the last echo had done humming in the roof, they waited together at the bottom of the organ-loft stairs, till they heard the well-known sound of his wooden leg stumping down; and, after an affectionate greeting, carried him off to lunch at Eleanor's.

And this was the result of Lord Edward's interview with Captain Hertford.

CHAPTER VI.

IT was a wild week this which followed. The "non-electors," who had begun by merely sneering at Peel's tergiversation, and rather laughing at the Bill; now had got earnest about it, in one way or another, and were showing a slight tendency to congregate. The more intelligent among them had found out, or had thought they had found out, what the intention of the Bill was. The great fact that the duty was to be reduced at once from sixteen to four shillings, was enough to excite them somewhat, for bread was dear. Their excitement was over pretty much, on Saturday morning when the Bill was passed, though, as far as this story is concerned, the Corn-bill was never passed at all. It was read a third time at four on Saturday morning, but, before we come to

that period, we shall not be thinking much about corn bills.

Austin was in a very vexed and excited state that week, and he said it was the Bill; nay, more, he actually believed it was the Bill, with which he had nothing whatever to do, not even having a vote for Westminster. He was excited and angry about Captain Hertford.

There was no doubt about one thing, according to the code of honour of those times. Austin had heard of threats uttered against him by a bully and an enemy, and had taken no notice of them.

This consideration was driving him mad all that week. He felt like a guilty man. What would the world say if they knew all? If they knew that he was in possession of Captain Hertford's language about him, and knew that he had not noticed it. It was terrible.

"What would the world say if it knew all?" Unluckily the world knew a little too much; and, as to what it would say, Austin found that out on Thursday.

Lord Charles was in his rooms with him in the afternoon, and making or trying to make Robin sit up in a corner and hold a pipe in his mouth. His

father had given his sister Minny a dog on her birthday, a spaniel dog, with long drooping ears on each side, like the speaker's wig, which would sit up and smoke a pencil-case; and so, why should not Austin's dog? Which circumstance shows that this desperate young Jacobin thought of something else beside the salvation of his country.

Austin was very silent and anxious. Whatever he thought about, the question always came back. What would they think if they knew?

Presently a man came in; an old friend; a very tall, awkward man ; a man who at Eton had been a long shambling lad, whose shoes were always coming off, and who never could be taught to swim, or to row, or to do anything in that line, except get in the way. A fellow who was always getting his eye blacked at cricket, and his ankle sprained at foot-ball. A fellow who was always top of his form, and was always up half the night doing other lads' impositions (or whatever they call those inflictions at Eton). A fellow who was always getting into trouble for some one else; who would have died sooner than betray another boy. Who, as a boy, had been beloved, reverenced, and bullied by everyone who knew him; a maker-up of quarrels; a

pleader at school with masters, at the University with dons; a high-hearted, noble creature, whose shoes were never tied, whose hair was always tangled, whose coat was never brushed, who went on till he developed into one of the shrewdest and most clearheaded lawyers of the day. Early in his career he had been christened "Daddy," which name always stuck to him, and will stick to him, even if he gets on the bench.

He had been to the United University Club, and had heard conversation there which made him go and seek Lord Charles. He had found Lord Edward, and having told him what was the matter, had heard from him of his last conversation with Captain Hertford. He had at once determined to speak to Austin himself. Also, hearing of what passed on that occasion, he thought that Austin was perfectly safe, or he would have cut his tongue out sooner than say what he did.

"Austin, I have been at the Club. Charles Barty, attend to me, and leave that dog alone. They have been talking of you there."

"Yes; a certain blackleg bully has been taking

your name in vain; and they were wondering why