'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 _I_ say he knows Wealdon pretty well--he may look on it as settled. That will be a spoke in Sir Harry's wheel.' 'Sir Harry who?' said Lake. 'Bracton. I think it's only to spoil your game, you see,' answered Wealdon. 'Abundance of malice; but I don't think he's countenanced?' '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 struggle. 'Who can this be?' said Lake, looking at the address of one of these. 'Very like my hand,' and he examined the seal. It was only a large wafer-stamp, so he broke it open, and drew out a shabby, very ill-written scroll. He turned suddenly away, talking the while, but with his eyes upon the note, and then he folded, or rather crumpled it up, and stuffed it into his pocket, and continued his talk; but it was now plain to me there was something more on his mind, and he was thinking of the shabby letter he had just received. But, no matter; the election was the pressing topic, and Lake was soon engaged in it again. There was now a grand _coup_ under discussion--the forestalling of all the horses and vehicles along the line of railway, and in all the principal posting establishments throughout the county. 'They'll want to keep it open for a bid from the other side. It is a heavy item any way; and if you want to engage them now, you'll have to give double what they got last time.' But Lake was not to be daunted. He wanted the seat, and would stick at nothing to secure it; and so, Wealdon got instructions, in his own phrase, to go the whole animal. As I could be of no possible use in local details, I left the council of war sitting, intending a stroll in the grounds. In the hall, I met the mistress of the house, looking very handsome, but with a certain witch-like beauty, very pale, something a little haggard in her great, dark eyes, and a strange, listening look. Was it watchfulness? was it suspicion? She was dressed gravely but richly, and received me kindly--and, strange to say, with a smile that, yet, was not joyful. 'I hope she is happy. Lake is such a beast; I hope he does not bully her.' In truth, there were in her exquisite features the traces of that mysterious misery and fear which seemed to fall wherever Stanley Lake's ill-omened confidences were given.