ell you that if your name is connected with these
libel actions in any way your chance of election won't be worth two
pence. The Nationalist blackguards would make the most of it, of course,
and I don't see how our people could defend you without bringing the
parsons and Presbyterian ministers out like wasps.

"I have authoritatively denied that you have, or ever had, any
connection with or knowledge of the scurrilous print; so I beg that you
will at once withdraw the guarantee which I understand you have
given. If you don't do this my position, as well as your own, will be
infernally awkward. I wanted to get a hold of Beresford to-day, but
hear that he has gone to Iceland. Just like him I I thought I might
have bullied him into taking the responsibility and clearing you. The
Archdeacon won't. I tried him. Tollerton, who insisted on sitting next
me at luncheon in the club, says that you may be able to hush the thing
up by offering to build a new church for each of the bishops named. This
would cost thousands and cripple you for the rest of your life, so we
won't make any overtures in that direction till everything else fails.
Tollerton always makes the worst of everything. They say he has Bright's
disease. I shan't be sorry when he's gone; but if I have to go through
much more worry of this kind it's likely enough that he'll see me out."

With this letter was enclosed a small slip of paper bearing a message
which appeared to have been very hurriedly written.

"_Please_ do not be too angry with Lalage. I'm sure she did
not mean any harm. She is a very high-spirited girl, but
most affectionate. I'm _so_ sorry about it all especially
for your poor mother.

"Amelie Battersby."

Miss Battersby need not have made her appeal. Even if I had been very
angry with Lalage my uncle's letter would have softened my heart
toward her. She deserved well and not ill of me. The decision of the
Conservative and Unionist Parliamentary Association came on me as a
shock. I had no idea that my uncle was negotiating with them on my
behalf. If Lalage's _Gazette_ disgusted them with me and made it obvious
that I could not succeed as a candidate in the East Connor Division of
County Down I should be greatly pleased, and my ten pounds, or whatever
larger sum might be required to pacify the fiercest of the bishops,
would be very well spent.

I opened the Archdeacon's letter next. It was, with the exception of
Selby-Har