Already she had assured him that it would disappoint her greatly not to
go. Lilian meant, of course, that she could not bear to disappoint
_him_, and to make confusion in their hostess's arrangements. There was
a weight upon her heart which made it a great effort even to move, to
speak; but she hoped to find strength when the time came.

"You are quite sure that he has gone, Denzil--gone for good?"

"I am perfectly sure of it. You needn't have another moment's fear."

He tried to believe it. By this time, if he had kept his promise,
Northway was in London. But what faith was to be put in such a man's
declarations? It might be that the secret was already known to other
people; between now and polling-day there might come the crowning
catastrophe. Yet the man's interest seemed to impose silence upon him,
and for Lilian's sake it was necessary to affect absolute confidence.

They went to the dinner, and the evening passed without accident.
Lilian was universally admired; pallor heightened her beauty, and the
assurance of outlived danger which Denzil had succeeded in imparting
gave to her conversation a life and glow that excited interest in all
who spoke with her.

"Mr. Quarrier," said the hostess, playfully, in an aside, "if you were
defeated at Polterham, I don't think you ought to care much. You have
already been elected by such a charming constituency!"

But there followed a night of sleeplessness. If exhaustion pressed down
her eyelids for a moment, some image of dread flashed upon her brain
and caused her to start up with a cry. Himself worn out and suffering a
reaction of despondency, Quarrier more than once repented what he had
done. In Lilian's state of health such a shock as this might have
results that would endanger her life. She had not a strong
constitution; he recalled the illness of a year ago, and grew so
anxious that his fits of slumber gave him no refreshment, In the early
dawn, finding that she was awake, he spoke to her of the necessity of
avoiding excitement during the next few days.

"I wish you could go away till the affair is over."

"Oh, there is no need of that! I couldn't be away from you."

"Then at all events keep quietly at home. There'll be the deuce of an
uproar everywhere to-day."

"We shall lunch at Mary's, you know. I had rather be there than sitting
alone."

"Well, Molly will be good company for you, I dare say. But do try not
to excite yourself. Don't talk much; we'll te