? Why, my dear fellow, we shall poll two to one, at
the lowest computation! I've half lost my pleasure in the fight; I feel
ashamed to hit out with all my strength when I make a speech--it's like
pounding an invalid!"

"Then I congratulate you in advance, Mrs. Quarrier. If we are long away
from England, the chances are I shall have to make my next call upon
you in Downing Street!"

"Some day, old boy--some day!" assented Denzil, with a superb smile.

There followed much handshaking, and the visitors returned to their
carriage. As it moved away, Glazzard put his head out of the window,
waved his hand, and cried merrily:

"Quarrier for ever!"

CHAPTER XX

In the interviews with Mr. Marks, Arthur Northway did not show at his
best. Whoever that scheming personage might be, his knowledge and his
air of condescension oppressed the needy young man, made him conscious
of a hang-dog look, and a helpless promptitude to sell himself for a
few coins. It was not thus that Northway, even after his unpleasant
experiences, viewed himself in relation to the world. He had decidedly
more intellect than is often found in commercial clerks--the class to
which he belonged by birth and breeding--and in spite of checks he
believed himself destined to no common career. Long musing had taught
him the rashness of his youthful endeavours to live largely; he was now
aware that his talents must ally themselves with patience, with a
careful scrutiny of possibilities.

Lying awake in the night, he thought with anything but satisfaction of
the bargain to which he had pledged himself. To discover the woman who
was by law his wife would undoubtedly be a good beginning now that he
had every disposition to fix himself in a steady course, but he saw no
advantage whatever in coming before a bench of magistrates and
re-opening the story of his past. It would be pleasant to deal a blow
at this man Quarrier; but, if Marks had told him the truth, Quarrier
was in any case doomed to exposure. Was it not possible to act at once
with prudence and with self-respect, to gain some solid benefit without
practice of rascality? It involved breaking his word, but was he bound
to keep faith with a man who proceeded on the assumption that he was
ready for any base dealing? The money in his pocket he might find an
opportunity of paying back. In this matter before him, he was
undeniably an injured man. Lilian was treating him very badly indeed,
very unfairly.