416
WYLDER'S HAND.
"You'll have Jennings, of course; but they are talk-
ing of four different men, already, to take Sir Harry Twis-
den's place. He'll resign; that's past a doubt now. He
has his retiring address written; Lord Edward Mordun
read it; and he told FitzStephen on Sunday, after church,
that he'd never sit again."
"Here, by Jove, is a letter from Mowbray," said Lake,
opening it. "All about his brother George. Hears I'm
up for the county. Lord George ready to join and go
halves. What shall I say?"
"Could not have a better man. Tell him you desire
no better, and will bring it at once before your committee;
and let him know the moment they meet; and tell him 1
say he knows Wealdon pretty well — he may look on it
as settled. That will be *» spoke jn Sir Harry's wheel."
"Sir Harry who?" said Lake.
"Bracton. I think its only to spoil your game, you
see," answered Wealdon.
"Abundance of malice; but I don't think he's coun-
tenanced?"
"He'll try to get the start of you; and if he does, one
or other must go to the wall; for Lord George is too
strong to be shook out. Do you get forward at once;
that's your plan, Captain."
Then the Captain recurred to his letters, which were a
larger pack than usual this morning, chatting all the time
with Wealdon and me on the tremendous topic, and tossing
aside every letter that did not bear on the coming strug-
gle.
"Who can this be?" said Lake, looking at the address
of one of these, i' Very like my hand," and he examined
the seal. It was ytlih a large wafer-stamp, so he broke it
open, and drew ojjt a\habby, very ill-written scroll) He
turned suddenly awayMtalking the while, but with his