Gilly's knowledge and assent--it was more than assent; it was advocacy--made the project real and present. Only the question of ways and means and of his own inclination remained. As to the latter Andy was no longer able to doubt. His pleasure at Gilly's attitude was indeed due in part to the affection for himself which it displayed, but it had been too eager to be accounted for wholly by that. His heart rejoiced because Gilly set him free, so far as the business was concerned, to follow his desire. Only that little book from the bank still held up its finger in its wonted gesture of cautious admonition. When it reckoned the figures involved, the little white book might be imagined to turn paler still. At Meriton--where Andy arranged to spend the Saturday night with Jack Rock--the conspiracy ruled, even as in London. Lord Meriton, Belfield, and Wigram met him with the air of men who had already considered and overcome all difficulties. "The fact is, Mr. Hayes," said his lordship, "we were fools over this business, till Foot put us right. We tried the three or four possible men in the Division, and for one reason or another none of them could accept. So, much against my will--indeed against my vote; I hate a carpet-bagger--it was decided to approach headquarters and ask for a man. Luckily Belfield wrote first to Foot--" "And Billy Foot wrote back, asking what the dickens we wanted a man from London for, when we had the very man for the job under our noses down here!" He smiled rather sadly. "Meriton has more than one string to its bow, Andy." "I've taken every pains to sound opinion, Mr. Hayes," said Wigram. "It's most favourable. Your speeches made an excellent impression. There will be no difficulty in obtaining adoption by the Association, if you come forward under the proper auspices." "Oh, we'll look after the auspices," said Meriton. "That'll be all right." "But I've no influence, no connections, no standing--" "We haven't flattered you, Mr. Hayes," Meriton interrupted, smiling. "We've told you that we made efforts in other quarters." "If it pleases you, Andy, you shall regard yourself as Hobson's choice," said Belfield, with a chuckle. "Better than an outsider, anyhow!" Mr. Wigram chimed in. Andy's modesty was again defeated. The Jack Rock difficulty, which had seemed so serious to Harry Belfield, was acknowledged--but acknowledged only to be brushed on one side by a determined zeal. "But I--I can't possibly afford it!" Andy was in his last ditch, but then it was a wide and formidable one. The conspirators, however, attacked it without the least dismay.