The day was bright and frosty; and long before eight o'clock the little town was all alive with music, flags, cheering, and crowds passing to and fro. The polling-booth was exceedingly commodious and well constructed, with a view to the most rapid access and departure of the voters. By eight o'clock there were more than a couple of thousand persons collected before the booth; and--significant evidence of the transient nature of yesterday's excitement!--the yellow colors appeared as five to one. Just before eight o'clock, up drove Mr. Titmouse, in a dog-cart, from which he jumped out amid the cheers of almost all present, and skipped on to the bench behind his own check-clerk, with the intention of remaining there all day to acknowledge the votes given for him! But Mr. Delamere, with a just delicacy and pride, avoided making his appearance either at or near the booth, at all events till the voting was over. The first vote given was that of Obadiah Holt, the gigantic landlord of the Hare and Hounds, and for Mr. Delamere; the event being announced by a tremendous groan; but no one ventured any personal incivility to the laughing giant that passed through them. A loud cheer, as well as a sudden bobbing of the head on the part of Titmouse, announced that the second vote had been recorded for him; and, indeed, during the next twenty minutes he polled fifteen for Delamere's eight. At _nine_ o'clock the poll stood thus-- Titmouse 31 Delamere 18 -- Majority 13 Steadily adhering to Mr. Crafty's system, at _ten_ o'clock the poll stood-- Titmouse 53 Delamere 29 -- Majority 24 At _eleven_ o'clock-- Titmouse 89 Delamere 41 -- Majority 48 At _twelve_ o'clock-- Titmouse 94 Delamere 60 -- Majority 34 At _one_ o'clock-- Titmouse 129 Delamere 84 -- Majority 45