's defiance was most likely
nothing but a ruse; that by showing himself resolved, he might have
secured at least the thousand pounds. Then he cursed the man Marks,
whose political schemes would betray the valuable secret, and make it
certain that none of that more substantial assistance promised by
Quarrier would ever be given. And yet, it was not disagreeable to
picture Quarrier's rage when he found that the bribe had been expended
to no purpose. If he had felt animosity against the wealthy man before
meeting him face to face, he now regarded him with a fiercer
malevolence. It was hard to relinquish Lilian, and harder still to have
no means of revenging himself upon her and her pretended husband.
Humiliated by consciousness of the base part he had played, he wished
it in his power to inflict upon them some signal calamity.

On the next day, when he was newly arrayed from head to foot, and
jingled loose sovereigns in his pocket, this tumult of feelings
possessed him even more strongly. Added to his other provocations was
the uncertainty whether Marks had yet taken action. Save by returning
to Polterham, he knew not how to learn what was happening there.
To-morrow a Polterham newspaper would be published; he must wait for
that source of intelligence. Going to a news-agent's, he discovered the
name of the journal, and at once posted an order for a copy to be sent
to him.

In the meantime, he was disposed to taste some of the advantages of
opulence. His passions were awakened; he had to compensate himself for
years lost in suffering of body and mind. With exultant swagger he
walked about the London streets, often inspecting his appearance in a
glass; for awhile he could throw aside all thought of the future,
relish his freedom, take his licence in the way that most recommended
itself to him.

The hours did not lag, and on the following afternoon he received the
newspaper for which he was waiting. He tore it open, and ran his eye
over the columns, but they contained no extraordinary matter. Nothing
unexpected had befallen; there was an account of the nomination, and
plenty of rancour against the Radicals, but assuredly, up to the hour
of the _Mercury's_ going to press, no public scandal had exploded in
Polterham.

What did it mean? Was Marks delaying for some definite reason? Or had
he misrepresented his motives? Was it a private enmity he had planned
to gratify--now frustrated by the default of his instrument?

He h