284
WYLDER'S HAJVD.
of the conjugal administration of Lake, to allow anything
seriously to stand in the Tray of my proposed trip.
There was a postscript to Lake's letter which might
have opened my eyes as to the motives of this pressing
invitation, which I pleased myself by thinking, though
penned by Captain Lake, came in reality from his beauti-
ful young bride.
This small appendix was thus conceived: —
"P. S.—Tom Wealdon, as usual, deep in elections,
under the rose, begs you kindly to bring down whatever
you think to be the best book or books on the subject,
and he will remit to your bookseller. Order them in his
name, but bring them down with you."
So I was a second time going down to Brandon as hon-
orary counsel, without knowing it. My invitations, I fear,
were obtained, if not under false pretences, at least upon
false estimates, and the laity rated my legal lore too high-
I reached Brandon rather late. The bride had retired
for the night. I had a very late dinner — in fact a sup-
per — in the parlor. Lake sat with me chatting, rather
cleverly, not pleasantly. Wealdon was at Brandon about
sessions business, and as usual full of election stratagems
and calculations. Stanley volunteered to assure me he
had not the faintest idea of looking for a constituency. I
really believe — and at this distance of time I may use
'strong language in a historical sense — that Captain Lake
was the greatest liar I ever encountered with. He seemed
to do it without a purpose — by instinct, or on principle
— and would contradict himself solemnly twice or thrice
in a week, without seeming to perceive it. I dare say he
lied always, and about everything. But it was in matters
of some moment that one perceived it.