finish his breakfast. Barbara approached him.

"Archibald, you will not suffer this man's insolent doings to deter you
from your plans--you will not withdraw?" she whispered.

"I think not, Barbara. He has thrust himself offensively upon me in this
measure; I believe my better plan will be to take no more heed of him
than I should of the dirt under my feet."

"Right--right," she answered, a proud flush deepening the rose on her
cheeks.

Mr. Carlyle was walking into West Lynne. There were the placards, sure
enough, side by side with his own, bearing the name of that wicked
coward who had done him the greatest injury one man can do to another.
Verily, he must possess a face of brass to venture there.

"Archibald, have you heard the disgraceful news?"

The speaker was Miss Carlyle, who had come down upon her brother like
a ship with all sails set. Her cheeks wore a flush; her eyes glistened;
her tall form was drawn up to its most haughty height.

"I have heard it, Cornelia, and, had I not, the walls would have
enlightened me."

"Is he out of his mind?"

"Out of his reckoning, I fancy," replied Mr. Carlyle.

"You will carry on the contest now," she continued, her countenance
flashing. "I was averse to it before, but I now withdraw all my
objection. You will be no brother of mine if you yield the field to
him."

"I do not intend to yield it."

"Good. You bear on upon your course, and let him crawl on upon his. Take
no more heed of him than if he were a viper. Archibald, you must canvass
now."

"No," said Mr. Carlyle, "I shall be elected without canvass. You'll see,
Cornelia."

"There will be plenty canvassing for you, if you don't condescend to
take the trouble, my indifferent brother. I'll give a thousand pounds
myself, for ale, to the electors."

"Take care," laughed Mr. Carlyle. "Keep your thousand pounds in your
pocket, Cornelia. I have no mind to be unseated, on the plea of 'bribery
and corruption.' Here's Sir John Dobede galloping in, with a face as red
as the sun in a fog."

"Well, it may be he has heard the news. I can tell you, Archibald, West
Lynne is in a state of excitement that has not been its lot for many a
day."

Miss Carlyle was right. Excitement and indignation had taken possession
of West Lynne. How the people rallied around Mr. Carlyle! Town and
country were alike up in arms. But government interest was rife at
West Lynne, and, whatever the private and public feeling might be,
coll