ss as Bennett had
been of the younger man's explanations.

So that during that day and the next, Bennett went about contradicting,
championing, explaining; while Wharton, laden with parliamentary
business, vivid, unabashed, and resourceful, let it be known to all whom
it concerned that in his solicitor's opinion he had a triumphant answer
to all charges; and that meanwhile no one could wonder at the soreness
of those poor devils of shareholders.

The hours passed on. Wednesday was mainly spent by Wharton in a series
of conferences and intrigues either at the House or at his club; when he
drove home exhausted at night he believed that all was arranged--the
train irrevocably laid, and his nomination to the chairmanship of the
party certain.

Wilkins and six or seven others would probably prove irreconcilable; but
the vehemence and rancour shown by the great Nehemiah during the summer
in the pursuit of his anti-Wharton campaign had to some extent defeated
themselves. A personal grudge in the hands of a man of his type is not a
formidable weapon. Wharton would have felt perfectly easy on the subject
but for some odd bits of manner on Wilkins's part during the last
forty-eight hours--whenever, in fact, the two men had run across each
other in the House--marked by a sort of new and insolent good humour,
that puzzled him. But there is a bravado of defeat. Yes!--he thought
Wilkins was disposed of.

From his present point of ease--debts paid, banker propitiated, income
assured--it amazed him to look back on his condition of a fortnight
before. Had the Prince of Darkness himself offered such a bargain it
must have been accepted. After all his luck had held! Once get through
this odious company business--as to which, with a pleasing
consciousness of turning the tables, he had peremptorily instructed Mr.
Pearson himself--and the barque of his fortunes was assured.

Then, with a quick turn of the mind, he threw the burden of affairs from
him. His very hopefulness and satisfaction had softened his mood. There
stole upon him the murmurs and voices of another world of thought--a
world well known to his versatility by report, though he had as a rule
small inclination to dwell therein. But he was touched and shaken
to-night by his own achievement. The heavenly powers had been
unexpectedly kind to him, and he was half moved to offer them something
in return.

"Do as you are done by"--that was an ethic he understood. And in moments