eminently calculated to
create in a place ordinarily quiescent and undisturbed: groups of men
were scattered in different parts, conversing with great eagerness;
while here and there some Demosthenes of the town, impatient of the
coming strife, was haranguing his little knot of admiring friends,
and preparing his oratorical organs by petty skirmishing for the grand
battle of the morrow. Now and then the eye roved upon the gaunt forms
of Lord Ulswater's troopers, as they strolled idly along the streets, in
pairs, perfectly uninterested by the great event which set all the
more peaceable inmates of the town in a ferment, and returning, with
a slighting and supercilious glance, the angry looks and muttered
anathemas which, ever and anon, the hardier spirits of the petitioning
party liberally bestowed upon them.

As Wolfe and his comrade entered the main street, the former was
accosted by some one of his compatriots, who, seizing him by the arm,
was about to apprise the neighbouring idlers, by a sudden exclamation,
of the welcome entrance of the eloquent and noted republican. But Wolfe
perceived and thwarted his design.

"Hush!" said he, in a low voice; "I am only now on my way to an old
friend, who seems a man of influence in these parts, and may be of avail
to us on the morrow; keep silence, therefore, with regard to my coming
till I return. I would not have my errand interrupted."

"As you will," said the brother spirit: "but whom have you here,
a fellow-labourer?" and the reformer pointed to Cole, who, with an
expression of shrewd humour, blended with a sort of philosophical
compassion, stood at a little distance waiting for Wolfe, and eying the
motley groups assembled before him.

"No," answered Wolfe; "he is some vain and idle sower of unprofitable
flowers; a thing who loves poetry, and, for aught I know, writes it: but
that reminds me that I must rid myself of his company; yet stay; do you
know this neighbourhood sufficiently to serve me as a guide?"

"Ay," quoth the other; "I was born within three miles of the town."

"Indeed!" rejoined Wolfe; "then perhaps you can tell me if there is any
way of reaching a place called Mordaunt Court without passing through
the more public and crowded thoroughfares."

"To be sure," rejoined the brother spirit; "you have only to turn to the
right up yon hill, and you will in an instant be out of the purlieus
and precincts of W----, and on your shortest road to Mordaunt Court;