luence of his own mind.

Then, in the midst of the election, one evening in July, Coningsby,
catching up a third edition of the "Sun," was startled by the word
"Dartford" in large type. Below it were the headlines:

"Extraordinary Affair! Withdrawal of the Liberal Candidate! Two Tory
Candidates in the Field!"

Mr. Millbank, at the last moment, had retired, and had persuaded his
supporters to nominate Harry Coningsby in his place. The fight was
between Coningsby and Rigby.

Oswald Millbank, who had just been returned to parliament, came up to
London; and from him, as they travelled to Dartford, Coningsby grasped
the change of events. Sidonia had explained to Lady Wallinger the cause
of Coningsby's disinheritance. Lady Wallinger had told Oswald and Edith;
and Oswald had urged on his father the recognition of his friend's
affection for his sister.

On his own impulse Mr. Millbank decided that Coningsby should contest
Dartford.

Mr. Rigby was beaten; and Coningsby arrived at Dartford in time to
receive the cheers of thousands. From the hustings he gave his first
address to a public assembly; and by general agreement no such speech
had ever been heard in the borough before.

Early in the autumn Harry and Edith were married at Millbank, and they
passed their first moon at Hellingsley.

The death of Flora, who had bequeathed the whole of her fortune to the
husband of Edith, took place before the end of the year, hastened by the
fatal inheritance which disturbed her peace and embittered her days,
haunting her heart with the recollection that she had been the
instrument of injuring the only being whom she loved.

Coningsby passed his next Christmas in his own hall, with his beautiful
and gifted wife by his side, and surrounded by the friends of his heart
and his youth.

The young couple stand now on the threshold of public life. What will be
their fate? Will they maintain in august assemblies and high places the
great truths, which, in study and in solitude, they have embraced? Or
will vanity confound their fortunes, and jealousy wither their
sympathies?

* * * * *

Sybil, or the Two Nations

"Sybil, or the Two Nations" was published in 1845, a year
after "Coningsby," and in it the novelist "considered the
condition of the people." The author himself, writing in 1870
of this novel, said: "At that time the Chartist agitation was
still fresh in the