At this improvised banquet speeches were of course delivered, toasts were drunk, and songs were sang, until the _finale_,--a medley of variations from "Rule Brittania," "God Save the Queen," and "We won't go Home till Morning,"--which last chorus embodied a resolution that the patriotic admirers of Fipps did faithfully perform. Out of this party a committee was formed by the sober men; for, let it be observed, Smith--that is, I mean Fipps--kept faith by keeping sober with a constant eye to results; and all now was expected to go on merrily as a marriage-bell. The next day was spent very much as the previous one had been, except that the third and popular candidate, as a matter of form, called upon a number of respectable inhabitants, and went through the _rôle_ of a candidate's duties, such as shaking hands with one or two loungers in front of the hotel clad in soiled smock-frocks, kissing a few slobbering babies, talking pleasantly to the voters' wives, and expounding principles to the voters themselves. On this day the attorney of Mr. Twitch sent a note by hand to the attorney of Mr. Jollefat, proposing that these ravens should meet in confidence, and without prejudice, to discuss a matter of importance to both the candidates. Mr. Jollefat's legal adviser replied by assenting to the conference. They met. Fipps's candidature was the theme of discussion. Twitch's attorney said he had telegraphed to Brookes's, and the Reform, and to Mr. Coppock, but he could learn nothing about Fipps. He was not known to the party, and they thought he must be some adventurer, whose wealth, if it had any other than an imaginary existence at all, must be grossly exaggerated. Mr. Jollefat's attorney said that he had in like manner inquired at the Carlton, but could learn nothing about their opponent. The Liberal was discouraged; the Conservative did not take the matter to heart. They were agreed that nothing could be done to spoil the new candidate. My man went to a local printer and got some forms printed with counterfoils, much after the manner of tradesmen's "delivery note-books" or bankers' cheques, the use of which will immediately be seen. He also contrived to make the acquaintance of a few leaders of the people,--what the French would call "men of action,"--not spouters or loudly boasting partisans.