knew how it would be, but tried to hope because you were hoping. My
poll is better than that of the last Liberal candidate, but Hollingford
remains a Tory stronghold. Shall I come to see you? I am worn out,
utterly exhausted, and can scarcely hold the pen. Perhaps a few days at
the sea-side would do me good, but what right have I to idle? If you
would like me to come, please wire to Alverholme Rectory. Possibly you
would rather I didn't bring my gloom, now you have Len with you and are
enjoying yourself. Above all, be quite frank. If you are too
disappointed to care to see me, in heaven's name, say so! You needn't
fear its effect upon me. I should be glad to have done with the world,
but I have duties to discharge. I wish you could have heard my last
speech, there were good things in it. You shall see my address of
thanks to those who voted for me; I must try to get it widely
circulated, for, as you know, it has more than local importance.
Breakspeare, good fellow, says that I have a great career before me; I
grin, and can't tell him the squalid truth. There are many things I
should like to speak about; my brain is feverishly active. I must try
to rest; another twenty-four hours of this strain, and the results
would be serious. In any case, wire to me--yes or no. If it is _no_, I
shall say 'so be it,' and begin at once to look out for some way of
earning bread and cheese. We shall be friends all the same."
Mrs. Woolstan was at Eastbourne. Having read Lashmar's letter, she
brooded for a few minutes, then betook herself to the post-office, and
telegraphed "Come at once." A few hours later she received a telegram
informing her that Lashmar would reach Eastbourne at eleven o'clock on
the next morning. At that hour, she waited in her lodgings on the
sea-front. A cab drove up; Lashmar was shown into the room.
He looked, indeed, much the worse for his agitations. His hand was hot;
he moved languidly, and seemed to be too tired to utter more than a few
words.
"Are you alone?"
"Quite. Len is down on the shore, and won't be back till half-past one."
"Would you--mind--if I lay down--on the sofa?"
"Of course not," replied Iris, regarding him anxiously. "You're not
ill, I hope?"
He took her hand, and pressed it against his forehead, with the most
melancholy of smiles. Having dropped onto the couch, he beckoned Iris
to take a chair beside him.
"What can I get for you?" she asked. "You must have some refreshment--"
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