Angleby received Bessie Fairfax with a gracious affability, and if
Bessie had desired to avail herself of the privilege there was a cheek
offered her to kiss, but she did not appear to see it. Her mind was
running on that boy, and her countenance was blithe as sunshine. Mr.
Laurence Fairfax came forward to shake hands, and Mr. John Short
respectfully claimed her acquaintance. They were in a smaller room,
adjoining the committee-room, where the majority of the gentlemen had
assembled, and Bessie said to Miss Burleigh, "We should see and hear
better in Miss Jocund's window;" but Miss Burleigh showed her that Miss
Jocund's window was already filled, and that the gathering on the
pavement was increasing. Soon after twelve it increased fast, with the
workmen halting during a few minutes of their hour's release for dinner,
but it never became a crowd, and the affair was much flatter than Bessie
had expected. The new candidate was introduced by Mr. Oliver Smith, who
spoke very briefly, and then made way for the candidate himself. Bessie
could not see Mr. Cecil Burleigh, nor hear his words, but she observed
that he was listened to, and jeeringly questioned only twice, and on
both occasions his answer was received with cheers.

"You will read his speech in the _Norminster Gazette_ on Saturday, or he
will tell you the substance of it," Miss Burleigh said. "Extremes meet
in politics as in other things, and much of Cecil's creed will suit the
root-and-branch men as well as the fanatics of his own party." Bessie
wondered a little, but said nothing; she had thought moderation Mr.
Cecil Burleigh's characteristic.

A school of young ladies passed without difficulty behind the scanty
throng, and five minutes after the speaking was over the street was
empty.

"Buller was not there," said Mr. John Short to Mr. Oliver Smith, and
from the absence of mirth amongst the gentlemen, Bessie conjectured that
there was a general sense of failure and disappointment.

Mr. Cecil Burleigh preserved his dignified composure, and came up to
Bessie, who said, "This is only the beginning?"

"Only the beginning--the real work is all to do," said he, and entered
into a low-toned exposition thereof quite calmly.

It was at this moment that Mr. John Short, happening to cast an eye upon
the two, received one of those happy inspirations that visit in
emergency men of superior resources and varied experience. At Lady
Angleby's behest the pretty ladies in blu