ke, a rat-tat sounded from without, and, having advised
Lilian to lock the door, Mrs. Wade crossed to the other room. Northway
entered, grave and nervous.

"I hope you will excuse my coming again," he began, as the widow
regarded him with silent interrogation. "You spoke to me last time in
such a very kind and friendly way. Being in a difficulty, I thought I
couldn't do better than ask your advice."

"What is the difficulty, Mr. Northway?"

Her suave tone reassured him, and he seated himself. His real purpose
in coming was to discover, if possible, whether Quarrier's position was
still unassailed. He had a vague sense that this Mrs. Wade, on whatever
grounds, was sympathetically disposed to him; by strengthening the
acquaintance, he might somehow benefit himself.

"First, I should like to know if all has gone smoothly since I went
away?"

"Smoothly?--Quite, I think."

"It still seems certain that Mr. Quarrier will be elected to-morrow?"

"Very likely indeed."

"He looked about him, and smoothed his silk hat--a very different
article from that he had formerly worn. Examining him, Mrs. Wade was
amused at the endeavour he had made to equip himself like a gentleman."

"What else did you wish to ask me, Mr. Northway?"

"It's a point of conscience. If you remember, Mrs. Wade, it was you who
persuaded me to give up all thought of parting those persons."

"I tried to do so," she answered, with a smile. "I thought it best for
your interests as well as for theirs."

"Yes, but I fear that I had no right to do it. My conscience rebukes
me."

"Does it, really?--I can't quite see"----

She herself was so agitated that features and voice would hardly obey
her will. She strove to concentrate her attention upon Northway's
words, and divine their secret meaning. His talk continued for awhile
in the same strain, but confused, uncertain, rambling. Mrs. Wade found
it impossible to determine what he aimed at; now and then she suspected
that he had been drinking. At length he stood up.

"You still think I am justified in--in making terms with Mr. Quarrier?"

"What else are you inclined to do?" the widow asked, anxiously.

"I can't be sure yet what I shall eventually do. Perhaps you would let
me see you again, when the election is over?"

"If you promise me to do nothing--but keep out of sight--in the
meanwhile."

"Yes, I'll promise that," he said, with deliberation.

She was loth to dismiss him, yet saw no use in furt