CHAPTER LX.
IN WHICH DAME DUTTON IS VISITED.
Captain Lake was in London. We know he cauie
about electioneering matters; but he had not yet seen
Leverett. Perhaps on second thoughts he rightly j udged
tiiat Leverett knew no more than he did of the matter. It
depended on the issue of the great debate that was draw-
ing nigh. The Minister himself could not tell whether
tiie dissolution was at hand; and could no more postpone
it, when the time came, than he could adjourn an eclipse.
Notwithstanding the late whist party of the previous
night, the gallant Captain made a very early toilet. With
his little bag in his hand, he went downstairs, thinking un-
pleasantly, I believe, and jumped into the Hansom that
awaited him at the door, telling the man to go to the —
station. They had hardly turned the corner, however,
when he popped his head forward and changed the direc-
tion.
He looked at his watch. He had quite time to make
his visit, and save the down-train after.
Captain Lake looked peevish and dangerous, as he al-
ways did, when he was anxious. In fact he did not know
what the next ten minutes might bring him. He was
thinking what had best be done in any and every contin-
gency. Was he still abroad, or had he arrived; was he
in Shive's Court, or, cursed luck! had he crossed him
yesterday by the down-train, and was he by this time
closeted with Larkin in the Lodge? Lake, so to speak,
stood at his wicket, and that accomplished bowler, For-