here were no immediate signs that
an election would take place, but each knew that they must be ready
when the time came. Mr. Bolitho held crowded meetings in various parts
of the constituency, and, according to newspaper reports, was
enthusiastically received. This, however, was to be expected. There
were fifteen thousand voters on the lists, and Mr. Carcliffe, whom Mr.
Bolitho sought to succeed, had at the last election obtained over a
thousand majority. Paul also addressed several meetings, which were
largely attended, and his supporters spoke to him very confidently
about the result. But Paul was not satisfied; he could not help
noticing that a subtle change was coming over the town. His
experiences of a year ago, and the tremendous enthusiasm which they had
raised on his behalf were practically forgotten. His imprisonment was
a thing of the past, and the share which Mr. Bolitho had taken in it
was no longer very seriously considered. Paul was not long in
attributing this change to its real cause. For one thing, he was being
constantly met with rumours about his birth. He knew that the artisans
of the North, while professing advanced democratic views, were
nevertheless influenced by such things. More than once he had been
asked what his father did, where he lived, where his mother and father
were married, and where he had been born? And presently, when it was
rumoured that he had been born in a workhouse, Paul could not help
feeling that a subtle force was at work. In addition to this, too, he
heard that Mr. Bolitho's daughter had been visiting among the poorer
streets in the town, and that on every hand she had been winning golden
opinions. It seemed to him from what he had heard that there was a
kind of witchcraft in her presence, and that many who had been among
his great admirers, and promised supporters, now seemed to think that
the other side had a great deal to say. Paul quickly discovered, too,
that this girl was no ordinary canvasser. She had been able to meet
the working-class politician on his own grounds, and to answer him very
effectively. Everyone who has taken part in a political contest knows
the influence which a young, educated, intelligent and beautiful girl
can wield, and she had gone into the people's cottages and talked, not
only with the women, but with the men. She had caught, too, the rough
humour of the district, and had acquainted herself with the peculiar
needs and desire