you
must be the first man in England."

"Not a doubt of that," chimed in the fellow ex-minister, a worthy man,
perfect red-tapist, but inaudible in the reporters' gallery. "And your
election is quite safe, eh? All depends on that. You must not be thrown
out at such a time, even for a month or two. I hear that you will have
a contest--some townsmen of the borough, I think. But the Lansmere
interest must be all-powerful; and I suppose L'Estrange will come out
and canvass for you. You are not the man to have lukewarm friends!"

"Don't be alarmed about my election. I am as sure of that as of
L'Estrange's friendship."

Harley heard, with a grim smile, and passing his hand within his vest,
laid it upon Nora's memoir.

"What could we do in parliament without you?" s