.

Meanwhile, it was necessary to knit and gather up all his thought,
courage, and presence of mind. How he shrunk from return to Lansmere
House,--from facing Egerton, Harley, all. But there was no choice. He
would have to make it up with the Blues,--to defend the course he had
adopted in the Committee-room. There, no doubt, was Squire Hazeldean
awaiting him with the purchase-money for the lands of Rood; there
was the Duke di Serrano, restored to wealth and honour; there was his
promised bride, the great heiress, on whom depended all that could
raise the needy gentleman into wealth and position. Gradually, with the
elastic temper that is essential to a systematic schemer, Randal Leslie
plucked himself from the pain of brooding over a plot that was defeated,
to prepare himself for consummating those that yet seemed so near
success. After all, should he fail in regaining Egerton's favour,
Egerton was of use no more. He might rear his head, and face out what
some might call "ingratitude," provided he could but satisfy the Blue
Committee. Dull dogs, how could he fail to do that! He could easily
talk over the Machiavellian sage. He should have small difficulty in
explaining all to the content of Audley's distant brother, the squire.
Harley alone--but Levy had so positively assured him that Harley was not
sincerely anxious for Egerton; and as to the more important explanation
relative to Peschiera, surely what had satisfied Violante's father ought
to satisfy a man who had no peculiar right to demand explanations at
all; and if these explanations did not satisfy, the onus to disprove
them must rest with Harley; and who or what could contradict Randal's
plausible assertions,--assertions in support of which he himself could
summon a witness in Baron Levy? Thus nerving himself to all that could
task his powers, Randal Leslie crossed the threshold of Lansmere House,
and in the hall he found the baron awaiting him.

"I can't account," said Levy, "for what has gone so cross in this
confounded election. It is L'Estrange that puzzles me; but I know that
he hates Egerton. I know that he will prove that hate by one mode of
revenge, if he has lost it in another. But it is well, Randal, that
you are secure of Hazeldean's money and the rich heiress's hand;
otherwise--"

"Otherwise, what?"

"I should wash my hands of you, mon cher; for, in spite of all your
cleverness, and all I have tried to do for you, somehow or other I
begin to sus