we
shall be the laughing-stock of the borough."

"Softly, softly," said Harley. "There is a knock at the door behind.
Excuse me."

Harley quitted the room, but only for a minute or two. On his return he
addressed himself to Randal.

"Are we then to understand, Mr. Leslie, that your intention is not to
resign?"

"Unless your Lordship actually urge me to the contrary, I should say,
Let the election go on, and all take our chance. That seems to me the
fair, manly, ENGLISH [great emphasis on the last adjective], honourable
course."

"Be it so," replied Harley; "'let all take their chance.' Mr. Leslie,
we will no longer detain you. Go back to the polling-place,--one of the
candidates should be present; and you, Baron Levy, be good enough to go
also, and return thanks to those who may yet vote for Mr. Egerton."

Levy bowed, and went out arm-in-arm with Randal. "Capital, capital,"
said the baron. "You have a wonderful head."

"I did not like L'Estrange's look, nevertheless. But he can't hurt me
now; the votes he got for me instead of for Egerton have already polled.
The Committee, indeed, may refuse to vote for me; but then there is
Avenel's body of reserve. Yes, the election is virtually over. When we
get back, Hazeldean will have arrived with the money for the purchase of
my ancestral property; Dr. Riccabocca is already restored to the estates
and titles of Serrano; what do I care further for Lord L'Estrange?
Still, I do not like his look."

"Pooh, you have done just what he wished. I am forbidden to say more.
Here we are at the booth. A new placard since we left. How are the
numbers? Avenel forty ahead of you; you thirty above Egerton; and
Leonard Fairfield still last on the poll. But where are Avenel and
Fairfield?" Both those candidates had disappeared, perhaps gone to their
own Committee-room.

Meanwhile, as soon as the doors had closed on Randal and the baron,
in the midst of the angry hubbub succeeding to their departure, Lord
L'Estrange sprang upon the table. The action and his look stilled every
sound.

"Gentlemen, it is in our hands to return one of our candidates, and to
make our own choice between the two. You have heard Mr. Leslie and Baron
Levy. To their statement I make but this reply,--Mr. Egerton is needed
by the country; and whatever his health or his affairs, he is ready to
respond to that call. If he has not canvassed, if he does not appear
before you at this moment, the services of more tha