thought, twelve months ago, that I
should have dared to launch out so! Why, man, think of our
liabilities!"

"Yes," replied Paul, "but think of our success, too; think of our
assets! As you say, we've had a big year, but we must have a bigger
next year, and big years are not got by nibbling at things. We've got
this place for three months longer. At the end of that time we must
clear out."

"Clear out!"

"Ay, clear out. A hundred looms are no use to us now. We must
multiply them by eight."

"Why, Paul, you must be mad!"

"No, I've gone into it all. Mind you, this is no speculation which I
have in my mind. It may seem like it, but I have calculated everything
to a nicety. I've made inquiries at the bank, and I know to a penny
how we stand, and what the bank will back us for. And I've been making
inquiries about Thorncliffe Mill."

Preston looked at Paul as though he had doubts about his sanity.
"Thorncliffe Mill," he replied. "Why, it's one of the biggest places
in Brunford!"

"I mean not only to have one of the biggest places, but the biggest
place," said Paul. And although he did not mention the fact to
Preston, he knew that his new-found ambition was associated with the
meeting of Mr. Bolitho's daughter a year before.

The other event, which happened that day, was entirely different. He
had moved into larger rooms, and his surroundings were now more
congenial to his taste. It was evident, too, that Paul knew the value
of a good tailor, so much so that more than one young manufacturer
declared that he was the best-dressed man in Brunford. When Paul
returned to his lodgings that night he found four men awaiting him.
Wondering as to what their visit meant, he asked them to sit down, and
then waited for them to state their business. One of these men was the
secretary of the Weavers' Union, whom we have mentioned earlier in
these pages, another was the chairman of the Working Men's League, a
powerful political body in the town.

"Well, what is it?" asked Paul, noticing that they hesitated.

"You know, I suppose, that Mr. Carcliffe is resigning? He was returned
to Parliament four years ago, but he's had enough of it, it seems."

"Yes, I heard about it," said Paul.

"Well, now's our chance," continued one of the men.

"You mean that you're going to return a working-man?" said Paul.

"Well, I don't know so much about that," was the reply. "But we want
to return a man who understands us, wh