or at the window, or forbear
to shout with the shouting mob.

Henry seemed as much interested as any of us; he was
continually going backwards and forwards from the poll to the
inn: he won even my uncle's heart, by the look of dismay with
which he brought, at one moment, the news that our antagonists
were unexpectedly getting ahead of us, and the burst of joy
with which, towards one o'clock on the second day, he dashed
into the room with the account of Edward's triumphant return
by a considerable majority. His face had worn a look of
zealous anxiety during the hours when the result had been
doubtful; and, not my uncle, in all the gratification of party
spirit, and of successful influence; nor myself, when I saw
Edward chaired and cheered, and extolled to the skies; were
more intensely pleased, or more wildly gay, than Henry.

I was bent upon hearing Edward speak in the Town-hall, and
insisted upon going there with Henry and Alice. Mr. Middleton
made some objections to this, but I overruled them all; and
soon I found myself in a kind of gallery, which had been
hastily adorned with flags and ribbons of our political and
family colours.

As I bowed, in return to the bursts of cheering which greeted
me, at once as a bride, and as the wife of the successful
candidate; as I looked upon that dense mass of human beings,
who were all vociferating the name I loved, and calling for
long life to him whom I adored,--never before having witnessed
a scene of popular excitement, I felt carried out of myself by
the tumultuous agitation of that moment. I felt that the eyes
of the multitude were upon me; and, for the first time in my
life, I felt certain and glad that I was handsome.

There ran a murmur of applause through the crowd; the air was
rent by cries of "Long live Middleton's bride! Long live the
bride of Elmsley!" and, as Edward walked into the hall, and
looked up at the gallery where I was, the smile that lighted
up his features, and the earnest gaze which he fixed upon me
for an instant before he began to speak, conveyed to me more
than any words could have done, that the beauty which had
excited the enthusiasm of the mob reigned over his heart, and
captivated his proud spirit.

He began to speak: I mechanically seized Henry's hand, while I
listened with breathless attention. His first words were
uttered slowly; but they were well chosen, and well applied.
Gradually he warmed with his subject; and, in the summary
wh