assed through her brain--all the history of their
lives; from the nursery to this proud moment, proud even with all its
searching anxiety. And yet the period of silence could be counted almost
by seconds. Suddenly she looked up with a flushed cheek and a dazed
look, and said, "It must be done."

Lady Montfort sprang forward with a glance radiant with hope and energy,
and kissed her on both cheeks. "Dearest Lady Roehampton," she exclaimed,
"dearest Myra! I knew you would agree with me. Yes! it must be done."

"You will see him perhaps before I do?" inquired Myra rather
hesitatingly.

"I see him every day at the same time," replied Lady Montfort. "He
generally walks down to the House of Commons with Mr. Wilton, and when
they have answered questions, and he has got all the news of the lobby,
he comes to me. I always manage to get home from my drive to give him
half an hour before dinner."

CHAPTER LXVI

Lady Montfort drove off to the private residence of the Secretary of
the Treasury, who was of course in the great secret. She looked over his
lists, examined his books, and seemed to have as much acquaintance with
electioneering details as that wily and experienced gentleman himself.
"Is there anything I can do?" she repeatedly inquired; "command me
without compunction. Is it any use giving any parties? Can I write any
letters? Can I see anybody?"

"If you could stir up my lord a little?" said the secretary inquiringly.

"Well, that is difficult," said Lady Montfort, "perhaps impossible. But
you have all his influence, and when there is a point that presses you
must let me know."

"If he would only speak to his agents?" said the secretary, "but they
say he will not, and he has a terrible fellow in ----shire, who I hear
is one of the stewards for a dinner to Sir Robert."

"I have stopped all that," said Lady Montfort. "That was Odo's doing,
who is himself not very sound; full of prejudices about O'Connell, and
all that stuff. But he must go with his party. You need not fear about
him."

"Well! it is a leap in the dark," said the secretary.

"Oh! no," said Lady Montfort, "all will go right. A starving people must
be in favour of a government who will give them bread for nothing. By
the by, there is one thing, my dear Mr. Secretary, you must remember. I
must have one seat, a certain seat, reserved for my nomination."

"A certain seat in these days is a rare gem," said the secretary.

"Yes, but I must have i