ike the ostrich of fable I hid my head in the sands of
political excitement, hoping that the arrows of pestilence would pass us
by.

And yet, although I breathed no word of my fears to a living soul, in my
heart I was terribly afraid.

CHAPTER XII

THE SHADOW OF PESTILENCE

Very soon it became evident that the fight in Dunchester would be
severe, for the electorate, which for so many years had been my patient
servant, showed signs of rebelling against me and the principles I
preached. Whether the voters were moved by a desire for change, whether
they honestly disagreed with me, or whether a secret fear of the
smallpox was the cause of it, I do not know, but it is certain that
a large proportion of them began to look upon me and my views with
distrust.

At any other time this would not have caused me great distress; indeed
defeat itself would have had consolations, but now, when I appeared
to be on the verge of real political distinction, the mere thought of
failure struck me with dismay. To avoid it, I worked as I had not worked
for years. Meetings were held nightly, leaflets were distributed by
the ton, and every house in the city was industriously visited by my
canvassers, who were divided into bands and officers like a regiment.

The head of one of these bands was my daughter Jane, and never did a
candidate have a more able or enthusiastic lieutenant. She was gifted
with the true political instinct, which taught her what to say and what
to leave unsaid, when to press a point home and when to abandon it for
another; moreover, her personal charm and popularity fought for her
cause.

One evening, as she was coming home very tired after a long day's work
in the slums of the city, Jane arrived at the model cottages outside my
park gates. Having half an hour to spare, she determined to visit a few
of their occupants. Her second call was on the Smith family.

"I am glad to see you now as always, miss," said Mrs. Smith, "but we are
in trouble here."

"What, is little Tottie ill again?" Jane asked.

"No, miss, it isn't Tottie this time, it's the baby. She's got
convulsions, or something like it, and I've sent for Dr. Merchison.
Would you like to see her? She's lying in the front room."

Jane hesitated. She was tired and wanted to get home with her canvass
cards. But the woman looked tired too and in need of sympathy; possibly
also, for nature is nature, Jane hoped that if she lingered there a
little, withou