"Exactly. Well, just at the time, old Prescott died, you may remember
that Mr. Showers, the member of the Government, was unseated on
petition from some borough or other, and came down here post-haste to
get re-elected. But he had Sir Percy Vivyan against him, and, as I
know to my cost, this benighted country is not fond of those who
preach the gospel of progress. Bellamy, who is a stout Radical, as you
know--chiefly, I fancy, because there is more to be got out of that
side of politics--got the job as Showers' agent. But, three days
before, it became quite clear that his cause, cabinet minister or not,
was hopeless. Then it was that Mrs.--I beg her pardon, Lady--Bellamy
came to the fore. Just as Showers was thinking of withdrawing, she
demanded a private interview with him. Next day she posted off to old
Sir Percy, who is a perfect fool of the chivalrous school, and was
desperately fond of her, and, _mirabile dictu_, that evening Sir Percy
withdraws on the plea of ill-health or some such rubbish, and Showers
walks over. Within three months, Mr. Bellamy becomes Sir John Bellamy,
nominally for his services as town-clerk of Roxham, and I hear that
old Sir Percy is now perfectly rampant, and goes about cursing her
ladyship up hill and down dale, and declaring that he has been
shockingly taken-in. How our mutual friend worked the ropes is more
than I can tell you, but she did work them, and to some purpose."

"She is an uncommonly handsome woman."

"Ah! yes, you're right there, she is A1; but let us stroll out a
little; it is a fine evening for the 30th of April. To-morrow will be
the 1st of May, so it will, a day neither of us are likely to forget."

Philip winced at the allusion, but said nothing.