erest I take in her welfare, for his sake and
her own; believing, also, that some services to herself, as well as
to the father she so loves, give me a certain influence over her
inexperienced judgment, he has even requested me to speak a word to her
in your behalf!"

"Ah, if you would!" said Randal, surprised.

"You must give me the power to do so. You were obliging enough to
volunteer to me the same explanations which you gave to the duke, his
satisfaction with which induced him to renew or confirm the promise of
his daughter's hand. Should those explanations content me, as they did
him, I hold the duke bound to fulfil his engagement, and I am convinced
that his daughter would, in that case, not be inflexible to your suit.
But, till such explanations be given, my friendship for the father,
and my interest in the child, do not allow me to assist a cause which,
however, at present suffers little by delay."

"Pray, listen at once to those explanations."

"Nay, Mr. Leslie, I can now only think of the election. As soon as that
is over, rely on it you shall have the amplest opportunity to dispel any
doubts which your intimacy with Count di Peschiera and Madame di Negra
may have suggested.--a propos of the election, here is a list of voters
you must see at once in Fish Lane. Don't lose a moment."

In the mean while, Richard Avenel and Leonard had taken up their
quarters in the hotel appropriated to the candidates for the Yellows;
and the canvass on that side was prosecuted with all the vigour which
might be expected from operations conducted by Richard Avenel, and
backed by the popular feeling.

The rival parties met from time to time in the streets and lanes, in
all the pomp of war,--banners streaming, fifes resounding (for bands and
colours were essential proofs of public spirit, and indispensable
items in a candidate's bills, in those good old days). When they thus
encountered, very distant bows were exchanged between the respective
chiefs; but Randal, contriving ever to pass close to Avenel, had ever
the satisfaction of perceiving that gentleman's countenance contracted
into a knowing wink, as much as to say, "All right, in spite of this
tarnation humbug."

But now that both parties were fairly in the field, to the private arts
of canvassing were added the public arts of oratory. The candidates had
to speak, at the close of each day's canvass, out from wooden boxes,
suspended from the windows of their respective