vanced member of the Liberal
party, and he regarded the proposition when coming from Mr.
Daubeny as a horrible and abnormal birth. He, however, was only a
looker-on,--could be no more than a looker-on for the existing short
session. It had already been decided that the judge who was to try
the case at Tankerville should visit that town early in January; and
should it be decided on a scrutiny that the seat belonged to our
hero, then he would enter upon his privilege in the following Session
without any further trouble to himself at Tankerville. Should this
not be the case,--then the abyss of absolute vacuity would be open
before him. He would have to make some disposition of himself, but he
would be absolutely without an idea as to the how or where. He was in
possession of funds to support himself for a year or two; but after
that, and even during that time, all would be dark. If he should get
his seat, then again the power of making an effort would at last be
within his hands.

He had made up his mind to spend the Christmas with Lord Brentford
and Lady Laura Kennedy at Dresden, and had already fixed the day of
his arrival there. But this had been postponed by another invitation
which had surprised him much, but which it had been impossible for
him not to accept. It had come as follows:--

November 9th, Loughlinter.

DEAR SIR,

I am informed by letter from Dresden that you are in
London on your way to that city with the view of spending
some days with the Earl of Brentford. You will, of course,
be once more thrown into the society of my wife, Lady
Laura Kennedy.

I have never understood, and certainly have never
sanctioned, that breach of my wife's marriage vow which
has led to her withdrawal from my roof. I never bade her
go, and I have bidden her return. Whatever may be her
feelings, or mine, her duty demands her presence here,
and my duty calls upon me to receive her. This I am and
always have been ready to do. Were the laws of Europe
sufficiently explicit and intelligible I should force her
to return to my house,--because she sins while she remains
away, and I should sin were I to omit to use any means
which the law might place in my hands for the due control
of my own wife. I am very explicit to you although we
have of late been strangers, because in former days you
were closely acquainted with the condition of my family
affairs.

Sin