414
WYLDER'S HAJVD.
the clumsiest dog in England — nothing clever — no in-
vention — only a bully — the people hate him. Wealdon's
my man. I wish he'd give up that town-clerkship — it
can't be worth much, and it's in his way — I'd make it up
to him somehow. Will you just look at that — it's the
"Globe"—only six lines, and tell me what you make of
it?"
"It does look like it, certainly."
"Wealdon and I have jotted down a few names here,"
said Lake, sliding a list of names before me; "you know
some of them, I think — rather a strong committee; don't
you think so? Those fellows with the red cross before
have promised."
"Yes; it's very strong —capital!" I said, crunching
my toast. "Is it thought the writs will follow the disso-
lution unusually quickly?"
"They must, unless they want a very late session. But
it is quite possible the Government may win — a week ago
they reckoned upon eleven."
And as we were talking the post arrived.
"Here they are!" cried Lake, and grasping the first
morning paper he could seize on, he tore it open with
a greater display of energy than I had seen that languid
gentleman exhibit on any former occasion.
CHAPTER LXV.
LADY MACBETH.
"Here it is," said fche Captain. "Beaten " — " three
votes — how the devil wk,s that ? — there it is by Jove —