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.
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